Content

• Ingredients
• Steps
• Method 1 of 2: Preparing the mint for the mojito
• Method 2 of 2: Making a mojito
• What do you need

Indulge in this sophisticated and refreshing mint, citrus and sugar drink that is sure to ease the summer heat. Even without rum, this classic Cuban drink is full of flavor. Read on to learn how to make a traditional (non-alcoholic) mojito, or try another recipe with fruit juices to add a new flavor to the drink.

Ingredients

Servings: 1

• Mint leaves
• 1 teaspoon (4 g) sugar
• Sugar syrup
• 30 ml fresh lime juice
• Crushed ice

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Preparing the mint for the mojito

1. 1 Find something to crush the ingredients with. Unless you're a bartender, you probably don't have a mudler somewhere, but crushing mint is an essential part of making a good mojito. If you don't have a mudler, try improvising and using a wooden spoon or even the end of a rolling pin.
   • If you do have a mudler, make sure it is not made from treated wood. All varnished items eventually wear out and the varnish can get into the drink.
2. 2 Place the mint in the bottom of a thick, sturdy glass that will not break for sure. Add sugar there so that its coarse texture helps crush the mint. The glass should not be thin and fragile, otherwise it may break.
   • Be sure to cut off the stems from the mint leaves, otherwise the drink will turn out to be bitter.
   • Most often, speckled mint leaves are used to make mojito, but if you wish, you can experiment with different flavors and add peppermint or scented mint.
3. 3 Press down on the mint with a mudler (or other tool) and turn several times. Do not chop or crush the mint leaves to avoid releasing the chlorophyll in the leaf veins. Chlorophyll is very bitter and will make the mojito taste bad.
4. 4 Stop when you smell the mint or when the leaves begin to tear.The mint leaves should remain intact, bruises and small breaks are acceptable. The purpose of the crush is to release the aromatic oils from the leaves, and if you remember them faintly, these oils will mix into the drink.
   • If you mash the leaves with sugar, the oils will penetrate into the sugar and the drink will become richer.
5. 5 Crumple the leaves in your hand if you don't want to crush them. If you cut the mint, then chlorophyll will come out of it and tiny pieces of mint will float in the drink. If a piece of mint gets stuck in your throat, it ruins the pleasure of eating the mojito.

Method 2 of 2: Making a mojito

1. 1 Take a tall, strong glass and squeeze the mint leaves, 1 teaspoon (5 g) sugar, and syrup in it. In a low glass (like a highball), the mojito will feel too crowded. The mojito should contain a lot of ice and liquid, as it is a summer drink to be taken in small sips while enjoying the taste. A small glass can also disturb the proportions of the drink.
   • Since the sugar cannot completely dissolve in the cold liquid, the sugar syrup will make the drink sweet. You can skip the syrup and use only granulated sugar, but keep in mind that almost all the sugar will remain at the bottom of the glass.
   • Turbinado sugar has a slight molasses flavor that some people like very much, but its granules are too large to dissolve in a cold drink. If you want to add this sugar, you will have to grind it in a spice mill or coffee grinder first.
2. 2 Squeeze one large or medium lime to make 30 ml of juice. If one lime is not enough, squeeze the juice out of the second. To get as much juice as possible, place the lime on the table, press down lightly and roll it out by hand. This will make the lime softer and easier to juice.
   • Cut the lime in half and place one half on a hand citrus press. The flat part of the lime should face the rounded part of the press. There should be small juice holes at the bottom of the container.
   • Hold the abs over a bowl or glass.
   • Close the press by pressing the top against the lime.
   • Squeeze the handles of the press. When the top of the press has squeezed the lime, it will turn inside out and juice will flow out of the lime.
3. 3 Pour fresh lime juice into a glass with mint and sweetener. Leave the ingredients on for a few minutes to mix the flavors, then stir gently. If the juice is at room temperature, the sugar will begin to dissolve.
   • If you want to move away from the classic mojito recipe, now is the time! Try adding apple juice, pink grapefruit juice, lemonade, strawberry puree, or other fruit juice. You may be able to get a really amazing and pleasant combination of flavors!
4. 4 Fill the glass with ice to the top or at least three quarters. People are still debating whether to use crushed ice or ice cubes, so add what you want. After all, this is your drink.
   • Crushed ice will cool your drink faster, but also melt faster.
   • Make ice cubes with crushed mint leaves inside so that when it begins to melt, the drink will soak in the mint flavor.
5. 5 Fill the rest of the glass with sparkling water. If you wish, you can now change the recipe again and add ginger ale or lemonade instead of soda. You will get the same fizzy drink, but with a slightly different taste.
   • Garnish with mint sprigs, a wedge or slice of lime, or even a stirring stick.
   • If the mojito is too tart, add 1 teaspoon of sugar or more sugar syrup and stir.

What do you need

• Madler (or wooden spoon)
• Tall glass (pint or collins)