The Ultimate Mojito Drink Recipe to Make This Summer

When it comes to festive, summer cocktails, I like a margarita as much as the next gal, and I’ll certainly try a sip of rum punch at a pool party. But if I had to choose my favorite summer refresher to sip under the sun, I’d say a mojito every single time. That’s because this cocktail is fresh and citrusy without being overly sweet. The classic mojito drink recipe is just a few simple ingredients: light rum, mint, lime, club soda and a dash of sugar. On a hot day, that’s the precise combo I’m craving poolside.

The good news is you don’t need to be at some tropical resort or fantastic tiki bar to get the perfect mojito. Making one at home is pretty simple—and it’s a great way to use up that bumper crop of mint from your herb garden.

Before You Start: A Word About Rum

In this recipe, be sure to use a light rum. Light rum helps keep this drink—and other tropical drinks like pina coladas—light and refreshing. Golden and dark rums tend to have stronger flavors that are better suited for bolder cocktails or baking (love these rum-soaked recipes). Also, don’t use spiced rum in a mojito. The spices will overwhelm the fresh citrus and herbaceous flavors.

How to Make a Mojito at Home

You can follow this recipe from our deputy editor and mojito fanatic, James Schend. You’ll need:

• 2 lime wedges
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 2 mint sprigs
• 2 ounces light rum
• 1/2 cup club soda
• Ice
• Mint and lime slices to garnish

Step 1: Grab your muddler

The first step to a good mojito is muddling. Muddling is just mashing ingredients in the bottom of a cocktail glass to help release their flavors.

In the case of this classic mojito recipe, you start by squeezing the juice from two lime wedges into the bottom of a Collins glass (though your favorite cocktail glass will do just fine). Add in the wedges and two teaspoons of sugar and muddle with a cocktail muddler.

Editor’s Tip: Don’t have a muddler? No problem. A small wooden spoon will do the job just as well.

Step 2: Press the mint

Next, grab some fresh mint leaves and press them into the side of the glass. A gentle press with the side of a wooden spoon or muddler is all you need to release all that refreshing flavor.

Editor’s Tip: Be sure to only use the leaves from the mint and not the stems. The stems can be bitter and that’s not a flavor you want in your mojito.

Step 3: Top It Off

Finish off this drink by filling the glass with ice. Then add two ounces of light rum and top off with club soda. Use a long spoon to give this a quick stir, then finish off with mint and a lime wedge to garnish.

I think this cocktail is best sipped outside—next to a pool or on the beach is best. It’s a great match for these cool finger foods, too.

Put Your Own Twist on the Original Mojito Recipe

The classic mojito is simple and delicious. It’s also a great springboard for making your own mojito creations. Try these variations on the original mojito recipe:

• Try tequila: An easy way to switch up the mojito formula is to swap out the rum and use tequila instead.
• Swap the citrus: Lime is a great match for mint, but so are lemon, orange and grapefruit.
• Add berries: Boost the flavor of this cocktail by adding berries in addition to or instead of lime. We’ve got great recipes for a blackberry version and a blueberry option right here.
• Make it tropical with mango: Want this drink to really take you on a vacation? Try muddling some mango with the lime.
• Or make it tropical with coconut: Try coconut rum in place of light rum. For some extra coconut flavor, top with coconut-flavored sparkling water or coconut water.

Try Some More Summery Rum Drinks

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Guava Coconut Rum Cocktail

My beverage is so sensational it's like a taste of the tropics in a glass. The guava adds a touch of sweetness to this coconut drink. —Melanie Milhorat, New York, New York

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Black-Eyed Susan

The Kentucky Derby has the mint julep; the Preakness has the black-eyed Susan. The drink is a sunny mix of vodka, rum, and pineapple and orange juices to toast your special events.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Pina Coladas

Velvety-smooth texture and a taste of the tropics are what this tropical drink delivers. The easy-to-make drink can be mixed and chilled ahead of time. When ready to serve, just blend for a creamy and delicious beverage. —Linda Schend, Kenosha, Wisconsin

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Blueberry Mojitos

Blueberry and lime are two of my favorite flavors, so I added blueberries to my favorite mixed drink! This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled. To make simple syrup, combine 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water and cook over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved. Simple syrup will keep in the fridge for a week.—Michele Tungett, Rochester, Illinois

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Passion Fruit Hurricanes

This is our Test Kitchen’s version of the famous Hurricane beverage that's so popular in New Orleans. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Greendale, Wisconsin

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Cranberry Sparkler

The flavors of this refreshing cran-raspberry cocktail are great any time of year. In winter, the cranberry makes it a good fit for holiday parties; on a warm summer's night, the raspberry comes to the fore. It's a favorite for our girls' night! —Susan Stetzel, Gainesville, New York

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Pineapple Rum Punch

I created this with my favorite Bahamian juices. I got the inspiration for it from other Bahama punches I have sampled. —Pamela Vitti Knowles, Henderson, North Carolina

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Mojito Slush

Whether you're splashing poolside or watching the kids inside, this slushy beverage has just the right balance of minty crispness and limey tartness that's sure to tingle your taste buds. —Jessica Ring, Chicago, Illinois

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Santa’s Orange-Kissed Cocktail

Refreshing but not overly sweet, this drink is a festive choice for Christmas get-togethers. Serve it during cocktail hour, at dinner or even for brunch in place of mimosas. —Claire Beattie, Toronto, Ontario

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Maple Blackberry Mojito

This refreshing cocktail is how you take advantage of prime berry season during the summer months. I've also used other types of fruit, including raspberries, kiwi and strawberries. —Donna Noel, Gray, Maine

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Peachy Keen Daiquiris

You won’t mind breaking out the blender for these frosty fruit drinks—they’re a breeze to whip up. If you don't have fresh, use frozen peaches. A dash of grenadine gives the golden daiquire a blush of red.—Joan Antonen, Arlington, South Dakota

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Spiked Lemonade

Rum gives a tropical addition to this fabulous homemade lemonade. If you have vodka on hand, try that instead of the rum. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Mai Tai

This party favorite has been around for quite some time. It's not overly fruity and features a good blend of sweet and sour. For a splash of color, garnish with strawberries and lime.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Greendale, Wisconsin

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Ginger-Orange Refresher

“A sunset in a glass” is how your guests might describe this two-tone cocktail. With or without the spiced rum, it makes a refreshing thirst-quencher for parties any time of year.—Marybeth Mank, Mesquite, Texas

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Agua de Jamaica

This agua de jamaica recipe features an iced tea made from hibiscus—tart and deep red like cranberry juice. Add rum if you like. —Adan Franco, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Hop, Skip and Go

Here's a different drink for a beer-drinking crowd. It gets a touch of sweetness from lemonade. Make it in a blender for a frothy, fun look or mix in a pitcher for less foam.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Lisa Kaminski