The Mojito (pronounced mō-hee-tō) is a refreshing rum, mint and lime based cocktail served over ice with a splash of club soda. The perfect summer cocktail!
Cuba, the Mojito and Hemingway
Cuba is considered the birthplace of the Mojito, but its exact origins are the subject of much debate. One story traces the cocktail back to a drink known as El Draque that was originally comprised of mint, lime and crude cane spirits, such as aguardiente, and created by Sir Francis Drake, the notorious Elizabethan sea captain and pirate. Another theory traces the Mojito to African slaves who worked in the Cuban sugar cane fields during the 19th century.
However, the most popular of the claims to Mojito fame is that it was invented at Havana’s La Bodeguita del Medio in c. 1942 and made famous by author Ernest Hemingway. According to popular myth, the Mojito was Hemingway’s favorite drink at the bar, as evidenced by an autographed inscription on a white plaque displayed above the bar that says, My mojito in La Bodeguita, My daiquiri in El Floridita.
La Bodeguita del Medio
Havana, Cuba 2001
The origins of the name, “Mojito”, are similarly disputed. Some say that it comes from the Cuban lime-based sauce, mojo, used to flavor various dishes, such as chicken with mojo sauce. Others say it is derived from the Spanish word, mojadito, which means a little wet). Yet others say it came from the African word, mojo, which means to place a spell.
But regardless of which historical account is true or you want to believe, there is one thing that is absolutely indisputable: the Mojito Cocktail is deliciously refreshing and the perfect summer cocktail!
Read more about the history of the Mojito Cocktail here.
How to Make the Best Cuban Mojito Cocktail
The Mojito is made with five basic ingredients: rum, sugar, mint, lime, ice and club soda. It’s fairly simple to make, provided that you use good quality ingredients and make it by the traditional method of muddling the mint gently (forget the cocktail shaker!). Many Mojitos go awry when the mint is over-muddled (or shaken to death in a cocktail shaker), which causes the mint to release bitter flavors, and not to mention, breaks up the mint into too many annoying pieces that float around in your glass and get stuck in your teeth (yuck!)
Cuban Mojito Cocktail Recipe
• 2 tablespoons of white granulated sugar
• 1 ounce fresh lime juice
• 8 fresh mint leaves
• 1/2 a lime, quartered
• crushed ice (about 3/4 cup)
• 2 ounces light rum
• 2 ounces club soda
• mint sprig and/or lime wedge for garnish (optional)
Step 1: In an 8-inch tall glass, add the sugar, lime juice and mint leaves. Using a muddler (or wooden spoon), gently muddle the mint leaves for about 10 seconds or until the mint aromas are released.
Step 2: Add the quartered lime pieces, rum and ice to the glass. Gently stir (from top to bottom) to combine and bring the leaves up from the bottom of the glass.
Step 3: Serve with a straw, and garnish with a mint sprig and/or lime wedge (optional).
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