Non-alcoholic recipe
Virgin Mojito
Fresh mint, lime and simple syrup are gently pressed together before a chilled soda-water finish.
Ingredients
- 25 ml fresh lime juice
- 15 ml 1:1 simple syrup (equal weights sugar and water)
- 10 fresh mint leaves
- 120 ml soda water
Preparation
Place 10 fresh mint leaves in a highball glass with 15 ml 1:1 simple syrup and 25 ml fresh lime juice. Press the leaves gently two or three times with a muddler; do not shred them. Fill with cubed ice, add 120 ml chilled soda water and stir once from the bottom. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig and lime wheel.
Glassware
Highball glass over cubed ice
Garnish
1 mint sprig and 1 lime wheel
History
The Mojito is associated with Cuba, although accounts of its beginnings differ. The International Bartenders Association’s Mojito includes white rum; this Virgin Mojito is a spirit-free Mixology adaptation using the mint, lime, sweetener and soda structure, not an official IBA non-alcoholic specification.
Mixology View
Press mint lightly to release aroma without shredding the leaves, and add the soda last. Leaf size and syrup strength can affect the result; this is a measured, desk-developed version rather than a physically tasted formula.
Ingredient note
Wash the mint and lime before preparation. Sweetness varies with the simple syrup used.