🥃 Mojito
Cuban long drink of white rum, fresh lime, mint, sugar and soda; the IBA recipe uses 45 ml of rum; the oldest known recipe is from a Cuban book of 1927.
Mojito is a Cuban long drink of white rum, fresh lime juice, mint, sugar and soda water. The International Bartenders Association (IBA) lists it among its Contemporary Classics. The IBA recipe calls for 45 ml of white Cuban rum, mixed with lime juice, six mint sprigs and two teaspoons of white cane sugar.
Origins. According to Difford's Guide, a possible ancestor of the mojito is the «draque»: a drink of cane spirit, sugar, lime and mint, named after Francis Drake, who was off Cuba in 1586. The earliest known recipe, «Mojo Criollo», was printed in a Cuban book of 1927, and the word «Mojito» first appeared on the menu of the Sloppy Joe's bar for 1931–1932.
The Hemingway legend. It is often said that the first mojito was made at the Havana bar La Bodeguita del Medio, and that Ernest Hemingway drank it there. Difford's Guide notes there is no evidence for this: the writer's books do not mention the mojito or this bar. The origin of the name is also unclear; it is traced to the Spanish «mojar» («to wet») or to the word «mojo».
Preparation. The mint is pressed with sugar and lime, a little soda is added, then ice, then rum, and the drink is topped with soda. Press gently so the leaves do not turn bitter. Garnish with a mint sprig and a lime wedge.
Why this matters to you. Mint and soda hide the strength: a glass holds a full measure of rum. A name on a menu does not guarantee one fixed recipe, so the bar chooses the sugar and rum itself. The WHO reminds: there is no safe level of alcohol.
Facts
| Year founded | Cuba; «Mojo Criollo» recipe 1927, name «Mojito» on a menu of 1931–1932 |
|---|---|
| Raw material | white rum (45 ml per IBA), lime juice, mint, cane sugar, soda water |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Mojito → affects → 🍷 Alcohol and health ← affects ← 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Made from
- 🥃 Rum
- What it contains
- 🍬 Sugar
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Traditions
- 🥃 Bacardi Limited
- Part of
- 🥃 Rum
- Related to
- 🥃 Cuban rum (Cuba)
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Cuba Libre, 🥃 Daiquiri, 🥃 Piña Colada, 🥃 Piña Colada, 🥃 Planter's Punch, 🥃 Planter's Punch
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that Hemingway invented the mojito at La Bodeguita del Medio?
No, there is no evidence. According to Difford's Guide, the writer's books do not mention the mojito or this bar; the legend spread later.
What goes into a mojito according to the IBA recipe?
45 ml white Cuban rum, 20 ml fresh lime juice, six mint sprigs, two teaspoons of white cane sugar and soda water.
Where does the name mojito come from?
It is not known for certain. It is traced to the Spanish «mojar» («to wet») or to «mojo»; in print, «Mojito» appears on a menu of 1931–1932.
What is the oldest known mojito recipe?
The «Mojo Criollo» recipe from a Cuban book of 1927; its predecessor is considered the 16th-century drink «draque».
Why is the mint pressed rather than crushed?
To release the oils from the leaves without tearing them: too much pressure gives a bitter taste.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🥃 Daiquiri — Classic Cuban cocktail of white rum, fresh lime juice and sugar, shaken with ice; the name comes from the town of Daiquirí near Santiago de Cuba, around 1898.
- 🥃 Bacardi Limited — Privately held spirits company founded in 1862 in Santiago de Cuba; global headquarters in Hamilton, Bermuda; more than 200 brands and labels.
- 🥃 Cuban rum (Cuba) — Rum from Cuban cane molasses aged in white oak casks; the application for the EU GI “Cuba” was published in 2023.
- 🍷 Drunk driving — Never drive after drinking wine: alcohol slows your reactions.
Similar
🥃 Piña Colada · 🥃 Mary Pickford · 🥃 Planter's Punch · 🥃 Cuba Libre · 🥃 Zombie · 🥃 Jungle Bird
Sources
- IBA — International Bartenders Association: Mojito (Contemporary Classics; 45 ml white Cuban rum, 20 ml fresh lime juice, 6 mint sprigs, 2 tsp white cane sugar, soda water; muddle mint with sugar and lime, ice, rum, top with soda)
- Difford's Guide: Mojito cocktail history — possible ancestor Draque (cane spirit, sugar, lime, mint; Francis Drake off Cuba 1586), earliest known recipe 'Mojo Criollo' in a 1927 Cuban book, name 'Mojito' on the Sloppy Joe's Bar 1931–32 souvenir menu; the La Bodeguita del Medio / Hemingway story is unsupported
- Difford's Guide: Mojito cocktail recipe
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)