How to make the perfect Mojito | Dreaming of cocktails & summer

Want to know how to make the perfect Mojito? Read on!

I was dreaming of cocktails and summer yesterday; winter has us well and truly in its grips. It snowed here yesterday morning!

Funnily enough, it snowed in November in the very first year we moved into this village too.

Proper snow. Big fat flakes that fell swiftly; then lay on the cold dry ground, like a blanket.

I remember feeling so excited.

We were in a rural village — we were snowed in — and for the first time ever, we had a car that could actually cope with the extreme conditions (should we desperately need more supplies).

We’d lived in the south for so long and had never — in all that time — had proper snow. It felt like such a treat for my boy to be given a couple of ‘snow days’ off work and it was lovely to cosy up indoors, with the snow falling silently outside.

We had no children back then — it was just me and him — and I relished any days that he was at home, midweek.

But anyway — sorry — I’ve massively gone off on a tangent!! Instead of reminiscing about days gone by, I actually wanted to share the news I received on Friday.

Festival Fun

We have been asked to be official bloggers for Camp Bestival again!!  So, SO excited.

It’s no secret that it’s my favourite family weekend of the summer.

Last year was unlike any other though, as it rained and rained. It was the first time — in a decade — that they had ever had prolonged rain on the weekend of the festival and it was a totally different experience. You can pop and have a look at my film if you have a spare few minutes; it really gives a feel for it.

It was still utterly brilliant regardless. And, in fact, the soggy conditions provoked a lovely camaraderie between all the revellers.

We definitely spent more time in our base camp that weekend though.

Good job we take our festival set up so seriously and have all the mod cons. As well as Dolly the caravan — we have a little event shelter with a mini bar in the corner.

Cocktails and Summer

recipe to show how to make the perfect Mojito
Photo Credit: The Listed Home.
recipe to show how to make the perfect Mojito
Photo Credit: The Listed Home.

Mr D takes all of his cocktail making equipment and treats all the adults in our camp to delicious concoctions; Espresso Martinis, Turbo Gin and Tonics and — my absolute favourite — the classic Mojito.

For me, Mojitos are synonymous with festivals.

They’re fresh, sweet, zesty and delicious. And although we drink them mainly in the summer,  there’s no reason why they can’t be drunk in the winter months as well.

Especially when you’re dreaming of warmer climes — it’s the perfect way to give you a little taste of sunshine.

So here’s the original mojito recipe we use to make the perfect Mojito cocktail.

recipe to show how to make the perfect Mojito
Photo Credit: The Listed Home.

How to make the Perfect Mojito

Mojito Ingredients {for one cocktail}

Half a lime
25ml lime juice — we use lime juice in a bottle from Waitrose these days (it’s much easier than juicing a whole bag of limes)
40ml sugar syrup —we make our own by boiling equal weights of sugar and water (ie 200g sugar to 200ml of water)
6-8 whole fresh mint leaves
50ml of the best rum you can afford — our favourite is Plantation 3 Stars White Rum
Ice
Soda Water

Hardware

Cocktail Shaker
Muddler
A Jig
Knife and board
Glasses — or Mojito mugs — to serve

Method

1. Cut your half a lime into chunky wedges.

recipe to show how to make the perfect Mojito — chopping the limes
Photo Credit: The Listed Home.
recipe to show how to make the perfect Mojito — line wedges
Photo Credit: The Listed Home.

2. Then take your cocktail shaker and add the lime wedges, lime juice, sugar syrup and mint leaves.

recipe to show how to make the perfect Mojito
Photo Credit: The Listed Home.
recipe to show how to make the perfect Mojito
Photo Credit: The Listed Home.
recipe to show how to make the perfect Mojito
Photo Credit: The Listed Home.
recipe to show how to make the perfect Mojito
Photo Credit: The Listed Home.

3. Then muddle.

To do this you need a muddler and some elbow grease.

A muddler is a cocktail kit basic. It’s like a pestle — without the mortar.

Our favourite is a copper muddler from 31Dover. Basically you’re using it to squash the lime wedges and mint together, to release all their aromatic oils and flavours.

recipe to show how to make the perfect Mojito
Photo Credit: The Listed Home.
recipe to show how to make the perfect Mojito
Photo Credit: The Listed Home.

4. Next, pour over the rum and throw in a good handful of ice cubes.

plantation rum for the perfect Mojito
Plantation Artisan Rum
Photo Credit: The Listed Home.
plantation rum for the perfect Mojito
Photo Credit: The Listed Home.
plantation rum for the perfect Mojito
Photo Credit: The Listed Home.

5. Pop on the lid of the cocktail shaker — firmly — and shake (in your best Tom Cruise stylee) until the outside of the shaker gets almost too cold to hold.

Caro showing how to make the perfect Mojito cocktail
Photo Credit: The Listed Home.

6. Then take off the lid and empty the contents into your glass or Mojito mug.

If you want something a little more refined you can use the strainer on the cocktail shaker to pour it in but, personally,  I love all the lime wedges and mint in mine so I don’t generally do that.

Photo Credit: The Listed Home.

7. Top up with soda water (and a bit more ice if necessary).

Photo Credit: The Listed Home.
Photo Credit: The Listed Home.

8. Garnish with more lime wedges — and a sprig of mint — if you’re feeling fancy.

how to make the perfect Mojito cocktail
Photo Credit: The Listed Home.
recipe showing how to make the perfect Mojito cocktail
Photo Credit: The Listed Home.

9. Serve.

And drink ASAP (and always responsibly). Of course.

Caro showing how to make the perfect Mojito cocktail
Photo Credit: The Listed Home.

Et voila — how to make the perfect Mojito cocktail

The ideal tipple for festivals, summer gatherings or, indeed, in the middle of winter when you’re pining for some sunshine.

I promise you, there is nothing more worthwhile than learning how to make the perfect Mojito.

Print and Save How to Make the Perfect Mojito For Later

How to make the perfect Mojito cocktail

How to make the perfect Mojito cocktail

Yield: Serves 1
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

Mojitos are fresh, sweet, zesty and delicious. And although we drink them mainly in the summer,  there's no reason why they can't be drunk in the winter months as well. Especially when you're dreaming of warmer climes — it's the perfect way to give you a little taste of sunshine. This mix is how to make the perfect Mojito cocktail.

Ingredients

  • Half a lime
  • 25ml lime juice — we use lime juice in a bottle these days (it's much easier than juicing a whole bag of limes)
  • 40ml sugar syrup —we make our own by boiling equal weights of sugar and water (ie 200g sugar to 200ml of water)
  • 6-8 whole fresh mint leaves
  • 50ml of the best rum you can afford — our favourite is Plantation 3 Stars White Rum
  • Ice
  • Soda Water

Instructions

    1. Cut your half a lime into chunky wedges.
    2. Then take your cocktail shaker and add the lime wedges, lime juice, sugar syrup and mint leaves.
    3. Muddle. To do this you need a muddler and some elbow grease.
      A muddler is a cocktail kit basic. It's like a pestle — without the mortar. Basically you're using it to squash the lime wedges and mint together, to release all their aromatic oils and flavours.
    4. Next, pour over the rum and throw in a good handful of ice cubes.
    5. Pop on the lid of the cocktail shaker — firmly — and shake (in your best Tom Cruise stylee) until the outside of the shaker gets almost too cold to hold.
    6. Then take off the lid and empty the contents into your glass or Mojito mug. If you want something a little more refined you can use the strainer on the cocktail shaker to pour it in but, personally,  I love all the lime wedges and mint in mine so I don't generally do that.
    7. Top up with soda water (and a bit more ice if necessary).
    8. Garnish with more lime wedges — and a sprig of mint — if you're feeling fancy.
    9. Serve. And drink ASAP (and always responsibly).
      Of course.

Notes

Hardware You’ll Need

Cocktail shaker
A muddler
A Jig
Knife and board
Glasses — or Mojito mugs — to serve

Nutrition Information
Yield 1 Serving Size 1
Amount Per Serving Calories 571Total Fat 1gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 73mgCarbohydrates 50gFiber 7gSugar 34gProtein 4g

* Nutritional information has been generated by Nutritionix and isn’t always accurate.

Website | + posts

Caro Davies is a former art-director turned writer and content-creator, and editor behind UK lifestyle blog The Listed Home. She writes about home-related topics, from interiors and DIY to food and craft. The Listed Home has been featured in various publications, including Ideal Home, Grazia, and Homes & Antiques magazines.

Home | The Listed Home Blog | How to make the perfect Mojito | Dreaming of cocktails & summer

2 thoughts on “How to make the perfect Mojito | Dreaming of cocktails & summer”

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

The Listed Home featured publications
Skip to Recipe