Bacardi Mojitos

Today I am celebrating. My little corner of the Internet has reach a milestone. What you are currently reading is . . .  drumroll please! . . . post number 200!

Why only yesterday, I was on post number 100. (Cranberry Spritzer, in case you were wondering.) Busy with recipes and posts (and the occasional family visit), I sometimes lose track of time and place.

All I can say is, thanks to the many who’ve been so supportive!

Clearly, a cocktail is required.

Throughout the summer, I’ve been growing a big pot of mint, and because it’s calling to me, I decided on a Mojito for my 200^th celebratory post. I love how the fresh flavors of mint, lime and rum combine. It makes a fantastic summer cocktail!

What is a Rum Mojito?

A Mojito, per Wikipedia, is a cocktail with Cuban origins. Traditionally, it consists of five ingredients: white rum, sugar, lime juice, soda water and mint. It’s a combination of complementing, contrasting tastes: tongue soothing sweet, taste bud tingling citrus, and outdoorsy green herbaceous mint that dress up the rum, making the Mojito a summer frolic.

Rum Mojito Recipe Ingredients

Since a Mojito calls for white rum, I use Bacardi, one of the most accessible brands. Did I ever tell you about my introduction to Daiquiris in college?

Perhaps another day . . .

Bacardi’s website provides the following proportions:

• 2 parts Bacardi rum
• 4 lime wedges
• 12 fresh mint leaves
• 2 teaspoon extra-fine sugar
• 1 part club soda.
• Sprig of fresh mint for garnish

How to Make a Bacardi Mojito

Squeeze the lime wedges to release their juice, leave the wedges in the drink and then press sugar into them. This is called “muddling,” which means that you lightly mash the ingredients in a glass. This same process is used for fruit and spices in an old fashioned, for example.

The next step is the mint. According to Bacardi: “…bruise the mint leaves by clapping them between your palms, rub them on the rim of the glass and drop them in.”

Now, conventional wisdom suggests that mint leaves are delicate and only the essence of mint is needed in the drink. But, IMO, there is no such thing as too much mint in a mojito! So, I muddle my mint in the glass, too, ensuring a delightfully minty flavor to the cocktail!

Next, half-fill the glass with ice, add the rum and stir. Top with club soda and garnish with the sprig of lime.

Make Mojitos for a Crowd

When making a pitcher of mojitos, you want to actually measure the lime juice instead of just squeezing and muddling the lime wedges. I also recommend you tear and slightly crush the mint leaves in your hands while adding to the pitcher. Start with these proportions:

• 2 cups Bacardi rum (white)
• 1 cup fresh lime juice (about 8 limes)
• 1 cup sugar (or simple syrup)
• 1 cup fresh mint leaves (plus extra for garnish)

1. Combine these ingredients in a large pitcher and stir to dissolve the sugar. Place the pitcher in the fridge for at least 20 minutes to chill and allow the flavors to develop.
2. When ready to serve, add ice and 1 to 2 cups of club soda. Stir gently.
3. Pour into glasses with ice and garnish with fresh mint and lime wedges.

Mojito variations

The most obvious variation to a traditional Bacardi Mojito is using lime flavored rum. Bacardi’s website gives essentially the same recipe, only they state to increase the sugar to 2 Tablespoons and reduce the mint leaves to 6-8. Huh? It’s my favorite part! I did try this version and I have to say, I really missed the mint!

If, like me, you think the mint is the best part, keep using 12 leaves. This version is very good, but as much as I like lime, I still prefer the mojito made with unflavored white rum. To me, there’s a nice balance of flavors. And, a lot less sugar (practically a diet drink!).

Speaking of balance, I like to keep mine, if possible, by making a weaker mojito with only 1 part rum to 2 parts club soda. That’s the beauty of making these at home. You can play all you want with proportions and flavors!

In the flavor category, there are many ways to customize your mojito. Just muddle some fruit right in the beginning. Berry flavors work well – blueberry, strawberry, even blackberry. You might end up reducing the lime and/or mint for these (or not, LOL). It’s your drink. Make it yours!

You could also use simple syrup instead of the sugar. That way, you're not dealing with sugar that isn't dissolving like you want. A terrific option is to make some lemon lime simple syrup to keep that citrus taste alive!

Make a Keto Rum Mojito

Ok, first of all I have to say that “Keto Mojito” is the most fun name ever! Go ahead – say it out loud. Keto Mojito! Super fun! Right? LOL

Mojitos are pretty low carb already. The recipe specifies only 2 teaspoons of sugar. I sometimes make my mojito with only one teaspoon, but if even that reduction isn’t enough for you no-nonsense dieters, use no sugar, or a sugar substitute, like a monkfruit-erythritol blend.

Note: As I have written before, there are other sugar substitutes. Even though it’s a tongue-twister, monkfruit-erythritol works for me.

Carb alert: My nutritional calculator says lime wedges have 8 grams of carbs and mint leaves have 2 grams. I’m not sure the limes matter because you don’t eat them. As for the mint, do what works. I doubt these add any real carbs to this keto mojito.

However you decide to make it, I hope you love this Bacardi Mojito as much as I do.

And if you still have some mint leaves to use, a mint julep recipe will never do you wrong! Need even more ideas? Check out these fresh mint recipes from healing tomato - so many great ideas!

Cheers! 🥂

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