Get ready to meet your new favorite summer drink. This Strawberry Mojito recipe is the perfect blend of sweet, tangy, and refreshing. It takes the classic mojito you love and gives it a vibrant, fruity twist with fresh, ripe strawberries. It’s incredibly easy to make, stunning to look at, and guaranteed to be a hit at any gathering.
Whether you’re lounging by the pool, hosting a backyard barbecue, or just need a delicious escape at the end of the day, this simple cocktail is pure sunshine in a glass. We’ll walk you through every step to create the perfect balance of flavors.
Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Mojito Recipe
- Incredibly Refreshing: The combination of cool mint, zesty lime, and sweet strawberries is the ultimate thirst quencher.
- Simple Ingredients: You only need a handful of fresh, easy-to-find ingredients to create this show-stopping cocktail.
- Perfectly Balanced: Not too sweet and not too tart, this recipe hits all the right notes for a perfectly crafted drink.
- Easy to Customize: Easily adjust the sweetness, make it non-alcoholic, or scale it up to serve a crowd.
The Key to a Perfect Mojito: Choosing Your Ingredients
A truly great cocktail starts with great ingredients. While this recipe is simple, paying attention to the quality of each component will take your strawberry mojito from good to unforgettable.
What’s the Best Rum for a Mojito?
For a classic mojito flavor, a high-quality white rum (also called light or silver rum) is the way to go. Its clean, mild flavor profile allows the fresh fruit and mint to be the stars of the show. Avoid aged or dark rums, as their complex, molasses-forward notes can overpower the delicate flavors of this drink.
Fresh vs. Frozen Strawberries
Fresh, in-season strawberries will always provide the brightest, most authentic flavor. Look for berries that are vibrant red and fragrant. However, if fresh strawberries aren’t available, high-quality frozen strawberries are an excellent substitute. Simply thaw them completely before muddling.
Mint Matters: Spearmint is Key
The best mint for a mojito is spearmint. It has a subtly sweet, cool flavor that is the signature of this classic Cuban cocktail. Peppermint contains much more menthol and can lend a sharp, almost toothpaste-like flavor that can overwhelm the drink.
Essential Equipment
You don’t need a professional bar setup to make a fantastic mojito at home. Here are the basics:
- Muddler: Essential for gently pressing the juices and oils from the mint and fruit. The back of a wooden spoon can work in a pinch.
- Cocktail Shaker: For chilling and combining the ingredients perfectly.
- Jigger or Measuring Spoons: For accurate measurements to ensure a balanced cocktail.
- Highball Glass: The traditional tall glass for serving mojitos.
How to Make the Perfect Strawberry Mojito
This recipe is for a single serving, but it’s easily doubled or tripled. For a larger group, check out our pitcher instructions below!
Easy Strawberry Mojito Recipe
Strawberry Mojito Recipe: The Ultimate Refreshing Summer Cocktail
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the quartered strawberries, mint leaves, and fresh lime juice. Gently muddle the ingredients to release the strawberry juices and mint oils. Do not over-muddle the mint.
- Add the simple syrup and white rum to the shaker.
- Fill the shaker halfway with ice, secure the lid, and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds until well-chilled.
- Fill a highball glass with fresh ice. Strain the mixture from the shaker into the glass.
- Top the drink with chilled club soda. Gently stir once with a bar spoon to combine. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig and a whole strawberry.
Notes
Don't Pulverize the Mint: Gently press the mint to release its essence without shredding it, which can cause bitterness.
Taste and Adjust: Feel free to add more simple syrup for sweetness or an extra squeeze of lime for more tartness.
Pro Tips for Cocktail Perfection
- Clap Your Mint: Before adding the mint to your glass, place the leaves in one palm and gently clap your other hand on top. This releases the aromatic oils without bruising the leaves.
- Don’t Pulverize the Mint: The goal of muddling is to gently press the mint to release its essence, not to shred it into tiny pieces. Over-muddling creates a bitter taste.
- Use Fresh Lime Juice: The difference between freshly squeezed and bottled lime juice is night and day. Fresh juice provides the bright, zesty kick that is crucial for a great mojito.
- Taste and Adjust: Your strawberries might be more sweet or tart, so always taste your mojito base before topping it with club soda. Add a little more simple syrup for sweetness or a squeeze of lime for tartness.
Making a Strawberry Mojito Pitcher for a Crowd
Serving a group? No problem. This recipe is perfect for scaling up into a pitcher. It’s one of our favorite mojito pitcher recipes (coming soon) for easy entertaining.
To make a pitcher that serves 6:
- In a large pitcher, combine 1 cup of quartered strawberries and the juice of 6 limes (about 3/4 cup).
- Add about 45 mint leaves (a large handful) and 3/4 cup of simple syrup.
- Muddle gently, just enough to release the strawberry juice and mint oils.
- Add 12 ounces (1.5 cups) of white rum and stir to combine.
- Fill the pitcher about halfway with ice and stir again until chilled.
- When ready to serve, top off the pitcher with about 2 cups of chilled club soda. Serve in ice-filled glasses with fresh garnishes.
Variations and Fun Twists
One of the best things about this recipe is how easy it is to adapt. Here are a few ideas:
- Virgin Strawberry Mojito: To make a non-alcoholic version, simply omit the rum. Add a splash of sparkling water or lemon-lime soda for extra fizz. It’s just as refreshing as this classic virgin mojito.
- Spicy Strawberry Mojito: Muddle 1-2 slices of fresh jalapeño along with the strawberries for a delightful kick of heat. It’s a fun twist on a spicy mojito (coming soon).
- Try Other Berries: This recipe works wonderfully with other berries. Swap the strawberries for blackberries or try this delicious raspberry mojito recipe.
- Use a Different Spirit: While not a traditional mojito, you can substitute the rum with vodka or gin for a different flavor profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can prep the base ahead to save time. Muddle the strawberries, lime juice, and simple syrup together and store this mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to serve, add the fresh mint, muddle gently, then add rum, ice, and club soda.
Absolutely! For best results, thaw the frozen strawberries completely before muddling. You can muddle them just like fresh strawberries. They release a lot of juice, creating a beautifully vibrant and flavorful drink.
It’s simple to make this a non-alcoholic mocktail! Just omit the rum from the recipe. To replace the liquid volume, you can top the glass with a little extra club soda or add a splash of lemon-lime soda for additional flavor.
No muddler, no problem! The back of a sturdy wooden spoon is a perfect substitute. Use it to gently press and twist the ingredients in the bottom of your shaker or glass. The goal is to release the juices and oils, not to pulverize everything.
A good quality white rum (also known as light or silver rum) is the best choice. Its clean and subtle flavor profile allows the fresh strawberry and mint to shine without being overpowered. Brands like Bacardi Superior or Havana Club 3 Años are excellent options.
More Refreshing Cocktail Recipes
We hope you love this easy and refreshing strawberry mojito recipe! It’s the perfect way to celebrate sunny days and fresh flavors. If you try it, please leave a comment below and let us know what you think. And don’t forget to save it to your favorite cocktail board on Pinterest!
