A drink that has navigated the peaks and troughs of fads and trends for decades, championing flavor and fresh ingredients and introducing countless drinkers to the world of cocktails; the Mojito has earned its legendary status.
But, as with many cocktail superheroes, its origin story is shrouded in mystery and hotly debated. We trace the story of this quintessential Cuban highball – from the backstreets of Havana to bars across the world – and reveal our Captain Morgan perfect recipe, batching tips, and a seasonal riff on this summer staple.
A MUDDLED MOJITO HISTORY
A mix combination of rum lime juice, sugar, soda water, and mint. The merest mention of the Mojito evokes images of heady Havana nights and takes drinkers to the sunny shores of the Caribbean.
Though its exact origins are the subject of fierce debate, legend has it that we have the famed Sir Francis Drake to thank for the invention of the Mojito.
During his Great Expedition to the New World, an epidemic of scurvy and dysentery broke out aboard Drake’s ship. In desperate search of a cure, a landing party went ashore at Cuba and returned with a local blend of aguardiente de caña (a precursor to rum) mixed with lime, sugarcane juice, and mint.
Sure enough, the concoction staved off illness and was christened “El Draque” in Drake’s honor.
THE MODERN MOJITO
Fast-forward a few centuries and the humble Mojito, once confined to Cuban farmhouses and beaches, exploded onto the burgeoning cocktail scene, bolstered by the arrival of Prohibition in the States Havana quickly became a drinking haven for wealthy Americans, who scrambled across the Florida Straits in their droves and were promptly offered a local take on their cherished Mint Julep upon arrival.
Today, the Mojito is one of the undisputed kings of the cocktail world; enjoyed everywhere from Cuba to Cambodia, Havana to Hanoi, and grabbing a spot on most cocktail menus. The cause? Simplicity. A winning combination of flavors that champions good rum and fresh ingredients.
Countless variations and riffs have sprung up, adding inventive ingredients like lemongrass and basil, or substituting the rum for local alternatives, such as tequila (the Mexican Mojito) or Metaxa (Greek) – but the original recipe remains intact as the crowd favorite.
Nevertheless, below we examine how to perfect the classic Mojito, consider how to batch for larger volumes, and share a contemporary, wintery twist on this dynamic crowd-pleaser.
HOW TO MAKE A MOJITO BAR BROTHERS STYLE
Mojito Cocktail Recipe
50ml White Rum
25ml Simple syrup
Soda water
Lime wedge
Mint leaves
Highball glass
Mint sprig
Crushed ice
METHOD
- Muddle the mint leaves, simple syrup, and lime wedges
- Add the white rum
- Strain over crushed ice and top with soda
- Garnish with a mint sprig.
(Alcohol content: 15.80g per serve
