Crystal All-clear Mojito Recipe

Prepare the clarifying egg white

In a small bowl combine the egg white (or 2 tbsp aquafaba if using vegan) with 1 tbsp cold water. Whisk briskly until slightly frothy but not fully foamy. This will act as the clarifying agent and help bind small particulates.

Combine base liquids and mint

In a mixing glass or small pitcher, add fresh lime juice and simple syrup. Lightly bruise 8 of the mint leaves between your palms to release oils (do not tear). Add the bruised leaves to the juice-syrup mixture and stir gently to infuse for 30–45 seconds.

Add rum and egg white

Pour the white rum into the mixing glass with the lime-syrup-mint infusion. Add the lightly whisked egg white mixture. Stir vigorously for 20–30 seconds to integrate the egg white with the other liquids; this helps the egg white bind fine solids for later removal.

Set up fine filtration

Place the fine cheesecloth or a coffee filter over a clean pitcher or bowl and secure it so it will not collapse. If using cheesecloth, double-layer it for a finer strain. Position the receiving vessel in the refrigerator or over a bowl with ice to keep the mixture cold during filtration.

Slowly filter the mixture

Pour the combined mixture slowly through the cloth/filter. The egg white will trap mint particles and other solids, leaving a much clearer liquid. Allow the liquid to drip naturally — do not press or squeeze the solids, as pressing will push particulates through. If flow is very slow, gently tilt the filter to encourage dripping but avoid agitation.

Optional second filtration

If you want an extra-crystal clear result, re-filter the collected liquid through a fresh coffee filter or a very fine sieve into another clean vessel. Chill the clarified liquid for 5 minutes if it warmed slightly.

Prepare the glass

Fill a highball or Collins glass with crushed ice to the top. If you prefer a fully crystal presentation, use clear crushed ice and a chilled glass.

Add clarified mojito base

Gently pour the clarified rum–lime–syrup mixture over the crushed ice, leaving about 1/2 inch headspace.

Top with club soda

Slowly add 3 oz chilled club soda (or clear seltzer) over the back of a spoon to preserve clarity and a light effervescence. If you used extra clear seltzer in the optional ingredients, add it now.

Finish and garnish

Lightly slap the reserved 2 mint leaves between your palms to release aroma and rest them on top of the drink as a garnish, along with the mint sprig. If you prefer a decorative clear element, rest a thin lime peel or thin lime wheel against the inside of the glass. Do not muddle any herbs in the glass after clarification — aromatics should be on the surface to keep the liquid visually clear.

Serve immediately with a straw placed to the side so the drinker can smell the mint without disturbing the clarity. Discard solids caught in the filter. If made ahead, keep the clarified base refrigerated and add soda and ice only when ready to serve (best within 2–4 hours).