Crystal All-clear Mojito (tall) Recipe

Prepare ingredients

Rinse the fresh mint and gently pat dry. Lightly crush the cardamom pods with the flat of a knife to expose the seeds but do not grind them to dust. Zest one lime and juice enough limes to yield 1 cup (about 4–5 limes).

Make simple syrup base

Combine the granulated sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar fully dissolves and the mixture just reaches a simmer. Remove from heat.

Infuse with mint and cardamom

Add the packed mint leaves, crushed cardamom pods, lime zest, and a pinch of kosher salt to the hot syrup. Stir gently to submerge the herbs. Cover and let steep for 20 minutes, pressing lightly on the mint with a spoon once or twice to extract aroma (do not puree).

Add lime juice and finish

After 20 minutes, stir in the fresh lime juice and optional vegetable glycerin to the warm syrup. Let the mixture cool to room temperature, uncovered, for another 15–20 minutes so flavors marry.

Clarify and strain (to achieve crystal clarity)

First strain the cordial through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl to remove mint leaves and cardamom pods. Then pass the liquid through a double layer of fine cheesecloth or a coffee filter set in a fine sieve to remove fine particles. For extra clarity, chill the strained cordial in the refrigerator for 2–4 hours and decant off any sediment; optionally filter again through a fresh coffee filter. The end result should be a pale, clear green-tinted cordial.

Store

Transfer the clarified cordial to a clean bottle or jar and refrigerate. It will keep 7–10 days chilled.

Fill a tall Collins glass with clear ice cubes (about 1 cup). Chilling the glass briefly before assembly helps preserve clarity.

Pour 75 ml of the chilled mojito cordial into the glass over the ice.

Add 60 ml of a chilled clear non-alcoholic bitter aperitivo. Pour gently to avoid excessive agitation that would cloud the drink.

Top with 120 ml chilled club soda. Pour slowly down the side of the glass or over the back of a spoon to keep the pour gentle and maintain clarity.

Give the drink one gentle, brief stir (1–2 revolutions) with a bar spoon to integrate without foaming or clouding.

Garnish with a single sprig of mint: clap the mint between your palms once to release aroma, then place it atop the drink so it stays mostly above the liquid. Optionally tuck a thin lime wheel against the inside of the glass for presentation without submerging it.

Serve immediately with a straw if desired. Recommend drinking while the soda is still effervescent for best texture.