Mojito Recipe

Prepare glass and mint

Place 10 fresh mint leaves into a sturdy highball or Collins glass. Reserve one small sprig for garnish.

Add citrus and sweetener

Squeeze 1 oz fresh lime juice into the glass (about the juice of half a medium lime). Add 0.75 oz simple syrup and a lime wedge (tuck the wedge in for extra flavor).

Muddle gently

Using a muddler or the back of a spoon, gently press and twist the mint leaves with the lime and simple syrup for about 5–8 seconds. Aim to bruise the leaves to release aroma and oils but avoid shredding them (over-muddling creates bitterness).

Add rum and ice

Pour 2 oz white rum into the glass. Fill the glass with roughly 1 cup (or packed) crushed ice, leaving a little room at the top for soda.

Top with club soda and stir

Top the drink with about 3 oz club soda. Using a long bar spoon, gently stir from the bottom up 6–8 times to lift the mint and combine ingredients without flattening the soda.

Garnish and serve

Garnish with the reserved mint sprig (slap it between your palms once to release aroma) and a lime wheel or wedge on the rim. Serve immediately with a straw.