Virgin Mojito Recipe: Mint, Lime and Soda (Nojito)

Ingredients

10 leaves mint leaves fresh spearmint
½ lime cut into wedges
¾ oz simple syrup or 2 tsp cane sugar
top up with soda water well chilled

Garnish: Mint sprig, lime wedge · Ice: Crushed ice

Method

Put lime wedges and simple syrup in a highball glass and muddle firmly to release the juice.
Add the mint leaves and press them gently against the lime.
Fill the glass with crushed ice.
Top with soda water and churn briefly with a bar spoon from the bottom up.
Add more crushed ice to the top and garnish with a mint sprig and a lime wedge.

Watch it made

Virgin Mojito (Nojito)

Taste

Very fresh and aromatic: cool mint, sharp lime, balanced sweetness and lively bubbles. Light and thirst quenching.

History and origin

The Virgin Mojito, often called Nojito, is the alcohol-free version of the Mojito from Havana, Cuba. The Mojito itself is built from white rum, lime, sugar, mint and soda water; its exact origins are unclear, although it is often linked to older Cuban drinks of rum, lime and mint. It became internationally famous in the 20th century, helped by Havana's bar culture and by tourism.

Leaving out the rum is not a modern invention with a clear author, but a natural step: the combination of mint, lime and sugar is refreshing on its own. With the growing demand for alcohol-free drinks, the Virgin Mojito has become a standard on bar and restaurant menus.

Bartender tips

Without rum the drink has less body; a little more lime and a touch less sugar keep it from tasting like lemonade.
Replace part of the soda with ginger ale or apple juice for more depth.
Always use fresh mint with firm leaves; wilted mint tastes grassy.

Variations

Strawberry Nojito: Muddle two or three ripe strawberries with the lime.
Alcohol-free rum: Add 50 ml alcohol-free rum alternative for a flavour closer to the original.