mojito

Mojito is a traditional Cuban cocktail that combines white rum, sugar (or sugar syrup), lime juice, fresh mint, and soda water. The drink is built by muddling mint with sugar and lime juice to release essential oils, then adding rum and topping with carbonated water. It is typically served in a tall glass over crushed ice and garnished with a mint sprig and a lime wedge.

Origin and name: The Mojito is strongly associated with Havana and Cuban bartending, with origins dating to the 16th–19th centuries. The exact origins are uncertain; the name mojito may derive from the Spanish mojo, meaning to moisten or to cast a spell, or from mojado, meaning wet. The first written recipes appear in 19th-century Cuba, and the modern form gained international popularity in the 20th century, aided by travel and media coverage of Cuban culture.

Preparation and serving: Modern recipes vary, but the core method remains muddling mint with sugar and lime, then adding rum and ice before topping with soda water. Some prefer shaken preparation for a frothier texture before adding ice. The drink is usually served in a highball or Collins glass with a mint sprig garnish.

Variations: Fruit-flavored mojitos (strawberry, mango, pineapple) are common, as are herb variants such as basil mojito. Non-alcoholic versions, called virgin mojitos, substitute soda and additional lime or sugar for flavor and are served as mocktails.