New Delhi: National Mojito Day is celebrated on July 11 to celebrate this tasty drink that ranks among one of the favourite cocktails and is traditionally made with white rum, lime juice, sugar, mint, and sparkling water. The drink is also made without alcohol and is known as Virgin Mojito. Nowadays, a number of mojito varieties are found including watermelon mojito, green apple mojito and orange mojito.
The drink's popularity in the early twentieth century is credited in part to the author Ernest Hemmingway, as it was believed to be his favourite drink. Presently, the mojito has become synonymous with the summer season. Its fresh flavour and cool temperature complement a hot summer day well. Here are some easy recipes that you can try at home so that you can enjoy this day to the fullest.
1. Virgin Mojito (By Gaurav Salvi, Istaka, Mixologist, Istaka, 3102 BCE)
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons- lime juice
- 10- mint leaves
- 1 cup- Sprite
- 1 cup- Crushed ice
Method:
- In a glass, muddle the mint leaves and lemon juice together.
- Then top with a cup of crushed ice and Sprite.
- Stir and serve chilled with a sprig of fresh mint and a wedge of lime.
2. Greenhouse Mojito (By Hilman Luthfiansyah, Mixologist, Le Meridien Maldives Resort & Spa)
Ingredients:
- 10 pcs- Greenhouse Mint leaves
- 45 ml- White Rum
- 30 ml - Fresh lime juice
- 3 pcs - Lime wedges
- 30 ml - Sugar syrup
- 100 ml - Soda Water
Method:
- Place mint leaves, lime and sugar in a highball glass.
- Bruise mint leaves with a muddler, or crush the mint leaves with your hands and drop them in the glass.
- Fill the glass with ice, pour over rum and soda water, then stir.
- Garnish with lime slices and mint leaves.
3. Jamun Mojito (By Jonas Ax, seasoned mixologist and Advocacy Lead, Bacardi India)
There is something very alluring about the distinct colour and unique flavour of this popular Indian fruit. Spotted across fruit carts and stores in India during the monsoon season – Jamun can be now explored as a unique ingredient in this exciting cocktail recipe!
Ingredients:
- 50 ml white rum
- 25 ml Jamun Fruit Syrup – can be store-bought or made at home
- 20 ml lime juice
- 4 to 5 mint leaves
Method:
- Bruise the basil leaves by clapping them between your palms– rub them on the rim of the glass and drop them in the highball glass
- Fill the glass with crushed ice, jamun fruit syrup, lime juice and white rum & stir
- Top with crushed ice, and garnish with mint sprig
To make your own Jamun Fruit Syrup, simply follow these steps:
- Deseed- 40 Jamun fruit and place the fruit in a blender. Blend this smooth and strain the liquid.
- Next, add strained liquid into a pan, with 1⁄2 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar.
- Cook on slow flame for 20 mins.
- Allow to cool, refrigerate and use as required.
4. Virgin Raspberry Mojito (By Brown Okoror, Mixologist, JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa)
Ingredients:
- 6 to 8- fresh mint leaves
- 6 to 8- fresh raspberries
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
- 2 tablespoons- Simple syrup or sugar
- Sprite
- Ice cubes
Method:
- In a glass, add the fresh mint leaves, raspberries, and lime wedges.
- Use a muddler or the back of a spoon to gently muddle the mint, raspberries, and lime together, extracting their flavours.
- Add the simple syrup or sugar to the glass.
- Fill the glass with ice cubes.
- Pour club soda or sparkling water into the glass, filling it almost to the top.
- Stir gently to mix the ingredients.
- Garnish with additional fresh raspberries and a sprig of mint.
5. Raspberry Mojito (By Jonas Ax, seasoned mixologist and Advocacy Lead, Bacardi India)
Put a seasonal spin on the most sought-after drink for 2023 with a berrylicious variant of the classic – a ‘berry’ vibrant Raspberry Mojito!
Ingredients:
- 50 ML white rum
- 3 raspberries
- 4 lime wedges
- 2 tsp sugar
- 12 mint leaves
- A dash of soda water
Steps:
- Build! All ingredients in a highball glass and muddle
- Stir! Add crushed ice and stir
- Top! with club soda and stir lightly before serving
- Garnish! with a mint sprig & a raspberry