Virgin Mojito

What changes when the rum goes

A Mojito is not a rum drink with mint dropped in: the rum lifts the mint into the nose and gives the glass weight. Without it the sugar has nothing to push against. More lime, a thinner syrup and a pinch of salt rebuild it.

Measures in ml and oz

Keep the syrup at 1:1; a richer one coats the tongue and no spirit cuts it.

Technique: press, churn, top

Press the mint with the syrup once or twice, enough to bruise the skin but not to shred the leaf. Add the lime, fill two-thirds with crushed ice and churn from the bottom up. Pour the soda down the inside wall, stir once, and crown with more ice.

Body without rum

Cold soda is sharp on the tongue and stands in for the prickle alcohol supplies. Swapping 30 ml of it for tonic adds quinine grip, and 15 ml of a 0,0 % white spirit alternative restores the aromatic top note.

Mistakes and their fixes

• Too sweet. Add 10 ml of lime and 30 ml of soda.
• Bitter, grassy finish. Fish out the muddled leaves and add fresh ones.
• Flat in five minutes. Just-opened soda, cold ice, chilled glass.

Variations with a name

• Nojito — ginger ale instead of soda: sweeter, hotter, the classic name.
• Virgin strawberry Mojito — three hulled strawberries pressed with the mint, syrup down to 10 ml.
• Green tea Mojito — 30 ml of strong cold green tea replaces the soda.

Virgin Mojito FAQ

Is a Virgin Mojito just a Mojito without the rum?

Nearly, but the ratios move. Fifty millilitres of rum is a seventh of the glass, so add 5 ml of lime and hold the syrup at 15 ml.

Why does my mint taste bitter?

You crushed it. Press the leaves once against the glass to free the oil in the skin; the chlorophyll inside turns bitter within minutes.

Can I make them for a party?

Muddle the mint with the syrup in a jug, add the lime and 240 ml of cold water, and refrigerate up to four hours. Add soda only when serving.