Mojitos, 3 Ways
The warmer months are upon us, which means we are blessed with various fresh fruits at our fingertips, so why not put your strawberries, blueberries, or pineapple chunks into good use and muddle them into a sweet and fruity mojito? This fun and refreshing take on the classic mojito is perfect for any outdoor gathering and you can customize the fruit flavors to suit your guests tastes.
Cocktail Ingredients and Kit:
- Lime juice
- White rum
- Strawberry, blueberry, and pineapple chunks
- Seltzer (aka sparkling or soda water)
- Ice
- Fresh mint and lime wedges
- Barillio bartender kit including a jigger, muddler, and a long spoon
- At least three mojito glasses with broad, flat bases
Origins of the Mojito
This cocktail recipe is a fruity take on the classic mojito, so here is your short and sweet (or rather sweet and sour) history of this iconic cocktail from Cuba.
The mojito has been around for decades, and the exact origins of the drink are somewhat debated among food and drink historians. However, we do know that the mojito gained popularity among western cocktail drinkers after Nobel Prize winner and author Ernest Hemingway spent some time in Cuba writing seven of his most well-recognized novels. Additionally, the mojito made a cameo in one of the James Bond films (not that we are jealous or anything!) and some other Hollywood classics, further enhancing the drink’s popularity.
It’s possible the mojito was invented as a medicinal drink, similar to the iconic gin and tonic and the humble Whiskey Sour, as the original recipe using Cuban moonshine alcohol, mint, lime, and sugar cane syrup was thought to prevent illness. Eventually, a pirate landed in Cuban waters and changed the recipe slightly to include rum instead of moonshine, and the mojito as we drink it today was born.
Top Tips for these Fun and Fruity Mojitos
- Taste test. This recipe doesn’t use sugar or syrup like the classic mojito, as the sugar in the fruit usually does the talking. However, feel free to add a dash of granulated sugar if your fruit isn’t ripe or sweet enough.
- Don’t use frozen fruit. Switching the fresh strawberry, blueberry, or pineapple chunks to frozen alternatives sounds like a smart idea to keep your drink cold. However, we find that the frozen berries or pineapple don’t break down enough during the muddling stage of this recipe, causing your fruit mojito to be, well, not very fruity… disaster! Therefore, always use fresh fruit so you can make a well-muddled fruit purée texture in your drink.
- Go pitcher size. This easy cocktail is perfect in a pitcher for large groups. Simply times our recipe by 4-6 (depending on the size of your jug) to go pitcher size and save preparation time. If you have multiple pitchers, you can prep the three varieties of the Barillio fruit mojitos ahead of time and keep them in the fridge to serve when your guests arrive, leaving you more time to socialize and relax.
Fruit Mojitos- three ways! Amazing fruits cocktails by Barillio
Ingredients
- 1 ½ oz lime juice
- Fresh strawberries, blueberries, or pineapple chunks
- 2 oz white rum
- Seltzer (to taste)
- Ice
- Garnish with fresh mint and lime
Instructions
- Add lime juice to a glass with a flat base.
- Choose your poison (aka fruit) and add a small handful to the glass. Then use your Barillio muddler to squish and twist the muddler into the fruit to puree it in with the lime juice.
- Add in the white rum and ice, and give your fruit mojito a quick stir.
- Top your cocktail with seltzer to taste.
- Garnish with classic mojito toppings such as a sprig of fresh mint and a wedge of fresh lime.
Other Fruity Cocktail Recipes Perfect for Warm Weather
FAQ
How much alcohol is in a Fruit Mojito?
Each serving of this fruit mojito contains 2 oz white rum. As rum is typically 40-45% ABV (alcohol by volume), each cocktail’s booze content is average to strong.
Please always consume alcohol responsibly and be mindful of each measurement of rum used in your fruit mojitos.
How to make a mocktail version of these fruit mojitos
If you read our previous post on the Barillio blog about non-alcoholic cocktail alternatives, you’ll know we love a mocktail.
So why not swap out the rum for an alcohol-free alternative to make these fruit mojitos suitable for kids, pregnancy, drivers, or anyone avoiding alcohol this summer? Brands we love include Strykk Not Rum or the Ritual Zero Proof Rum. Simply swap the rum for the same volume of the rum alternative.
Can I use other fruits in a mojito?
Absolutely! Although strawberries, blueberries, and pineapple are our bartender’s favorite choices for a fruitier take on the classic mojito, you can also experiment with blackberries, kiwi, passionfruit, watermelon, cherries, or mango.
Plus, if you’re learning the craft of mixology, why not experiment by swapping the fresh mint for basil to add a fresh earthy twist combined with a mango and passionfruit fruit mojito?
Seltzer vs. soda water
If you read our recipe for the classic mojito, you may be confused why that cocktail uses soda water, and this recipe uses seltzer. Although the name is slightly different, seltzer, sparkling water, and soda water are the same drink (carbonated water).
However, club soda has additional minerals making it slightly sweeter and saltier. Although we recommend using seltzer water to let the fruit, lime juice, and rum do the talking, you can use a club soda to add an extra layer of flavor if you prefer.
Summary
We know you love a mojito as much as us, but why stop at just the classic rum, sugar, lime, and mint combo and mix things up (literally!) with our take on a fruity mojito using fresh strawberries, blueberries, or pineapple chunks. Just don’t forget to play some summer tunes while you make these delicious mojitos with a berry or tropical twist.
