A classic Mojito is a Cuban punch made with rum, fresh mint leaves, lime juice, sugar, and club soda. Whether you’re trying to avoid a hangover or want a budget-friendly drink idea, this virgin mojito recipe is for you. It’s made with 4 simple ingredients and is the perfect drink to serve for an afternoon party. (Like baby showers and wedding showers!)
Ingredients You’ll Need
To infuse fresh mint flavor without muddling individual drinks, you’ll make a simple syrup with honey, water, and mint leaves. Paired with fresh lime juice and your favorite soda water, this mocktail is easy to assemble and tastes refreshing!
How to Make a virgin mojito
In a small saucepan, combine the water, honey, and fresh mint leaves. Bring the liquid to a boil over high heat, then lower the heat and let them simmer for 1 minute. Set the saucepan aside and let it cool for 1 hour. Then arrange a fine mesh strainer over a glass storage jar and pour the syrup through the strainer into the jar, catching the mint leaves. You can prepare this syrup up to 5 days in advance if you are planning to make this for a party. Just store it in an airtight container in the fridge and shake well before using. When you’re ready to prepare a virgin mojito add 3 tablespoons of the mint honey syrup to your serving glass. Next, add 2 to 3 tablespoons of fresh lime juice (or roughly the juice of a whole lime). Stir well, then top it off with 3/4 cup of your favorite soda water. I like to use lime-flavored sparkling water, with no added sugar, for extra lime flavor. But regular sparkling water will work, too! Or, use plain, filtered water if you don’t want the added bubbles or carbonation. Serve this virgin cocktail with ice cubes and garnish with fresh mint leaves and lime slices. You can also add extra mint leaves and large lime wheels directly into the glass for a pretty look.
Variations
Make it without simple syrup: You can skip making the mint simple syrup if you own a muddler. Add fresh mint leaves and lime juice to a cocktail shaker and muddle (squish) the leaves to help bring out their flavor. Top it off with lemon lime soda, or use limeade, for sweetness. This individual method makes it harder to make several glasses at once, so I think the homemade simple syrup is easier to use for a crowd.
Strawberry Mojito: Muddle 3 strawberries in the bottom of the glass before adding the simple syrup and lime juice. The more you smash the strawberries, the juicier your drink will be. (Or use any other fresh berries you love.) Garnish with a lime wedge and a thinly sliced strawberry.
Looking for more mocktail recipes? Try my Easy Mocktail, which is made with only fruit juice and will quickly become one of your favorite summer drink recipes. If you try this Mojito mocktail recipe, please leave a comment and star rating below letting me know how you like it.
