Mojito

The Mojito is a Cocktail consisting of Rum, Fresh Lime Juice, Sugar, Sodawater, and Ice.

The Mojito may be the Cuban version of the Mint Julep, which has a history of being made with rum.

History of the Mojito

"El Hijo alegre de la caña de azucar", by Fernando Campoamor

The Draquecito was named after Sir Francis Drake. At that time the drink was known in Cuba as “Draquecito” quotation needed

(Drake – Draque – Draquecito), later it became “Mojito”.

Official Bacardi Rum Quote

"Like the endless fields of sugarcane and the rows of rich tobacco, a drink called the Mojito (pronounced moe-hee-toe) seemed to spring up from the Cuban heartland and capture the soul of its people. The Mojito was originally named the Draque. It was in the mid-nineteenth century, at the same time Don Facundo Bacardi originated his charcoal-mellowed BACARDI rums, that the Draque’s original recipe was adjusted. Changed to include rum, the new concoction was named Mojito. Shortly thereafter, Cubans everywhere were making them with Cuba’s original rum, BACARDI. The Mojito became not just a pastime but a national passion. By the mid-1920’s, the Mojito was, unofficially at least, the national drink of Cuba."

Historical References

"Cuban Cookery, including Cuban Drinks", by De Baralt (Blanche Z.), 1931

RUM COCKTAIL (Cuban mojo)

In medium size glass put :

• One teaspoonful sugar
• Juice and rind of a green lime
• Sprig of mint
• One jigger Bacardi Rum
• Several pieces of ice
• Fill glass with soda water.
• Serve with a long spoon.

"Sloppy Joe's" (Bar Menu), 1934

MOJITO

• 1 Teaspoonful of sugar
• One half of lime
• 1 Part of Rum
• Seltzer water
• Leaves of Mint
• Shell of lime
• Serve in a High Ball glass, with cracked ice.

"Bartender's Guide", by Trader Vic, 1947

• 1/2 lime
• 3 sprigs mint
• 1 tsp. bar sugar
• 2 oz. Puerto Rico rum

Squeeze lime and drop shell in 10 oz. glass; add sugar to juice and mint leaves and muddle. Fill glass with shaved ice; pour rum over ice; stir or swizzle until glass frosts. Add dash of charged water; garnish with mint and serve with straws.

Cuban Recipes

Dom Costa provided the Following quote:

This is how they prepare Mojitos at "La Bodeguita del Medio":

• 1 teaspoon of sugar
• 1/4 oz fresh lime juice
• two mint sprigs (not a forest !)
• crush gently ,( you don't need to make a "pesto" sauce or a puree !!)
• add 1/12 oz white cuban rum
• add ice
• add two oz soda water
• stir well
• garnish with a sprig of mint

"You know, I asked the head bartender at La Bodeguita if I could go behind the bar with other 4 bartenders and prepare few Mojitos for us, he agreed, and followed us step by step, and the way described above is the correct procedure of making a genuine Cuban Mojito,after all at La bodeguita they made Mojito famous all over the world, why should they be wrong?"

Variations on the Mojito

• Mojito Fidel - Mojito topped with beer instead of Sodawater.
• Mojito Criollo
• Old Cuban
• Draque

Video Demonstrations on the Web

• Video Jug - Mojito