There are two popular Traditional Mojitos in Puerto Rico: Mint Mojito and Passion Fruit Mojito. The basic ingredients for a mojito consist of fresh mint leaves, lime, sugar, white rum and soda water (or club soda). The combination of these ingredients will produce a sweet minty lime flavor beverage. However, when you add any tropical fruit to the basic ingredients, then the mojito will acquire a fruity sweet mint lime taste. Mojitos are refreshing drinks especially during the summer months.
Furthermore, you can also prepare these cocktail beverages with a homemade sugar syrup. In the future, I will record another cooking video on how to prepare the homemade sugar syrup for the mojitos.
Food History!
There are different versions regarding the exact origin of this popular drink. However, we do know that a tonic was created for medicinal purposes in Cuba (1500’s). As to who created this tonic is actually debatable – South American Indians? or the English pirate – Sir Francis Drake? or the African slaves? The medicinal tonic contained many of the ingredients for the mojito. As a result and centuries later, the tonic is then converted to a cocktail. Therefore, the Mojito is a Cuban alcoholic beverage.
Harvesting the Mint Leaves!
One of the essential ingredients for the mojitos is fresh mint leaves. When I arrived from Puerto Rico in May, I decided to grow some mint plants because I fell in love with the Mojitos. You will need approximately 16 mint leaves and 2 sprigs of mint to decorate the mojitos.
Cutting the Lime for the Traditional Mojitos!
Cut a lime in half. Each half will be used for one mojito. Cut each half into quarters and place in a bowl.
Preparing the Lime Mixture for the Traditional Mint Mojito!
In a tall glass, place 6 to 8 mint leaves at the bottom.
Add the chunks of lime.
Place 2 tablespoons of white sugar or to taste.
With a muddler, gently press down and twist to release the lime juice and the essential oils from the mint leaves. You don’t want to tear apart the mint leaves. Look how much juice is released from half a lime.
Using a bar spoon, stir to combine until the sugar is dissolved into the lime juice. This takes approximately 1 minute.
Notice how the sugar is completely dissolved (clear) before pouring the liquids.
Combining the Lime Mixture with the Liquids!
Fill the glass half way with ice and pour 2 ounces of white rum.
Give it a quick stir.
Continue filling the glass with more ice.
Pour club soda or soda water up to the rim of glass.
NOTE: Club soda is carbonated water with added minerals. Soda water is carbonated water with no additives.
Stir to combine. When I am stirring, I also bring the bottom ingredients to the top to blend well.
Decorate with a sprig of mint and a lime wedge. Serve with a straw and enjoy this minty lime flavored cocktail.
Creating the Passion Fruit Mojito!
I live in the Midwest, and I am not able to find fresh passion fruit. However, you might be able to purchase frozen passion fruit pulp at the Latin Market. This is the Goya brand, but you purchase the brand of your preference. Place in the refrigerator for several days to thaw.
This is the Passion Fruit Pulp when it is thawed.
Combining the Lime Mixture with the Liquids!
Repeat all the steps for Preparing the Lime Mixture for the Traditional Mint Mojito. Once you have prepared the lime mixture, fill the glass half way with ice and pour 2 ounces of white rum.
And then pour 3 ounces of passion fruit pulp.
Give it a quick stir, using a bar spoon.
Add more ice.
Fill the glass with club soda or soda water.
Stir to combine. When I am stirring, I also bring the bottom ingredients to the top to blend well.
Decorate with a sprig of mint and a lime wedge. In Puerto Rico, this drink is sometimes served with a cocktail cherry on top. Serve with a straw and enjoy this fruity mint lime flavored cocktail.
Displaying Two Different Traditional Mojitos – Mint and Passion Fruit!
These mojitos are such refreshing drinks to serve your guests especially during the summer months.
Click on the button below to watch my YouTube video on How to Prepare Traditional Mojitos – Mint and Passion Fruit!
Recipe and Nutritional Facts!
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. Please refer to our Nutritional Facts Disclaimer for more information.
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Traditional Mojitos
- Prep Time: 15 Minutes
- Total Time: 15 Minutes
- Yield: 1 Serving 1x
Description
Two very popular mojitos in Puerto Rico – Passion Fruit and Mint Mojitos. These refreshing drinks are normally served during the summer months. They have a sweet minty lime flavor or a fruity flavor if you add a tropical fruit.
Ingredients
- 6 to 8 Mint Leaves
- 1 whole lime, cut in half and each half cut into quarters
- 2 tablespoons of white sugar or to taste
- 2 ounces of white rum
- Club soda or soda water
- Ice
- 3 ounces of passion fruit pulp or fresh passion fruit
Instructions
- In a tall glass, place 6 to 8 mint leaves at the bottom of glass.
- Add one half of lime (cut into quarters) and sugar.
- With a muddler, press down and twist to release the lime juice. Do not tear apart the mint leaves.
- Stir to combine until the sugar is dissolved into the lime juice about 1 minute.
- Fill glass half way with ice and pour white rum. Give it a quick stir.
- Completely fill the glass with more ice and pour club soda or soda water. Stir to combine.
- Decorate with a sprig of mint and a lime wedge. Serve with a straw.
For Passion Fruit Mojito: Repeat the same process except for Step 5. See step 5 below.
5. Fill glass half way with ice. Pour white rum and passion fruit pulp. Give it a quick stir.
Notes
Club soda is carbonated water with added minerals. Soda water is carbonated water with no additives.
Whether preparing the mint or passion fruit mojito, the ingredients are for 1 serving.
The first Nutritional Value is for the Mint Mojito. The second Nutritional Value is for the Passion Fruit Mojito.
- Category: Beverages
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Cuban
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tall glass w/ passion fruit
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 25.5 g
- Sodium: 16.4 mg
- Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 32.2 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 0
Keywords: mojitos, traditional mojitos, mint mojito, passion fruit mojito, mojito de parcha
