How To Make A Mojito

A proper Mojito is a time-consuming drink. But it’s entirely worth it if you’re looking for a cocktail that’s equal parts refreshing, complex, sweet, and fizzy - with just a touch of mint that’ll remind you of the last time you buried your face in a pile of fresh-cut grass. A Mojito is, in short, a perfect summer cocktail, and you don’t even need a shaker or a mixing glass. You do, however, need a can-do attitude. So brush your hair, give yourself a pep talk in the mirror, and let’s begin.

How It Tastes: Crisp, Tart, Like A Summer Garden Watered With Rum

Drink If You Like: Daiquiris, Southsides

The Mojito

You’ll Need:

• Crushed ice

• A highball glass

• 3 lime wedges

• Two bountiful sprigs of mint

• 0.75 ounce simple syrup

• 0.5 ounce lime juice

• 2 ounces white rum

• 1.5 ounces seltzer

• Angostura bitters

Step One: Muddling

Grab your highball, and put two lime wedges in the bottom. Next, find your muddler (if you don’t have one, just use the handle of a big wooden spoon), and gently muddle these lime wedges for several seconds.

Step Two: Simple Syrup And Lime Juice

Add 0.5 ounce lime juice and 0.75 ounce simple syrup to your highball. Yes, you already have some lime juice in there from those lime wedges you just muddled - but you’re going to need more if you want this drink to taste like something that’s meant to be consumed.

Step Three: Mint

Grab a nice, leafy sprig of mint, and give it a sniff. Now, put that mint in the palm of your hand, and give it a smack. Sniff a second time. You’ll notice it became more fragrant. Why? Because you released the mint’s oil. (It was previously stored in subcuticular oil storage cavities, if you were wondering.) Pick the leaves (6-8 is ideal) of your freshly smacked mint sprig, and throw them in your highball.

Step Four: White Rum

You want a crisp, clean, and maybe even grassy white rum for your mojito. Add 2 ounces to your highball, and give everything a preliminary stir.

Step Five: Crushed Ice

If you have a fridge with a built-in crushed ice maker, we’re jealous, and we would also like to come do laundry at your house. If you don’t, congratulations, we’re in the same boat. You’re going to have to make our own crushed ice here - but it’s surprisingly easy. Just take an ice cube, put it in the palm of your hand, and smack it with the back of a spoon. It should shatter like someone on Deal Or No Deal who picked the wrong briefcase. Fill your glass to the rim with this crushed ice. See what we meant about time-consuming?

Step Six: Seltzer

Once your glass is full of crushed ice, top with seltzer. You might only be able to get around 1.5 ounces in there - but that’s perfect. Just make sure your seltzer is crisp and cold. Next, give everything a brief stir.

Step Seven: Garnishes

You just spent all this time muddling lime wedges and crushing ice, so the least you can do for yourself is make this cocktail look so good that people will try to take it from you. First, give the top a dash of Angostura bitters. (It’s a garnish. Don’t mix it in.) Next, take your last remaining mint sprig, give it a smack, and stick it in the side of your glass. It should form a canopy over your Mojito like a majestic tree or even just a normal tree. Finally, go buy a lawn chair, put it on your roof, and enjoy this time-consuming cocktail that you absolutely nailed.