Easy Homemade Strawberry Mojito

Here’s my go-to strawberry mojito recipe, with fresh mint leaves, ripe strawberries, a splash of white rum, and a hint of lime juice, all topped with fizzy club soda.

This refreshing drink has become my summer party favorite. I always make a big pitcher when friends come over for backyard BBQs. Nothing beats sipping these on a warm afternoon, don’t you think?

What Kind of Strawberries Should I Use?

Fresh strawberries are definitely the way to go for mojitos – while frozen ones might work in a pinch, they won’t give you that same bright flavor or nice texture in your drink. Look for berries that are fully red without any white or green patches, and give them a gentle squeeze – they should be firm but not hard. The sweetest strawberries will have a strong, fresh smell right at the stem. If you can find local strawberries during peak season (usually late spring to early summer), these will give you the best flavor, but standard grocery store strawberries will still make a tasty mojito. Just make sure to wash them well and remove the stems before cutting them up for your drink.

Options for Substitutions

Want to make this mojito but missing some ingredients? Here are some helpful swaps:

• Fresh mint leaves: Fresh mint is pretty important for a true mojito flavor, but in a pinch, you can use 1-2 drops of food-grade mint extract. Start with just a tiny bit as it’s much stronger than fresh mint.
• White rum: For an alcoholic version, you can use vodka instead of rum, though it will change the classic mojito taste. For a non-alcoholic version, replace the rum with additional sparkling water or coconut water.
• Sparkling water: Club soda or tonic water work great here. You could even use sprite or 7-up, but then reduce the sugar by half since these are already sweetened.
• Granulated sugar: Feel free to swap in simple syrup (use about 3/4 cup) or honey (use about 2/3 cup) instead. For a low-calorie option, try stevia or another sugar substitute – just follow the package instructions for conversion amounts.
• Fresh strawberries: If fresh strawberries aren’t available, you can use frozen ones (thaw them first). In summer, try swapping with fresh raspberries or blackberries for a different twist.
• Fresh limes: While fresh is best, you can use bottled lime juice in a pinch – about 2 tablespoons equals one lime. Just add a few thin slices of lime for garnish if you have them.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making

The biggest mistake when making strawberry mojitos is not muddling the ingredients properly – you want to press the mint leaves gently to release their oils without shredding them, which can make your drink bitter and leave unpleasant bits floating around.

Another common error is using room temperature sparkling water, which leads to a flat drink – make sure all your ingredients, especially the sparkling water, are well-chilled before mixing, and add the sparkling water last to maintain maximum fizz.

When it comes to the strawberries, avoid over-muddling them as this can make your drink too pulpy – instead, muddle them just enough to release their juices while keeping some texture, and strain the drink if you prefer it smoother.

For the perfect balance, taste-test your mojito before adding all the sparkling water, as you can always add more but can’t take it away once it’s mixed in.

What to Serve With Strawberry Mojitos?

When serving strawberry mojitos at your next get-together, think about light and fresh appetizers that won’t overpower the drink’s sweet-tart flavor. Some chips and fresh guacamole or a plate of citrus-marinated shrimp would be perfect alongside these refreshing cocktails. I love putting out a platter of fruit-based appetizers too – maybe some prosciutto-wrapped melon or a tropical fruit salsa with tortilla chips. For a fun party setup, you could even create a DIY mojito bar where guests can adjust the sweetness and amount of mint to their taste, with some simple snacks nearby for munching.

Storage Instructions

Prepare Ahead: Want to get a head start on your mojitos? You can muddle the strawberries, mint, and lime up to 4 hours before serving – just keep the mixture covered in the fridge. When party time rolls around, all you’ll need to do is add the rum, ice, and sparkling water!

Keep Cold: Once mixed, these mojitos are best enjoyed right away while the sparkling water is nice and fizzy. If you need to set them out for a party, place the pitcher in a bowl of ice to keep everything cold and fresh for up to 2 hours. Just give it a quick stir before serving to redistribute the flavors.

Leftovers: Have some mojito mix left without the sparkling water? Pop it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready for round two, just add fresh ice and sparkling water to bring back that perfect fizz!

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	0-5 minutes
Total Time	10-20 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1600-1800
• Protein: 4-6 g
• Fat: 0-0 g
• Carbohydrates: 400-450 g

Ingredients

• Granulated sugar for glass rimming
• 2 large limes, cut into quarters
• Half a bunch of fresh mint leaves
• 7 strawberries, cut into quarters
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 cups sparkling water
• 1 cup white rum
• 8 cups ice cubes

Step 1: Prepare the Glasses

Begin by pouring about 1/2 inch of sugar onto a small, shallow plate.

Take a lime wedge and run it around the rims of 8 cocktail glasses.

After wetting the rims, dip them into the sugar to coat them evenly.

Set the prepared glasses aside for later use.

Step 2: Muddle the Ingredients

Take a sturdy glass pitcher and squeeze the juice from all of the lime wedges into it.

Add the squeezed lime wedges themselves into the pitcher as well.

Next, add fresh mint leaves, strawberries, and 1 cup of sugar to the pitcher.

Use a muddler to crush these ingredients together, releasing the strawberry juice and mint oil for a refreshing blend of flavors.

Step 3: Mix the Drink

After muddling the ingredients, stir in club soda and rum into the pitcher.

Continue stirring until the sugar has completely dissolved, ensuring even distribution of flavors throughout the drink.

Step 4: Serve the Cocktails

Fill each of the prepared glasses with ice cubes.

Pour the mixed drink from the pitcher into each glass over the ice.

Your refreshing mint and strawberry cocktails are now ready to serve.

Enjoy!