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If you ask me, mojitos are just better with fresh berries.
This refreshing twist on the classic Cuban cocktail brings sweet raspberries into the mix, making it a perfect drink for summer afternoons. Fresh mint and tart lime juice blend naturally with the berries, while the rum adds that signature mojito kick.
The muddled raspberries give this drink its pretty pink color and add a fruity layer to the traditional mint-and-lime combo. A splash of club soda keeps it light and fizzy, just the way a good mojito should be.
It’s a laid-back cocktail that’s perfect for backyard parties or just relaxing on the porch when the weather’s warm.
Why You’ll Love This Mojito
- Quick preparation – This drink comes together in just 5 minutes – perfect for when you want a refreshing cocktail without any fuss.
- Simple ingredients – With basic bar staples and fresh raspberries, you can easily keep these ingredients on hand for whenever the craving strikes.
- Perfect summer drink – The combination of fresh mint, sweet raspberries, and fizzy soda water makes this cocktail extra refreshing on hot days.
- Customizable sweetness – You can easily adjust the sugar syrup to make it sweeter or less sweet based on your preference.
What Kind of Raspberries Should I Use?
Fresh raspberries are the way to go for mojitos, though you can use frozen ones in a pinch. Red raspberries are the classic choice and will give your drink that beautiful rosy color, but black raspberries can work too if you want to mix things up. When picking fresh raspberries, look for ones that are bright in color, plump, and firm – if they’re mushy or showing any signs of mold, skip them. The best raspberries for muddling in cocktails are ones that are just ripe, as overripe berries can turn to mush too quickly and underripe ones won’t release enough juice or flavor.
Options for Substitutions
Need to switch things up with your mojito? Here are some helpful substitutions you can try:
- Fresh raspberries: If fresh raspberries aren’t in season, you can use frozen ones (just thaw them first). In a pinch, you could also use 1/2 ounce of raspberry puree or 3/4 ounce raspberry syrup.
- Mint leaves: Fresh mint is pretty important for a true mojito, but if you’re completely out, you can use 2-3 drops of mint extract – though it won’t be quite the same.
- Sugar syrup: No sugar syrup? Mix equal parts sugar and hot water until dissolved, then cool. Agave nectar works too, but use about 25% less since it’s sweeter.
- Lime juice: Always try to use fresh lime juice, but if needed, you can use bottled lime juice – just make sure it’s 100% lime juice with no added sugars.
- Raspberry-flavored rum: If you can’t find raspberry rum, use regular light rum and add an extra 2-3 raspberries or a splash of raspberry liqueur like Chambord.
- Soda water: Club soda, sparkling water, or even sprite (use less sugar syrup if using sprite) can work as alternatives.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making
The biggest mistake when making mojitos is not properly muddling the mint leaves – you want to gently press them to release their oils, but crushing them too hard will make your drink bitter and leave you with unpleasant bits of mint floating around. Another common error is adding too much sugar syrup, which can overpower the delicate balance between the tart raspberries and lime juice – start with the recommended amount and adjust to taste after mixing. When it comes to the soda water, avoid pouring it too forcefully as this can cause the drink to lose its fizz quickly – instead, pour it slowly down the side of the glass and give it just a gentle stir to combine. For the best flavor, make sure to use fresh raspberries rather than frozen ones, as they’ll muddle better and release more of their natural sweetness into the drink.
What to Serve With Raspberry Mojitos?
When serving raspberry mojitos at your next get-together, think about light and fresh appetizers that won’t overpower the drink’s fruity-minty flavor. Some chips and fresh guacamole or a plate of citrus-marinated shrimp would be perfect alongside these cocktails. I love putting out a cheese board with mild options like mozzarella and young gouda, plus some fresh berries to echo the raspberry in the drink. For a casual party setting, you could also serve some crispy plantain chips or coconut shrimp to bring in those tropical vibes that match so well with mojitos.
Storage Instructions
Mix Ahead: Want to prep for a party? You can combine the raspberries, mint, sugar syrup, lime juice, and both rums up to 4 hours ahead. Keep this mixture covered in the refrigerator, but don’t add the soda water until you’re ready to serve – this keeps the drink nice and fizzy.
Batch It: Making mojitos for a crowd? Multiply the recipe (except the soda water) and keep the mixture chilled in a pitcher. When guests arrive, just portion it out into glasses with fresh ice and top each one with soda water. Add fresh mint leaves and raspberries for garnish right before serving.
Serve Fresh: For the best taste and fizz, drink your raspberry mojito right after mixing. The fresh mint and raspberries are at their peak when first muddled, and the soda water is perfectly bubbly. If your drink sits for too long, the ice will melt and dilute those yummy flavors.
| Preparation Time | 5-10 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 0 minutes |
| Total Time | 5-10 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 150-200
- Protein: 0-1 g
- Fat: 0-1 g
- Carbohydrates: 20-25 g
Ingredients
- 5 fresh raspberries
- 5 mint leaves, torn
- 1/2 ounce sugar syrup
- 1/2 ounce lime juice
- 1 ounce light rum
- 1 ounce raspberry-flavored rum
- 2 ounces soda water
Step 1: Muddle the Base Ingredients
In a sturdy glass, combine fresh raspberries, mint leaves, lime juice, and simple syrup.
Use a muddler or the back of a spoon to gently muddle the ingredients together.
This helps release the flavors of the mint and raspberries while blending them with the lime and syrup.
Step 2: Add Rum and Club Soda
Pour both types of rum into the glass over the muddled mixture.
Follow by adding a splash of club soda to give the drink a refreshing fizz.
Stir gently to ensure all the flavors are well combined.
Step 3: Fill with Ice
Top up the glass with ice cubes, filling it to the brim.
This not only chills the drink but also keeps the flavors vibrant by keeping it cool.
Serve and Enjoy
Optionally, garnish the drink with a few extra mint leaves or a slice of lime for a fancy finish.
Sip and enjoy the refreshing blend of flavors in this delightful raspberry mint cocktail!
