Looking for a cool twist on your regular cocktail rotation? When summer rolls around and those standard drinks just aren’t cutting it anymore, it’s time to shake things up a bit. Let’s face it – traditional mojitos are great, but sometimes you want something that’ll make your friends do a double-take at your next backyard get-together.
That’s where this blue mojito comes in. It’s refreshing, fun to make, and adds an unexpected pop of color to your drink lineup – plus, it uses the same basic ingredients you already know and love from the classic version.
Why You’ll Love This Mojito
- Quick preparation – This cocktail comes together in just 5 minutes – perfect for when you want a refreshing drink without the wait.
- Eye-catching color – The blue curaçao gives this mojito a beautiful ocean-blue hue that makes it perfect for summer parties and poolside sipping.
- Fresh ingredients – Using fresh mint leaves and real lime juice (not the bottled stuff) makes this drink taste clean and crisp, just like they serve at high-end bars.
- Customizable sweetness – You can easily adjust the simple syrup to make it sweeter or more tart according to your taste preferences.
What Kind of Mint Should I Use?
For mojitos, spearmint is your best bet – it’s the traditional choice and has that classic, clean mint flavor we all know and love from the Cuban original. While you could use peppermint in a pinch, it tends to have a stronger, more intense flavor that might overpower the other ingredients. Fresh mint is absolutely key here – look for bright green leaves that aren’t wilted or brown around the edges. If you’re grabbing mint from the grocery store, give it a quick sniff – if there’s no minty aroma when you gently rub a leaf, keep looking for a fresher bunch. To get the most flavor from your mint leaves, remember to gently muddle them – you want to release the oils without shredding the leaves into tiny pieces.
Options for Substitutions
Want to make this mojito but missing some ingredients? Here are some helpful swaps:
- Blue curaçao: This gives the drink its signature blue color and orange flavor. If you can’t find it, use regular orange curaçao plus 2-3 drops of blue food coloring. For a non-alcoholic version, try blue raspberry syrup.
- White rum: While white rum is traditional for mojitos, you can use light gold rum instead. For a non-alcoholic version, use white grape juice mixed with a splash of rum extract.
- Fresh mint leaves: Fresh mint is pretty important for a true mojito taste, but in a pinch, you can use 2-3 drops of mint extract. Just add it at the end and don’t muddle.
- Simple syrup: Out of simple syrup? Mix equal parts sugar and hot water until dissolved, then cool. Or use agave nectar as a 1:1 replacement.
- Lime-flavored soda: Regular club soda works just fine here. You can even use sprite or 7-up, but then reduce the simple syrup by half since these are already sweetened.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making
The biggest mistake when making a blue mojito is roughly handling the mint leaves – instead of chopping or tearing them, gently muddle them with the simple syrup to release their oils without making them bitter. Another common error is using bottled lime juice, which can make your cocktail taste artificial and overly sour – always opt for freshly squeezed limes, and remember to strain out any pulp before mixing. The order of ingredients matters too – add your soda water last and give it just a gentle stir to maintain the carbonation, as over-mixing will make your drink fall flat. For the perfect balance, make sure to taste-test before serving since lime juices can vary in tartness, and don’t forget to chill your glass beforehand to keep your mojito crisp and refreshing longer.
What to Serve With Blue Mojitos?
When serving these bright blue mojitos, you’ll want some tasty snacks that match the drink’s tropical, refreshing vibe. Light seafood appetizers like coconut shrimp or fish tacos make perfect companions to these minty cocktails. Since mojitos have Cuban roots, try serving them alongside some crispy plantain chips with guacamole or Cuban sandwich sliders for a fun happy hour spread. If you’re keeping things simple, a bowl of salted nuts or citrus-marinated olives works great too – the salty snacks balance out the sweetness and citrus in the drink.
Storage Instructions
Prepare: This blue mojito is best enjoyed right after mixing while the soda water is still fizzy and the mint is fresh. If you’re planning a party, you can prep some components ahead – squeeze your lime juice and keep it in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
Mix Ahead: Want to get a head start? Mix the rum, blue curaçao, simple syrup, and lime juice up to 4 hours before serving. Keep this mixture chilled in the fridge, then just add the fresh mint leaves, muddle, and top with soda water when you’re ready to serve.
Serve: Pour your mojito over fresh ice right before serving – this keeps it cold and properly diluted. Add your garnishes at the last minute so the mint stays perky and green, and the lime slices look fresh.
| 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: 300-350
- Protein: 0-1 g
- Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40-50 g
Ingredients
- 5-7 fresh mint leaves (gently muddled to release oils)
- mint sprig (for garnish)
- lime slices (for garnish)
- 1.5 oz lime soda water
- 1 oz blue curaçao
- 1 oz simple syrup
- 2 oz fresh lime juice (key for a balanced mojito)
- 1.5 oz white rum (Bacardi is a good choice for mojitos)
Step 1: Muddle the Mint Leaves
Start by adding 5-7 fresh mint leaves to the bottom of a tall glass.
Pour in some Simple Syrup, enough to your taste.
Use a cocktail muddler to gently muddle the mint leaves for at least 1 minute.
This process releases the mint oil, enhancing the flavor of your cocktail.
Step 2: Prepare the Lime Juice
Squeeze 2-3 fresh limes to extract about 2 ounces of fresh lime juice.
You can use a citrus juicer for better efficiency and to ensure you get every last drop.
Step 3: Mix the Cocktail
Pour the freshly squeezed lime juice into the glass with the muddled mint leaves.
Add your preferred amount of light rum and Blue Curacao.
Stir the mixture well to ensure all the ingredients are blended together smoothly.
Step 4: Add Ice and Lime Wheels
Fill your cocktail glass with ice to the rim.
Insert 2-3 lime wheels down the side of the glass.
Wedge them between the glass and ice cubes to keep each lime slice in place, adding a visual appeal to your drink.
Step 5: Top Off and Garnish
Carefully top off your cocktail with lime tonic or regular club soda, allowing it to fizz and add a refreshing finish to your drink.
Garnish with a large sprig of mint and a lime wedge or lime wheel for an extra touch of elegance.
Serve immediately and enjoy this refreshing cocktail.
