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The Gin Mojito is a tasty spin on the classic using gin instead of rum! It’s just as refreshing as the original.
Want to make a mojito but there’s no rum: make a Gin Mojito! Of course, a Mojito without rum does not equal a true Mojito. If you’re a cocktail connoisseur like I am, you’ll know the Gin Mojito is like a Gin Gimlet with mint and soda water.
But if you’re going to monkey with the alcohol in this classic drink, this is the best way to do it! It’s sweet tart and refreshing, with just the right hint of botanical gin. I’ve tried a vodka Mojito and tequila Mojito, but the gin version is by far the best variation!
What Is a Gin Mojito?
The gin mojito is a spin on the Mojito, a classic cocktail invented in Havana, Cuba. The modern version of this drink took off in America in the 1930’s when Ernest Hemingway helped to popularize it.
Replace the rum with gin and you have a gin mojito! It actually makes this drink similar to another classic cocktail: the Southside and the Southside Fizz, which have almost exactly the same ingredients.
Gin Mojito Ingredients
Of course, if you want to make a Mojito I recommend making the real thing with white rum! To make a gin spin, simply substitute an equal amount of gin for the white rum. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Fresh mint leaves: Make sure to use spearmint, not peppermint. (Here’s how to store fresh mint so it doesn’t turn black in the crisper.)
- Lime juice: Always use fresh citrus for cocktails.
- Simple syrup: Equal parts sugar and water: here’s how to make simple syrup. If you want to make a pitcher, try mint simple syrup.
- Gin: I like a dry gin that’s not too floral. More on which gin below.
- Club soda: Aka seltzer (Here’s the difference, if you’re curious.)
More gin spins on classics? Try the Red Snapper, Gin and Coke, Gin Sour, or Gin Gin Mule.
How to Make a Gin Mojito
The main skill for making a Gin Mojito? Muddling! Muddling is gently mashing herbs or fruits to release their juices. All you’ll need to do for this drink is muddle the mint, then add the remaining ingredients. Here’s what to do:
- Use a cocktail muddler. Use this cocktail muddler, or an unfinished wooden spoon.
- Muddle the mint first. Gently mash the herb to get out all the oils. Do this right in the cocktail shaker.
- Add the drink ingredients, ice and shake! Then strain out the drink into the glass. Don’t have a cocktail shaker? You can use a glass jar with a cover (poke holes in the lid to strain it out).
Best Gin for a Gin Mojito
The best gin for a Gin Mojito? Well, if you’re monkeying with a rum drink already: anything goes! Here are some of our top choices and what we’d steer clear of:
- Malfy gin has a great flavor that blends well in cocktails.
- Local gin: local gin can be top notch! In Indianapolis we buy from 8th Day Distillery or Hotel Tango
- What to avoid: To us, Tanqueray gin is very floral and can overpower drinks. Opihr gin is has very forward spices (in this drink, it almost tasted like cumin!)
Garnishes and Variations
- Add a cucumber ribbon down the inside of the glass, spa-water style.
- Berries, muddled in with the mint, like my Blackberry Mojito, Blueberry Mojito, Strawberry Mojito or Raspberry Mojito
- Basil instead of mint, which lands you close to a gin basil smash.
- Zero-proof: skip the gin entirely and make a virgin mojito mocktail.
Can You Batch It?
Yes! Go to my Pitcher Mojito recipe and use gin instead.
Gin Mojito
The Gin Mojito is a tasty spin on the classic using gin instead of rum! It’s just as refreshing as the original.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Shaken
- Cuisine: Cocktails
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 6 mint leaves, plus additional for garnish
- 1 ounce* lime juice
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- 2 ounces gin
- 2 to 4 ounces soda water
- Ice, for serving (try clear ice!)
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle the mint leaves. Add the lime juice, syrup, and gin and fill the cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until cold.
- Place ice into a glass, and strain in the drink. Top off the glass with soda water. Garnish with additional mint leaves and lime wedges.
This gin mojito recipe looks refreshing and easy to make! I can’t wait to try it out on a hot summer day.
Very well done!
Let us know if you have any questions!