Vodka Mojito

Here’s how to make a Vodka Mojito! You can still make a mojito recipe if there’s no rum on hand or you don’t love the spirit.

Can you make a Vodka Mojito? Yes, vodka works as a swap for rum in this classic drink. But should you make a mojito recipe with vodka? Well, that’s up for debate. Lose the rum and you’ve lost the tropical, fruity essence that’s at the heart of this drink. To us, there’s nothing like the Classic Mojito. But are you all out of rum or mixing a drink for someone who doesn’t like the stuff? We’ll allow it.

What’s in a vodka mojito?

The vodka 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. To make the vodka version of a Mojito, simply substitute an equal amount of vodka for the white rum. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Fresh mint
• Lime juice
• Simple syrup
• Vodka
• Soda water

A Mojito with vodka: pros and cons

Is a mojito recipe with vodka good? Can you substitute vodka in a mojito? Here’s our honest opinion:

• A vodka mojito loses the tropical fruitiness that’s the essence of a true Mojito. We don’t recommend it unless you ran out of rum or are mixing the drink for someone who can’t stand the stuff.
• The vodka mojito still tastes good! Think of it like a Vodka Gimlet with mint. It’s minty and refreshing. However, there’s almost no perception of alcohol since vodka is a very neutral spirit. It’s a little, dare we say it, boring.

Muddle the mint, then shake

All you’ve got to do for a vodka mojito? Muddle the mint, add the ingredients, and shake until cold. Muddling is gently mashing herbs or fruits to release their juices. Here’s more about the process for making this classic drink:

• Use a cocktail muddler. Here’s a great cocktail muddler, or you can use 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).

Better spins: the gin or tequila mojito

Don’t want to use rum, but want another idea for how to mix up this drink? Try the Gin Mojito or Tequila Mojito! These spins on the classic are more interesting than the vodka mojito, in our opinion.

The gin blends better and the tequila adds a bite to the finish of each sip, whereas the vodka is more neutral and hard to detect. It’s best with rum, but you could try your hand with gin or tequila if you have it on hand.

More mojito variations

We’ll be honest: the Vodka Mojito isn’t our favorite because rum is what gives the Mojito its personality! But we’ve got lots more spins on a mojito that are worth trying: some are even better than the original! Here are our top Mojito recipes:

• Try a fruity Pineapple Mojito, Watermelon Mojito, Strawberry Mojito or Raspberry Mojito
• Go citrusy with a Limoncello Mojito
• Opt for a creamy Coconut Mojito
• Drop the alcohol with a Virgin Mojito Mocktail
• Make a big Mojito Pitcher

01

Coconut Mojito

02

Pineapple Mojito

03

Watermelon Mojito

04

Virgin Mojito Mocktail

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