Ingredients
- 10 Mint Leaves
- 30 ml Fresh Lime Juice
- 15 ml Sugar Syrup
- Soda Water
- Ice
- Mint Sprig
Instructions
- In a tall glass, gently muddle the mint with the lime juice and sugar syrup.
- Fill with crushed ice.
- Top with soda water.
- Stir once.
- Garnish with a mint sprig and a lime wheel.
Notes
Where it came from
The Mojito comes from Cuba and dates back at least to the 16th century in some form. The Virgin Mojito (Mojito sin alcohol) is exactly the same drink minus the rum and has always been on Cuban bar menus for kids, designated drivers, and pregnant women. It’s never been a marketing-led mocktail , it’s been available as long as the drink has existed.
The Virgin Mojito became prominent on global menus in the 2010s as the mocktail movement gained traction. It’s now standard in any bar that takes mocktails seriously.
What it tastes like
Bright lime, fresh mint, slight sugar sweetness, fizzy soda. The same flavour profile as a classic Mojito but without the warm rum character. Lighter, more juice-like, more refreshing in summer heat.
Done right, you don’t miss the rum. Done badly (over-sweetened, dried mint, cheap lime), it tastes like sugar water. The mint and the fresh lime are non-negotiable.
Drink Buddy Exclusive
Tell us what's in your cabinet.
Our Cocktail Builder takes whatever bottles you've got and hands you every drink you can actually make tonight.
Open the Builder →Get the Drink Buddy newsletter
One drink, one tip, one Tuesday a month.
Plus the recipes we drop before they hit the site. Zero spam.
Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
The mint
- Use
- Fresh peppermint or spearmint leaves (cooler ones, not yerba buena)
- Skip
- Dried mint, mint extract, mint syrup (all taste artificial)
- Why
- Fresh mint is the soul of this drink. No fresh mint, no Mojito.
The lime
- Use
- Fresh-squeezed lime juice (Persian or key lime)
- Skip
- Bottled lime juice (single biggest reason a Mojito tastes bad)
- Why
- Bottled lime tastes flat, plasticky, and wrong. Fresh is essential.
The sugar
- Use
- Simple syrup (1:1 sugar:water) or fine white sugar
- Try
- Demerara syrup for darker, more molasses character
- Why
- Simple syrup mixes faster than granulated sugar in cold drinks.
Variations
Other mint-led drinks and tropical refreshers.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Skip the drink. Dried mint and extracts both taste artificial. Find a different mocktail.
Lemon works at a stretch but the drink will be brighter and less Mojito-like.
2 tsp of fine white sugar muddled with the lime juice and mint. Caster sugar dissolves faster.
Cubed ice works but waters the drink down faster. Ideally crush cubed ice in a tea towel with a rolling pin.
Add 4-5 fresh strawberries or raspberries to the muddle for a Strawberry Virgin Mojito.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Virgin Mojito?
A Virgin Mojito is fresh mint leaves, fresh lime juice, simple syrup or sugar, soda water, and crushed ice in a highball glass. It’s a Mojito without the rum.
How do you make a Virgin Mojito?
Add 10 mint leaves and 30ml lime juice to a highball glass. Add 15ml simple syrup. Muddle gently. Fill with crushed ice. Top with 120ml soda water. Stir gently. Garnish with a mint sprig and lime wedge.
Is a Virgin Mojito the same as a Cuban Mojito without rum?
Yes. Cuban bars have always made Mojitos without rum for non-drinkers. The drink is identical to a regular Mojito minus the 60ml of white rum.
Does a Virgin Mojito taste like a regular Mojito?
Very close. The mint, lime, sugar, and soda do most of the flavour work. The rum adds warmth and weight; without it the drink is brighter and lighter, more juice-like.
Can I use mint extract instead of fresh mint?
No. Mint extract tastes like toothpaste or mouthwash in a Mojito. The drink relies on the oils released from fresh muddled mint leaves. There’s no shortcut.
How do you keep the mint from going bitter?
Muddle gently. Bruised mint releases bitter chlorophyll. You want to express the oils, not destroy the leaves. 10-15 seconds of light pressing is enough.
Is a Virgin Mojito healthy?
Compared to a Mojito with rum, yes (no alcohol). Compared to plain water, no (sugar and lime juice). It’s a treat drink, not a hydration drink.
What food pairs with a Virgin Mojito?
Cuban food (rice and beans, roast pork, ceviche), seafood, anything spicy, summer salads. The mint and lime cut through fat and heat.
More Like This
More mocktails when you’re skipping the booze.
