Virgin Mojito Mocktail

This virgin Mojito recipe has all the minty flavor of the classic cocktail: without the rum! This standout Mojito mocktail is the perfect non-alcoholic drink.

Love a good Mojito? Then let us introduce you to the very best mocktail version of it: this Virgin Mojito recipe! It has all the minty flavor of the original, without the rum. This makes it perfect for people avoiding alcohol (maybe you!), and people like us who love to entertain. Make up our Classic Mojito for some guests, and this Mojito mocktail for others! Here’s what to know about this drink…and the secret ingredient that makes it beyond delicious.

Ingredients in this virgin Mojito recipe

The Classic Mojito is a cocktail with rum, mint and lime invented in Havana, Cuba, and it remains one of the most popular classic cocktails to date. The origins of the Mojito are cloudy: some say it was invented in the 1500s, others claim it was in the 1800’s with the birth of the Bacardi rum company. But its place as an iconic Cuban cocktail was solidified by the 1930’s when Ernest Hemingway helped to popularize the drink.

This virgin Mojito recipe is a riff on the classic, without the rum! But it has another interesting ingredient that makes it even tastier:

• Fresh mint
• Lime juice
• Orgeat syrup or simple syrup
• Soda water or tonic water

What is orgeat syrup? Why add it to a Mojito mocktail?

When Alex and I were tinkering with this virgin Mojito recipe, I spied a bottle of orgeat syrup in our fridge we used to make a Mai Tai a while back. Could the nuance of flavor in this special cocktail syrup mimic the flavor of rum? No surprise: the almond citrus flavor of the orgeat was just what this mocktail needed. It’s not required of course, but it’s fun and makes this drink taste even better. What exactly is orgeat?

• Orgeat syrup is a non-alcoholic almond syrup used for sweetening cocktails. It has a distinctive nutty flavor with a hint of citrus that’s hard to replicate. It’s easy to find orgeat at your local liquor store or online.
• How do you pronounce orgeat? Say Or-ZHAAT in your best French accent, where the “ZH” is like the J in the name Jacque.
• What other cocktails use it? Use it to make a classic Mai Tai: it makes the drink!
• How much does orgeat syrup cost? You can grab a bottle for about $10. It’s easy to find online: here’s the orgeat syrup we have.

Don’t want to buy orgeat? No problem: just use simple syrup! It’s easy to make at home and perfect for cocktails and mocktails of all kinds. Want even more mint in your mocktail? Try our Mint Simple Syrup.

The right way to muddle mint

The only other thing to note about a virgin Mojito recipe: how to muddle! Muddling is gently mashing herbs or fruits to release their juices. This helps the flavors incorporate better in drinks. Is there a right way to muddle? In fact, there is! Here’s how to muddle mint…the right way:

• Place the mint leaves in the bottom of a cocktail shaker. If you don’t have one, you can use a large metal cup or bowl.
• With a wooden cocktail muddler or unfinished wooden spoon, gently mash the mint a few times to release the juices. Do not mash the mint with a lot of force! The key to muddling is a light touch.

Variations: Muddle raspberries with the mint for a Raspberry Mojito, or strawberries for a Strawberry Mojito, or peach slices for a Peach Mojito. Or try a Mojito Pitcher that makes 8 servings!

Soda water vs tonic water: use either in this virgin Mojito recipe!

Some drinks call especially for soda water, also known as sparkling water or seltzer. The “rickey” family of cocktails uses only soda water, like the Lime Rickey, Cherry Lime Rickey, and Raspberry Lime Rickey. But others call for tonic water. Guess what: you can use either in this virgin Mojito recipe! What’s the difference?

• Soda water, aka sparkling water or seltzer, is carbonated water with no additives. We use our SodaStream to make soda water for drinks, and just for drinking.
• Tonic water is carbonated water with added quinine and sugar. It makes a noticeably different flavor in this drink since it’s sweeter and has a bitter finish. But we like it because it adds intrigue and nuance to the flavor: especially important for mocktails because they have no alcohol and can end up tasting like glorified juice.

More mocktail recipes

What we love about mocktails is that they make gatherings fun. Serve the cocktail to people who want alcohol, and the mocktail to those avoiding it! Here are some other great mocktail recipes we love:

• Try the Virgin Margarita, or the Classic Margarita with tequila
• Opt for fruity Virgin Piña Colada or the Classic Piña Colada with rum
• Try a Virgin Strawberry Daiquiri, or go for the Classic Strawberry Daiquiri with rum
• Grab a Virgin Bloody Mary, or the Classic Bloody Mary with vodka

When to serve this virgin Mojito recipe

A virgin Mojito mocktail is fun and festive, perfect for parties and entertaining or simply sipping on the patio! It’s great as a:

• Summer drink
• Baby shower drink
• Bridal shower drink or bachelorette party drink
• Girls night drink
• Happy hour drink
• Dinner party drink
• Brunch drink (Mother’s Day, etc)

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