Alcohol-Free Mojito: Virgin Mojito Recipe Without Alcohol
Alcohol-free mojito has the same base as the Cuban classic: fresh mint, lime, sugar syrup, soda water and a generous amount of ice. With no rum, the drink is lighter and the mint and lime stand out more. To keep it from tasting like an ordinary lemonade, however, the balance between sour and sweet has to be right.
The recipe is intended for one tall glass. If a virgin mojito (the term commonly used for the alcohol-free version in bars) feels too light without rum, an alcohol-free rum alternative can give it a fuller flavour.
Ingredients for an alcohol-free mojito
For one tall glass of alcohol-free mojito, you will need:
- fresh mint
- lime
- fresh lime juice
- sugar syrup
- soda water
- crushed ice
To make sugar syrup at home, simply dissolve sugar in the same amount of water in a saucepan, for example 100 g of sugar in 100 ml of water. If you do not want to make your own, use a ready-made option from our range of syrups. The soda water should be sparkling and neutral in flavour. Highly mineralised sparkling water can add a salty aftertaste to the drink, so it is better to choose bar soda such as Thomas Henry Soda Water. It has only mild mineralisation and was created specifically for mixed drinks.
Choose mint with firm leaves and no brown spots. Wilted mint has a weak aroma and makes the drink taste bland.
How to make an alcohol-free mojito step by step
Ingredients
- 10 tickets fresh mint
- 1 ks lime
- 20 ml fresh lime juice
- 15 ml syrup
- 120 ml soda
- crushed ice
Virgin Mojito
Non-alcoholic mojito is a refreshing drink made with mint, lime, sugar syrup, soda, and crushed ice. It has a distinct citrus-mint flavor, a pleasant sweet and sour balance, and refreshes even without alcohol.
Preparation Steps
- Step 1: Muddle lime with syrup: In a glass, add 2 quarters of lime, pour in 15 ml of sugar syrup, and press them a few times with a pestle to release the juice and aroma from the peel.
- Step 2: Add mint: Drop 10 mint leaves and gently press them only two or three times. The leaves should release their aroma, not be crushed into a paste that would clog the straw.
- Step 3: Add juice and ice: Pour 20 ml of lime juice and fill the glass approximately two-thirds with crushed ice.
- Step 4: Top up with soda: Slowly pour 120 ml of chilled soda, ideally down the back of a spoon, so the bubbles don't escape unnecessarily.
- Step 5: Mix and garnish: Stir the drink with a long spoon from the bottom up to mix the mint and syrup with the ice. Fill the glass to the rim with ice, garnish with a sprig of mint and a lime wheel, and serve with a straw.
Ratio and tips for a balanced virgin mojito
The basic ratio is 20 ml of lime juice to 15 ml of sugar syrup and 120 ml of soda water. Lime slightly outweighs the sweetness, keeping the drink refreshing without making it overly sweet.
Want a sweeter version? Simply add another 5 ml of syrup. For a less sweet drink, reduce the amount of syrup to 10 ml.
Crushed ice chills the drink quickly and keeps the mint distributed throughout the glass. Ice cubes melt more slowly, so if you plan to drink it slowly, feel free to use them instead. Keep both the soda water and limes chilled before mixing so the ice does not melt unnecessarily quickly.
What to use instead of rum in an alcohol-free mojito
Tip: The photo shows Undone No.1 Not Rum and Captain Morgan Spiced Gold Alcohol Free, two alcohol-free rum alternatives from our range of alcohol-free spirits.
Without rum, mojito is refreshing, but it lacks some of the body and lightly spiced finish that white rum gives the classic version. An alcohol-free rum alternative can add both. Pour in 50 ml together with the lime juice and reduce the soda water to 100 ml to keep the flavour balanced. The remaining ingredients and preparation method stay the same.
Undone No.1 Not Rum works well in mojito. It is based on Jamaican rum essence and offers notes of mango, papaya and sugar cane. It is not intended to be drunk neat, but rather in mixed drinks. You can also find a virgin mojito recipe using it in our article about tasting alcohol-free spirits.
For a darker and spicier version, use Captain Morgan Spiced Gold Alcohol Free, an alcohol-free version of the well-known rum-based spiced spirit with notes of vanilla, caramel and brown spices. It is sweeter, so you can reduce the amount of syrup. You can find more options among our alcohol-free spirits.
Alcohol-free mojito with Monin syrup
Tip: Simply combine Monin Mojito Mint syrup with lime and soda water, for example Thomas Henry Soda Water. More flavours can be found in our range of syrups.
The quickest way to make an alcohol-free mojito is with mint syrup. Monin Mojito Mint syrup contains water, sugar and natural mint flavouring, so it replaces the sugar syrup in the same amount, 15 ml.
The method stays the same: muddle the syrup with the lime wedges, add 20 ml of lime juice, ice and 120 ml of soda water. You can leave out the fresh mint, although a few leaves will still enhance the aroma of the drink.
Alcohol-free mojito and its Cuban inspiration
Virgin mojito takes its flavour base from the Cuban mojito, where white rum is combined with mint, lime, sugar and soda water. We explain where the classic comes from and how to make it with rum in our article about the mojito cocktail.
The most common mistakes when making an alcohol-free mojito
A poorly made alcohol-free mojito tastes either like sweet water or crushed grass. Usually, one of these mistakes is to blame:
- Mint crushed into a pulp. The leaves only need to be pressed gently. Crushed pieces clog the straw and make the drink taste more like grass than mint.
- Too little ice. A few cubes melt quickly, leaving a lukewarm, diluted drink. Fill the glass with ice all the way to the top.
- Soda water added too early. If you add it long before serving, the bubbles disappear. Add it only just before serving.
- Syrup left at the bottom of the glass. Unmixed syrup stays at the bottom, leaving the drink sour at the top and overly sweet at the bottom. Always stir the drink from the bottom before serving.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between an alcohol-free mojito and a virgin mojito?
There is none. They are two names for the same drink. The word virgin is commonly used in bars for the alcohol-free version of a cocktail. Alcohol-free mojito, virgin mojito and non-alcoholic mojito therefore all refer to a mojito without rum.
How do you make alcohol-free mojito in a pitcher for several people?
For four glasses, muddle 8 lime wedges with 60 ml of sugar syrup in a pitcher, add 40 mint leaves and 80 ml of lime juice. Add the ice and 480 ml of soda water only just before serving, otherwise the drink will lose its carbonation.
What can I use instead of soda water?
The closest substitute is unflavoured sparkling water with a low mineral content. Lemon soda will make the drink sweeter, so leave out the syrup if you use it. Tonic water is not ideal for mojito because its bitterness overpowers the mint.
Can I use dried mint?
Dried mint is not suitable for mojito. It releases very little aroma in a cold drink and the small pieces float on the surface. If you do not have fresh mint, use mint syrup instead, as it will provide the aroma more reliably.
Is alcohol-free mojito suitable during pregnancy?
The basic recipe made with mint, lime, sugar syrup and soda water contains no alcohol. When using alcohol-free spirits, always check the alcohol content stated on the label of the specific product.
Conclusion
Alcohol-free mojito is built around fresh mint, lime and well-chilled soda water. Stick to a ratio of 20 ml of lime juice, 15 ml of sugar syrup and 120 ml of soda water, press the mint only gently and do not skimp on the ice. For a fuller flavour, add 50 ml of an alcohol-free rum alternative and use only 100 ml of soda water. If you are in a hurry, replace the sugar syrup with mint syrup.
You can find syrups, soda waters and other alcohol-free drinks in our alcohol-free drinks category. If you are driving, stick to the basic version or choose an alcohol-free spirit labelled 0.0%.
