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Whether you’re on vacation or just wishing you were relaxing poolside, there’s never a wrong time to indulge in a mojito. First crafted in Havana, Cuba (and purportedly a favorite of author Ernest Hemingway), this beloved drink is one of the most refreshing cocktails around.
With a mix of rum, fresh lime, mint, and soda water, it also has the potential to be one of the healthiest cocktails on the menu—depending on how it's made, of course. So why not indulge in the flavorful treat at your next happy hour or evening in? Whether your tastes tend toward the traditional recipe or playful, fruit-forward variations, no party or cocktail hour is complete without a well-made mojito. Read on to discover seven of the best rums for mojitos, and then learn how to make one at home.
Caña Brava
A favorite among artisan cocktail experts like David Kaplan of Death & Co., Caña Brava is smooth, silky, and a little bit fruity with just a touch of sweetness. One of a few high-profile rums made in Panama, this favorite variation is still true to the traditional Cuban roots of its master distiller.
Bacardí Silver
Why swap out a good thing? This classic standard is one of the all-time best rums for mojitos. Incredibly versatile and inexpensive enough for batching, Bacardí is just the right combination of smooth and flavorful—making it a perfect choice for mixed cocktails (like mojitos).
Selvarey
This copper-distilled and cask-aged white rum has hints of vanilla and oak that shine through the sugarcane. Another work of art by master distiller Francisco “Don Pancho” Fernandez (also of Caña Brava fame), Selvarey is smooth and complex enough to sip. This rum will definitely take your mojito to the next level.
Rhum Barbancourt White
Subtly spiced and ideal for mixing, this Haitian rum is distilled using the same methods utilized in the French cognac-making tradition. A creative choice for those looking for something off the beaten path, Rhum Barbancourt is excellent for the local Cuban mojito variation made with yerba buena.
Havana Club Añejo Blanco
Savory, citrus-forward, and designed to be paired with mint and lime, this Puerto Rican rum reflects some of the oldest distilling traditions in Cuba. Mildly oaky and tropical, Havana Club Añejo Blanco is one of the all-time best rums for mojitos.
Mount Gay Silver Rum
Mount Gay Silver Rum ($20)
Made in Barbadoes, Mount Gay rum contains fine sugar cane, molasses, and pure filtered water. You'll taste notes of banana, mint, and citrus—perfect for mixing up into a sweet mojito.
Cruzan Aged Light Rum
Cruzan Aged Light Rum ($11)
This aged light rum comes from the Virgin Islands and is aged from one to four years in American oak casks before a filtration process creates a full-bodied taste. Because it's been aged, it offers a smooth taste for a luxe mixed drink.
How to Make a Mojito
Ingredients:
6 mint leaves
3/4 oz. simple syrup (or 1 to 2 sugar cubes)
3/4 oz. lime juice (or about half a lime)
Dash of orange bitters
2 oz. rum
Soda water fill
Directions:
Muddle mint, sugar, and lime in the base of a shaker glass, optionally with a dash of bitters. Add rum, lightly shake, and then strain into a glass filled with ice. Fill the remainder of the glass with soda water, and garnish with fresh mint.
Up next: 11 tasty mojito recipes.
This post was originally published on December 31, 2017, and has since been updated.
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