Summer Strawberry Mojito

Summer strawberries meet fresh mint and rum in this sensational Strawberry Mojito cocktail. This extra fruity cocktail contains both fresh strawberries and strawberry simple syrup to make the most of strawberries in season. Makes one cocktail but includes directions to make a pitcher.

Looking for super tasty super easy summer cocktails? You are in the right place! How about a refreshing Moscow Mule or fiery Spicy Pineapple Margarita? These two cocktails are a great way to beat the summer heat and like I always say, “It’s five o’clock somewhere!”

Summer Strawberry Mojito

It hasn’t been too long since I shared my Blueberry Mojito recipe with you. Today the fruity summer drink recipe trend continues with this outstanding Strawberry Mojito. While the two cocktails are both rum based, they do have a few differences.

This Strawberry Mojito recipe contains homemade strawberry simple syrup in addition to muddled fresh strawberries. One taste and you’ll notice how the strawberry simple syrup emphasizes this sweet summer fruit. The simple syrup recipe makes enough strawberry syrup to make 8 individual mojitos or an entire pitcher.

Strawberries. Mint. Lime. Rum. Could a cocktail be any easier? It certainly cannot be any more refreshing, especially when you use sweet red strawberries in season! I hope you enjoy this cocktail as much a I did. Okay maybe not as much as I did…wink wink, nudge nudge. Enjoy responsibly, everyone!

What is a Mojito?

The Cubans are known for two classic rum cocktails. One is the Cuba Libre, with cola, lime, and rum. The other is a mojito. A classic mojito contains mint, sugar, soda water, rum and lime. These ingredients may seem simple, but it is the technique that really allows all the ingredients to shine.

As with many classic cocktails, the origin of the mojito is a bit muddled (see what I did there?). Stories range from a South American Indian digestive remedy, to thirsty African slaves working in the sugar cane fields, and even the explorer Sir Francis Drake as the inventor of the mojito.

Cuba is a rum-loving (and producing!) country and mojitos are at the heart and soul of the island. One of the most famous bars serving mojitos is La Bodeguita del Medio in Havana, which supposedly gained notoriety as a favourite haunt of writer Ernest Hemingway. Who knows if the legend is true but it sure makes a good story!

Ingredients for a Strawberry Mojito

• Strawberries
• Sugar
• Water
• Fresh Mint Leaves
• Lime
• White Rum
• Soda Water, Club Soda, or Sparkling Water

The essence of a mojito is rum. You can use anything from Bacardi light rum to a more interesting rum base, depending on how much you are willing to spend. Recommendation: Havana Club Anejo 3 Anos. For an interesting spin, try making it with demerara rum from El Dorado.

There’s really no escaping it, you must use fresh ingredients in this cocktail. Fresh strawberries at the peak of ripeness will give this cocktail maximum strawberry flavour. Fresh lime juice provides the acidity and a suitable garnish when cut into slices.

However, it’s the fresh mint leaves that are the most essential. Muddling the lime leaves with a cocktail muddler releases oils from the leaves which then combine with the rum to make cocktail magic.

How to Make Strawberry Simple Syrup

Strawberry Simple Syrup is simple to make (it’s in the name!) and takes very little time and effort. This recipe makes 8 ounces of syrup so you’ll be able to make many mojitos, my friends! This simple syrup will keep for up to a month in the fridge so you can make a mojito whenever the mood hits.

To make the Strawberry Simple Syrup, place one cup of water, one cup sugar, and one cup of diced strawberries in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium high heat, then reduce the heat to a slow simmer.

Stir and simmer the syrup until all of the sugar has dissolved. Allow the syrup to cool to room temperature then strain out the strawberries. Store your jar of simple syrup in the refrigerator for 3-4 weeks.

By the way, you can use this simple syrup in other cocktails. I highly recommend pairing it with tequila in a Margarita or with vodka and ginger beer for a strawberry Moscow Mule. It’s also delicious poured over ice cream.

How to Make Strawberry Mojito

Three tools that are essential when making a mojito are a tall glass, a cocktail muddler, and a long spoon for stirring. It is essential that the cocktail is properly stirred so that all the flavours mix together. Sometimes the syrup/mint/rum sinks to the bottom so I also like to serve this drink with a stir stick.

To make one Strawberry Mojito, place 6-8 mint leaves and 1-2 chopped strawberries in the bottom of a tall glass. Next, use a cocktail muddler to muddle the strawberries and mint together. Push down with the muddler and turn to muddle rather than smashing the muddler down on the strawberries and mint.

Nest, fill the glass to 2/3 with ice then add one ounce of strawberry simple syrup, 2 ounces of rum, and one ounce of lime juice to the glass. Stir them to mix the flavours, then fill the glass with sparkling water or soda water.

Gently stir the cocktail to redistribute the rum, mint, and strawberries. Finally, garnish with a sprig of mint, a slice of lime, and sliced strawberries.

How To Make a Pitcher of Strawberry Mojito Cocktails

If you are making strawberry mojitos for a crowd, muddling each individual drink can get tiresome. Luckily there is an easier way to make a pitcher of mojitos. In addition to a strawberry simple syrup, you can add minty flavor with a mint simple syrup. Keep a close eye on the sweetness and adjust accordingly.

To make mint simple syrup for 8 mojitos: Combine 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup water, and eight sprigs of mint in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and let it simmer for two minutes and stir until sugar is completely dissolved. Let it cool and steep until it reaches room temperature. Strain the mint leaves out before using.

To make a pitcher of mojitos using both syrups: Place the strawberry and mint simple syrups, 1 cup fresh lime juice and 2 1/2 cups fresh strawberries in a pitcher. Use a muddler to gently crush, releasing the mint oils and strawberry juices.

Add 2 cups of white rum to the pitcher and stir. Place a sprig of fresh mint leaves in each highball glass, then fill it 2/3 full with ice cubes. Divide the premixed mojitos among the glasses and top each cocktail up with club soda. Garnish with sliced strawberries and a lime wheel.

If you make this Strawberry Mojito recipe, please be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Pinterest for my latest recipes. Also, if you do make this recipe, please tag me on Instagram, I’d love to see what you guys are making! Thank you so much for reading my blog.