Mojito Day: Try these simple mojito recipes with a twist

Pineapple and ginger mojito by Foo. Pic/Foo

The US observes July 11 as National Mojito Day every year. Incredibly popular across the globe, this refreshing minty cocktail is ideal for the scorching Indian summer or even the humid rainless days in the monsoon. Native to Cuba, the traditional Mojito is made with a few basic ingredients: white rum, sugar, mint, lemon, and soda. However, much like every classic, mixologists across the city are experimenting with their flavourful variants. Whether you like bold flavours or subtle enhancements, here are a few simple recipes that add a twist to this classic cocktail.

Pineapple and Ginger Mojito

"We thought of doing something tropical, because it matches our weather in Mumbai perfectly well. Mojitos are extremely popular because it's such a light and refreshing cocktail overall. At Foo we like to do things a little differently. The taste profile of pineapple complements the flavour of ginger - adding a sublime spicy kick compared to the sweet and tangy taste of the pineapple. We always get compliments on this one," says Tony Nambiyar, Mixologist at Foo.

Ingredients

Lime wedges 4
Mint 8-10 leaves
Lime juice 22.5 ml
White rum 45 ml
Ginger syrup 12.5 ml
Pineapple juice 90 ml
Soda to top

Method

Add Lime wedges and mint along with the syrup to muddle.

Once muddled top with white rum with lots of crushed ice and add pineapple juice.

Top it with a little soda.

Garnish it with a mint sprig.

Breakfast Mojito

"This one is inspired by the Breakfast Martini created by Salvatore Calabrese back in 2000. As Mojito is a tropical drink the freshness of the bitter orange marmalade is a perfect twist to further enhance the flavour profile of the drink," says Mr Manoj Jangid, Director Food and Beverage, JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar.

Ingredients

Bacardi Rum 60ml
Lemon Wedges 5 pieces
Fresh Mint 8-10 leaves
Orange Marmalade 1 Teaspoon
Caster Sugar 5 gms

Highball glass
Fresh Orange and Mint sprig for garnish

Method

Place the lemon, mint, sugar, and orange marmalade into the bottom of a cocktail shaker, muddle all the ingredients gently.

Add the rum and ice in the shaker, shake it for 20 seconds.

Pour the Cocktail in a highball glass and top it up with sparkling water

Garnish it with orange slices and mint sprig.

Cucumber Chilli Mojito

"We wanted to create a drink that is refreshing and has a nice kick to it and what better combination than a cucumber and chilly. The cucumber also elevates the drink from 'Farm To Bar' level," shared Juliano Rodrigues, Chef and General Manager, Out of The Blue.

Ingredients

Fresh lime wedges 4
Fresh mint leaves 12
Fresh cucumber cubes 4
Fresh green chilli 1 pcs
Fresh cucumber ribbon 1 ps
Soda 60 ml
Sprite 60 ml
Fresh lime juice 15 ml
Simple syrup 15 ml
Bacardi White 60 Ml
Ice cubes 4

Method

Muddle the lime wedges, mint leaves, cucumber cubes and 1/2 green chilli.

Pour the muddled mix in Tom Collins glass and start building up the drink.

Add simple syrup or sugar syrup followed by soda, sprite and lime juice.

Add Bacardi and ice cubes.

Garnish with long cucumber ribbon, mint spring and 1/2 chilli.

Basil and Ginger Mojito

Those who wish to add just a little zing to their mojito without straying a lot from the flavour profile can turn to this simple basil and ginger version by The Sassy Spoon.

Ingredients

White Rum 60 ML
Basil 5-6 leaves
Ginger 4-5 thinly sliced sleeves
Lime wedges 5-6
Brown sugar 5-10 gms
Soda water to top up

Method

Add ginger sleeves with lime wedges and brown sugar in a tall glass, muddle thoroughly.

Add basil leaves and muddle gently.

Add crushed ice in the glass and add white rum, mix all the ingredients thoroughly.

Top up with soda water.

Garnish with Basil leaves and ginger sleeve.