From Havana to Highball: The Cultural Journey of the Mojito

Where does Mojitos come from? A classic drink championing flavour and fresh ingredients, the mojito has been one of the most refreshing cocktails in history.

They have a minty, sweet and tangy taste with a rum concoction. Mentioning mojito creates the image of drinkers in bars having fun with their friends. Getting the attention through James Bond and Johnny Depp movies, this ultimate drink’s origin is mysterious. 

Let us unravel the mystery behind the origin of mojitos together.

1. Where do Mojitos Come From?

The origin of this cocktail is traced back to 1586 in Havana, Cuba. The exact origins are still unknown, but one theory suggests that Sir Francis Drake, a pirate, visited the Cuban shore to take the gold. He did not complete his mission and sailed away, but his arrival became very eventful, worthy enough to name a drink after him, Draque, a cocktail made of cane spirit, sugar, lime and rum. 

Mojito was commonly used as a medicinal drink in Havana, Cuba and was given to patients with scurvy and dysentery. Local South American Indians used to know about many remedies, so they used them to cure patients. It was initially famous as El Draque after Sir Francis Drake.

Many stories suggest that the mojito was a favourite cocktail of Ernst Hemingway and he used to enjoy it during his visit to La Bodeguita del Medio, in Havana, Cuba. It was the most famous bar in Havana, Cuba.

It is said that African slaves working in the sugar cane mills created mojito. They used “aguardiente de caña” which translates to “burning water of the sugar cane” along with lime, rum, and mint.

2. Origin of Name Mojito

The naming of this cocktail has another different story. Many theories suggest that mojito originated from Cuban “mojo,” a lime seasoning that translates to a little spell. Others suggest that the name came from the Spanish word “mojadito” which translates to “lightly wet”. 

Nonetheless, the popularity of its name was due to the Bacardi Company. They famously made mojitos and advertised many campaigns to make authentic mojitos at home. Mojito word was used for the first time in the Sloppy Joe’s Menu under the section of Bacardi Drinks. After its naming, it became so famous that there are hundreds of recipes with a bit of spin of their own.

3. The Classic Recipe of Mojito

Nowadays, the mojito has been modified and updated in every country. It is undoubtedly one of the favorite drinks of Americans, and they love to gulp it down in the Hawaiian beaches. The reason for its popularity lies in its simplicity. It is simple but a perfect blend of flavours needed to refresh you in the sweating summers. The original mojito recipe is as follows:

    3.1. Ingredients

• Sugarcane Juice
• White Rum
• Fresh Mint
• Fresh lime juice
• Club Soda

3.2. Steps to Prepare the Perfect Mojito

These are the essential ingredients to make the timeless classic mojito. Bartenders in Havana are famous for making this classic mojito. Add a spoonful of raw sugar, or sugar cane juice smack your mint leaves and add them to your highball glass, followed by lime juice, and in the end, club soda. 

Simple syrup will suffice, but raw sugar is best. Do not cut the mint leaves, instead crush them so that all the essential oils are released and you get the minty flavour. Yerba buena was the mint used in Cuban bars to create the original mojito.

Garnish it with some lime wedges. Here it is, the refreshing drink to calm your mind. The non-alcoholic version of mojito is called virgin mojito. All the ingredients are the same in virgin mojito, except the rum is not added. This made this a favourite drink for children, too.

4. Variations of Mojito

Nowadays, Mojito has been modified and updated in so many ways that there are hundreds of variations. 

4.1. Coconut Mojito

The tropical sweetness and creamy texture of coconut, infused with the flavours of lime and soda, make this irresistible coconut mojito. Add some cream of coconut in a highball glass, then muddle some mint sprig with soda, coconut rum, lime and sugar. Add ice in the end to get the coolest coconut mojito. Garnish with lemon wedge and mint.

4.2. Strawberry Mojito

Another unique cocktail which is perfect for summer is the strawberry mojito. The sweet flavour of strawberries adds a new taste to this drink. Crush some mint in the glass, then gently muddle strawberries.

Crushing fresh strawberries instead of adding strawberry syrup is essential. Then, add lime juice, white rum, and soda water to make this vibrant drink. Use a cocktail muddler to crush mints and berries.

4.3. Pineapple Mojito

The pineapple tart is used in multiple cocktails because it adds a new spin to the classics. Pineapple’s sweetness is balanced with lime’s tanginess to give a flavorful mojito. Mash some mint and pineapple in the glass, add white rum and soda water into the mix and gently mix them all together. Then add lime and sugar.

Add some crushed ice and garnish with lime and pineapple at the end. Enjoy this sweet, tangy, bubbly, and minty cocktail in the summer.

4.4. Watermelon Mojito

Watermelon is the fruit of the summer. When infused with the mojito, the juicy and sweet flavor of watermelon makes a beautiful summer drink. Squash the mint in the glass, add watermelon pieces and crush them. This will add outstanding watermelon flavours to the mix. Then, add some white rum, lime, and soda. In the end, garnish with watermelon and lime wedge. Enjoy this outstanding summer cocktail.

There are a hundred more versions of this refreshing cocktail. Many cocktails are more famous than the others but are still enjoyed at best in bars. It won’t be getting old or boring as we can always add a little spin and make it more lively. The discovery of this drink has led to a boost in the cocktails and other beverages business. Everyone enjoys sipping soothing cocktails while sitting on a beach or hanging out with friends. 

Last Updated on March 4, 2024 by Janhavi Ramesh Kowligi