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Virgin Mojito Recipe
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Is it even possible to sip a bubbly drink with a tajin rim and not smile? Our virgin mojito has no refined sugar, no alcohol, and lots of flavor! Everything about this recipe screams warm weather, giving major fun-in-the-sun vibes.
It’s no coincidence that this comes just in time for spring break season! We are so inspired by warmer weather. Refreshing flavors, effervescent drinks, and clean ingredients? Yes, please!
If you’re still hanging on to your sober January commitments this deep into the year or just trying to cut back, we highly recommend getting a cool and crisp beverage into your rotation.
Our virgin mojito recipe is a really simple and refreshing beverage that can be made with ingredients you may already have lying around.
How to Make a Virgin Mojito
There are two very important steps you can’t skip: a tasty rim and muddling your ingredients.
Beyond this, the steps are really very simple.
We start by preparing our spicy rim. Cut a lime into wedges and pour a little chile lime salt (we used our tried and true Tajin) onto a plate or bowl that is wider than the glasses you will be using.
We muddle (lightly crush) our fresh mint leaves, fresh lime juice, and sweetener (we opted for honey). This helps release the flavors or the mint leaves, so you get a super minty drink without needing to use the blender. If you have a professional muddler or wooden pestle, great! But for the rest of us who lack full bartending equipment, the back of a large wooden spoon or the end of a rolling pin will get the job done just fine.
Once everything is muddled, add your favorite no-sugar-added lime-flavored sparkling water (like La Croix) and stir it up.
The last step is to assemble. This is definitely the most fun part, aside from taking the first sip. Line the rim of the glass with tangy lime and chile-lime salt, add ice to your glass, and pour the mixture in! If you’re feeling really fancy, you can garnish with fresh mint sprigs, lime slices, lime zest, or an umbrella.
Virgin Mojito Ingredients
Lime
Can’t make a mojito without them! Limes are so delicious, flavorful, and refreshing. If you can’t find fresh limes near you, you can buy bottled lime juice. Be sure that it is 100% lime juice and no other added ingredients or sugar.
Mint
This should be fresh mint leaves. Using dried mint simply won’t work in this recipe.
Liquid sweetener
We used honey. Agave and maple could also work although the maple flavor may throw off the overall taste. We recommend trying honey or agave first. We like these natural sweeteners better than simple syrup or sugar syrup.
Sparkling water
Again, opt for a no-sugar-added option. We know there are teams that form around certain brands, so go with your favorite. You just need something with a hint of lime and extra bubbly. If you can’t find lime, a no-flavor option (like club soda or sparkling mineral water) could work but won’t be as flavorful.
Chile lime salt
This really makes that first sip extraordinary. It’s salty, fresh, and a little spicy. Just perfect for a warm day outside.
Virgin Mojito
Our virgin mojito has no refined sugar, no alcohol, and lots of flavor!
Ingredients
- 3-4 spigs of mint, washed and pat dry
- 2 limes (Juice 1 ½ limes for the drink and reserve the last half for rimming the glass)
- 1 tbsp of honey (or liquid sweetener of choice)
- 1 can of carbonated water (lime is preferred, but plain will work, too)
- 2 tbsp of chile lime salt like Tajin
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Gently wash and pat dry mint leaves.
- Pick the leaves off of the stem and add to a spouted bowl or pitcher for easy pouring.
- Add sweetener and lime juice and muddle for 30-60 seconds.
- Pour in carbonated soda and stir well.
- Prepare a dish or wide bowl with chile-lime salt and cut a lime into a wedge.
- Run the lime along the rim of each glass and then dip the glass rim into the chile lime salt until coated. Add ice cubes to the glasses.
- Pour the mojito mixture into each glass and enjoy!
Notes
Bonus tip: Make a big pitcher of the mixture and let guests rim and pour their own drinks at your next party! It’s a little interactive and cuts out the work of rimming each individual glass for you.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 38kcalCarbohydrates: 10gSugar: 9g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Virgin Mojito FAQs
What is a non-alcoholic substitute for rum in a mojito?
A traditional mojito uses white rum. Since we’re going alcohol-free and simple here, we only use carbonated flavored soda (lime sparkling water) as the liquid in the recipe. Many people also use club soda in a mocktail recipe like this.
If you want to take this up a notch, you could add ice cubes and blend it for a frozen mojito, which would be perfect for the warmer months—especially if you garnish with lime wedges and a mint sprig!
Many brands now make zero-alcohol rum that mimics the taste of the real thing, like Ritual Zero Proof Non-Alcoholic Rum.
Why should you drink mocktails?
Mocktails are trending now, and for good reason! According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, alcohol consumption is associated with a greater risk of developing certain cancers such as esophageal, liver, and colon. Other medical issues like heart disease, stomach bleeding, and depression were cited as having an associated risk. Alcohol consumption in moderation can fit into many different lifestyles, but if you choose to abstain or want to switch it up with a non-alcoholic beverage, this is for you. Plus, it only contains 38 calories per serving, compared to up to 300 in a regular mojito!
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