Refreshing Gin Mojito with Empress Gin

This delicious take on the classic mojito features gin (not rum) mixed with freshly-squeezed lime juice, fresh muddled mint, a bit of simple syrup, and a splash of soda water. It has a crisp, citrusy, minty, slightly fizzy taste. And it’s the perfect warm-weather cocktail!

 The Best Gin Mojito Recipe

The classic mojito cocktail comes from Cuba. It’s believed to be derived from a 16th-century medicinal tonic made with cane liquor, sugar, lime, and mint. The modern version (which includes ice and sparkling water) rose to popularity in Havana during Prohibition — with help from advertising by the Barcadi rum company. 

And this gin-based version, which dates back to the 1930s, is a super tasty variation — especially if you’re a gin lover like me! It’s boozy, slightly tangy, minty fresh, and not too sweet. Like summertime in a glass! 

Easy Gin, Mint & Lime Cocktail Ingredients:

Plus, this bright, refreshing Empress gin mojito recipe is easy to make with just five ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need.

• GIN: I used Empress 1908 Gin for this gin mojito recipe. The gin’s subtle floral, earthy notes pair perfectly with the mint and citrus flavors. Plus, the color is pretty gorgeous!
• FRESH SQUEEZED LIME JUICE: The tanginess of the lime juice helps balance the cocktail.
• MINT: Use fresh mint that’s not wilting or discolored to get the best taste.
• SIMPLE SYRUP: Simple syrup adds a touch of sweetness. And it is also super easy to make! I’ve added the directions below. 
• SPARKLING WATER: A splash of sparkling water gives this drink its signature bubbles. Use your favorite brand.
• GARNISH: Add some mint, limes or any garnish of your choice. I used some edible pea blossoms in this recipe.

How to Make a Gin Mojito Cocktail

This cocktail is easy to make! Here’s what you do.

• MUDDLE THE MINT: Add mint leaves to a shaker and lightly muddle the leaves with a cocktail muddler. Go easy — you just want to release the essential oils from the mint, not pulverize it.
• ADD GIN, LIME JUICE, AND SYRUP & SHAKE: Next, fill the shaker with a handful of ice and add the gin, lime juice, and simple syrup. Shake until ingredients are combined and chilled.
• POUR: Then add ice to a collins or high ball glass. Then strain the shaken drink ingredients into the glass. Top with sparkling water. 
• ADJUST & SERVE: Adjust the gin mojito cocktail to your tastes by tweaking as desired. You can add more juice to make tarter, more syrup to make it sweeter, more sparkling water to make it weaker, and make or gin to make it stronger. Garnish as desired and enjoy! 

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A Few More Recipe Tips:

• OTHER NAMES FOR A GIN MOJITO: A gin mojito is similar to other popular gin drinks, including a southside fizz and a gin rickey (with mint). It’s also sometimes called a London mojito.
• HOW TO MAKE SIMPLE SYRUP: To make simple syrup, heat equal parts sugar and water (1 cup water and 1 cup sugar) in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar is slowly dissolved (don’t boil). Remove from the heat and let the mixture cool before using. You can store simple syrup in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks.
• USE EDIBLE FLOWERS: Flowers make a gorgeous garnish for cocktails. Just make sure yours are EDIBLE before using them. For this recipe, I used pea flowers from San Diego-based Sweet Gourmet Botanicals.
• WHY DOES EMPRESS 1908 GIN CHANGES COLOR?: Empress 1908 Gin‘s signature indigo blue color comes from the butterfly pea blossom used in its distilling process. But the color can change if you alter the pH of the drink by adding citrus (like the lime juice in this gin mojito recipe) or tonic.

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Refreshing Gin Mojito

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5 from 1 review

• Author: Laura | Growing Up Cali
• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
• Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

This delicious take on the classic mojito features gin (not rum)! It has a crisp, citrusy, minty, slightly fizzy taste. And it’s the perfect warm-weather cocktail!

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 6–8 fresh mint leaves plus more for garnish
• 2 ounces gin (I used Empress 1908 Gin)
• 1 ounce fresh-squeezed lime juice (approx. one lime)
• 1/2 ounce simple syrup
• 2 ounces sparkling water
• Ice
• Garnish of your choice

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Instructions

1. MUDDLE THE MINT: Add mint leaves to a shaker and lightly muddle the leaves with a cocktail muddler. Go easy — you just want to release the essential oils from the mint, not pulverize it.
2. ADD GIN, LIME JUICE, AND SYRUP & SHAKE: Fill the shaker with a handful of ice and add the gin, lime juice, and simple syrup. Shake until ingredients are combined and chilled.
3. POUR: Add ice to a collins or high ball glass. Then strain the shaken drink ingredients into the glass. Top with sparkling water.
4. ADJUST & SERVE: Adjust the cocktail to your tastes by tweaking as desired. You can add more juice to make tarter, more syrup to make it sweeter, more sparkling water to make it weaker, and make or gin to make it stronger. Garnish as desired and enjoy!

Notes

• HOW TO MAKE SIMPLE SYRUP: To make simple syrup, heat equal parts sugar and water (1 cup water and 1 cup sugar) in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar is slowly dissolved (don’t boil). Remove from the heat and let the mixture cool before using. You can store simple syrup in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks.
• USE EDIBLE FLOWERS: Flowers make a gorgeous garnish for cocktails. Just make sure yours are EDIBLE before using them. For this recipe, I used pea flowers from San Diego-based Sweet Gourmet Botanicals.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Cocktails
• Method: Shaken

This post is sponsored by Empress 1908 Gin. All the text and opinions are my own.