Mojito: an easy yet refined recipe for the perfect cocktail

Mojito, an icon of the Cuban lifestyle, made its appearance in France in the early 2000s and has since become the country’s favourite cocktail. The reason for its tremendous popularity is simple: fresh, exotic flavours that take the senses on a journey to faraway lands. Check out our ultra-simple recipe that you can use over and over again for chic, laid-back cocktails*.

As with any recipe, the key to success is the quality of the ingredients used. Therefore, use fresh mint and limes, preferably organic. When it comes to sugar, steer clear of the common misconception and use granulated sugar instead, which is easier to dissolve than brown sugar, or choose a high-quality sugar syrup. Similarly, go for classic sparkling water and avoid using lemonade, since its overly sweet taste could unbalance the flavours.

Before you start knocking up your perfect mojito, it is vitally important to be aware of the different types of rum.

• White rum is a young rum that is obtained by fermenting and distilling sugarcane juice, which is then aged for less than a year.
• Golden rum is obtained by distilling sugarcane molasses, which is the product resulting from refining sugarcane into sugar. This rum is aged in barrels for at least 18 months.
• Dark rum is aged in oak barrels for no less than three years.

Although golden rum is generally used for cooking and cocktail-making, especially for creating flavoured rums, you are advised to use Cuban white rum for the perfect mojito.

Ingredients for one mojito:

• 60 ml Cuban white rum
• 30 ml lime juice
• 6 fresh mint leaves
• 2 tsp granulated sugar
• 300 ml sparkling water
• Crushed ice
• Some lime segments to decorate

Preparation:

• Start by placing the mint leaves at the bottom of the glass. Add the sugar and a small amount of sparkling water to dissolve the sugar.
• Gently crush with a very fine cocktail muddler to release the aromas of the mint.
• Add the lime juice and rum, followed by the crushed ice until the glass is three quarters full.
• Top with the sparkling water and decorate with a few lime segments and a mint leaf.

Serving:

To serve your guests, take a look at the Peugeot Impitoyables tasting set with its innovative chilling base, which will help keep your cocktails stylishly chilled throughout the tasting experience.

Mojitos are a showstopper in any self-respecting cocktail bar and have proved to be a constant source of inspiration for bartenders, who have since concocted a wide range of fruit-based versions packed full of flavour. Examples include the cucumber mojito with its characteristic fresh and subtle notes, and the royal mojito which uses champagne instead of sparkling water.

The biggest gourmet fans will be delighted to know that mojitos are also available in versions containing strawberries, raspberries, melon, mango, passionfruit and even coconut for an even more exotic touch.

The most adventurous cocktail fans will clearly be tempted to try more daring recipes, such as lavender & blueberry mojito, Lorraine-style mojito with plum brandy, Yuzu mojito with its distinctive zingy taste, and apple & jalapeño mojito for the most highly honed palettes.

* Excessive alcohol consumption is harmful to health. Drink in moderation.