Gin Mojito (London Mojito)

This Gin Mojito recipe is the perfect refreshing cocktail for warm weather, especially in the spring or summer. It’s a twist on the classic rum mojito made with fresh mint leaves and lime juice, but it uses gin instead of rum. With just a few simple ingredients, it’s bound to be your new favorite cocktail. 

If you’re a fan of mojitos, you should try my Blue Curacao Mojito or Mojito Royale with Champagne. I have so many other delicious cocktails that you can choose from as well. Or if you’re a fan of dark rum, you can check out my Blackberry Dark Rum Mojito.

Or, if you’ve got a gin lover in your life, you should check out the best gin cocktail-themed gifts – there’s something for everyone (even if you’re the gin lover looking for yourself!) 

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Simple and refreshing – it’s perfect for a hot summer day or a relaxing evening at home.

• Easily to batch – it’s great for entertaining a crowd without having to make individual drinks.

• An unexpected and delicious twist on a classic – the addition of gin to a mojito adds a new level of complexity and sophistication to the classic cocktail. 

What is a Gin Mojito?

A Gin Mojito, also known as a London Mojito, is a refreshing gin spin on the classic Cuban cocktail. The botanical notes of gin complement the mint and lime flavors very well. 

A regular Mojito is a classic Cuban cocktail that dates back to the 16th century and was thought to have medicinal qualities. The recipe has evolved over the years, and the current classic recipe includes white rum, lime juice, sugar, mint leaves, and club soda.

Other gin cocktails that are similar include a Gin Rickey, which is made with gin, lime juice, and club soda. The Southside cocktail is another variation of the Mojito that is made with gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and fresh mint leaves. It was a popular drink in prohibition-era Chicago and is said to have been a favorite of Al Capone.

Ingredient Notes

• Gin: A dry gin works well for this cocktail. If you want to try something different, you can use a gin with an unique taste and botanical profile. I used Teasmith gin, which has notes of Ceylon tea in addition to classic gin botanical flavors and herbaceous notes. 

• Fresh mint leaves: Fresh mint is very important for this cocktail. You can also try using basil for your mojito instead of mint.

• Simple syrup: You can buy simple syrup at most liquor stores, or you can make your own by combining equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan and heating until the sugar dissolves. Allow it to cool before using it in cocktails.

• Lime juice: Fresh lime juice is also important for this cocktail. You can juice your own limes. If you must use bottled lime juice, look for ones that are 100% juice and not from concentrate. 

• Soda water: Club soda or seltzer are both good options for this cocktail. Tonic water will also work and would go well with the gin, but you may want to decrease the amount of simple syrup used as tonic water is sweetened. 

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Add the mint leaves and simple syrup to a cocktail glass, such as a highball glass. Muddle the mint gently with a cocktail muddler or the handle of a wooden spoon in the bottom of the glass. 

Step 2: Add ice, gin, and lime juice to the glass.

Step 3: Top with a splash of soda water. Stir gently, moving the spoon up and down to evenly distribute the flavors. 

Step 4: Garnish with a fresh mint sprig and lime wheel.  

Expert Tips and Variations

• Adjust the sweetness or sourness of your gin mojito cocktail by adding more simple syrup or lime juice, respectively. Taste as you go to find your perfect balance.

• For a fun twist, try using Empress 1908 Gin in your gin mojito. It is made by infusing butterfly pea blossoms in the gin, which gives the liquor a brilliant shade of indigo that changes color when mixed with acidic ingredients such as lime juice.

• To make a frozen gin mojito slushie, blend all ingredients with ice until smooth. Adjust the amount of ice to achieve your desired consistency.

FAQ

Can you make a batch of gin mojitos?

Yes, you can make a batch of gin mojitos. Simply multiply the ingredients by the number of servings you want to make. I’ve included measurements to serve 8 in the recipe notes. 

Can you make a batch in advance?

Yes, you can make a batch in advance. Mix all the ingredients except for the soda water in a large pitcher. Remove the mint leaves before storing the drink in an airtight container in the fridge. If you don’t remove the mint while you store the cocktail, the mint could turn bitter. You can add the mint back to the pitcher and top with soda water just before serving. You can make the batch up to 1 day in advance.

What is muddling?

Muddling involves gently crushing ingredients, typically mint leaves and sugar (or syrup), to release their flavors and aromas. It is usually done using a muddler, but you can also use a handle of a wooden spoon. Muddling enhances the taste of a mojito by infusing the essential oils from the mint leaves resulting in a refreshing minty flavor.