This easy twist on the classic mojito recipe with dark brown sugar syrup, pineapple, and ginger needs to be on your summer agenda.
Classics are classics for a reason. They work in a variety of situations and stand the test of time. The mojito cocktail has been around for over 500 years and is exactly that. It's bubbly, refreshing, and potent while still feeling light. My first cocktail in life was actually a mojito. It was very well made so it stuck with me, but I've had my share of mediocre ones since then. Today, we're keeping it real cute with a delicious, perfectly done mojito recipe with a twist! I'm bringing my brown sugar pineapple simple syrup out to play for a tropical version that gives caramelized pineapple and ginger vibes without having to caramelize any pineapple or ginger. Let's get into it!
If you like this brown sugar mojito, try these cocktails next.
How are Mojitos Traditionally Made?
First off, an authentic mojito recipe calls for sugarcane--not any kind of simple syrup at all! I actually had a mojito made with sugarcane (ok, maybe a few) when I visited Tulum last year. Anyway, I figure since we're deviating from the truest version with simple syrup, why not take an altogether fresh twist on the mojito with brown sugar simple syrup, right? Right!
Aside from that, traditional mojitos call for yerba buena or spearmint, fresh lime, club soda, white rum (Bacardi Superior is the go-to here in the US as it's a Cuban rum), and ice to keep everything cold. The mint is muddled with the sugar to express the oils and meld the flavors. Add that to lime juice and rum, pour over ice, then top up the glass with club soda. In Cuba, sparkling water is often used. This is the ultimate refreshing rum cocktail for summer.
Ingredients You'll Need to Make this Cocktail
- Club Soda
- Fresh Lime Juice
- Fresh Mint Leaves
- Ice
- Pineapple & Ginger Infused Brown Sugar Syrup
- Quality White Rum
What Bar Tools Do You Need to Make a Mojito?
Making the classic version of this bubbly rum cocktail requires a few tools and my pineapple ginger mojito recipe is no different. To see the tools in action, check out my mojito recipe video in the recipe card below. Here is what you'll need.
- Muddler (or the end of a wooden spoon)
- Jigger (or a shot glass)
- Bar Spoon (or traditional table spoon)
- Cocktail Shaker (or a glass and strainer)
This bar tool set has all the cocktail tools you'll need to make this mojito and just about any cocktail recipe on the site!
How to Serve a Mojito
Mojitos are typically served in highball glasses, with ice, and garnished with fresh mint sprigs. For this brown sugar, ginger & pineapple flavored mojito, I like to amp up the presentation with a couple of sprigs of mint, a lime wheel, and a chunk of fresh pineapple. The highball glass is still a must and you can even add a sustainable straw for easy sipping.
Tips for this Recipe
- What kind of rum to use in a mojito? Here in the United States, Bacardi Superior white rum is most commonly used for making mojitos. It is accessible, good quality, and Cuban in origin.
- Where did mojitos originate? Mojitos are Cuban cocktails. It was originally created in the 1500s and though the complete story is a bit murky, the location is clear. Fun fact: mojitos used to be an accepted treatment for scurvy and dysentery!
- Can I make the brown sugar syrup ahead of time? Yes! In fact, I highly recommend it so that you don't have to wait for it to cool. I store mine in glass bottles and keep in the fridge for easy happy hours at home.
- Can I make this drink non-alcoholic? Absolutely, to make a virgin mojito, simply omit the rum. You will need to use extra club soda to fill the glass.
Summer is still summering, which means you should be sipping cold cocktail like this one (safely and responsibly)! And sharing is caring, so make sure you pin this pineapple flavored mojito recipe with brown sugar over on Pinterest. Thanks for reading!
How to Make a Pineapple Ginger Mojito with Brown Sugar Syrup
Brown Sugar Pineapple Mojito
Ingredients
- 3 mint leaves
- 2 ounces brown sugar pineapple syrup
- ¾ ounce lime juice
- 2 ounces rum
- ice
- 3 ounces club soda chilled
Instructions
- Add mint leaves to a cocktail shaker, followed by brown sugar pineapple simple syrup. Press with a muddler to express oils from the mint leaves.
- Add rum and lime juice to to the shaker, cover, and shake lightly for about 30 seconds.
- Strain into a highball glass over ice. Top up with club soda.
- Garnish with more mint, wheel of lime, and piece of fresh pineapple, if desired. Enjoy responsibly!
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