How to Make Mojitos by the Pitcher

Lime adds zest to your mojitos.

Mojitos are a refreshing summer cocktail made with lime, mint and rum. You can make pitchers of mojitos for a party or crowd ahead of time so your delicious mojitos are ready to serve when your guests arrive. Make mojitos without rum for a refreshing mint limeade drink for kids or non-drinkers. Make the lime-mint syrup a few hours before you make mojitos to ensure it is completely chilled.

Things You'll Need

• 2 cups sugar
• 2 cups water
• 2 limes
• 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
• 1 cup fresh mint leaves
• 6 limes
• 2 cups crushed ice
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 cups water
• 2 cups white rum
• 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
• Club soda
• Zester
• Wooden spoon
• Strainer
• Muddler
• Pitcher

Instructions

1. Zest two limes using a lemon zester. Bring the sugar and water to a boil in a medium saucepan and cook until the sugar is completely dissolved, about 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in the lime zest and mint. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to infuse the syrup with the flavor of lime and mint. Strain out the mint and zest and refrigerate the syrup, covered, until cold.

2. Muddle or mash 1/2 cup mint leaves and 2 limes cut into wedges with a wooden spoon or muddler. Add 2 cups crushed ice in the bottom of a large pitcher.

3. Add 1 cup chilled lime-mint simple syrup made in Step 1, 2 cups rum, 1/2 cup lime juice and more ice.

4. Top off with club soda, to taste. Pour into glasses over ice. Garnish each glass with a lime wedge and mint sprigs and serve.

Tips & Warnings

• This recipe makes enough lime-mint simple syrup for two pitchers.

• You can multiply the simple syrup recipe and store it in the fridge so that it is ready any time you want to make a batch of mojitos.

• A muddler is a tool used by bartenders to mash ingredients. You can find muddlers at kitchen supply stores. If you do not have a muddler, use a pestle or masher instead.

• Remember, the legal drinking age is 21.

References

• Epicurious: Mojito
• All Recipes: The Real Mojito Recipe