The mojito is a classic Cuban highball drink that combines rum, lime, sugar, mint and soda water. It’s refreshing and easy-drinking – the perfect cocktail for hot summer days. But what drink makes the best pair for a mojito? There are many options, from wine to beer to other cocktails. In this article, we’ll explore some of the top choices for mojito pairings, looking at the flavors and characteristics that make them good matches. We’ll also provide tips on how to serve mojito pairings for maximum enjoyment. Read on to learn about the best drinks to enjoy alongside a refreshing mojito!
Non-Alcoholic Pairings
If you want to enjoy a mojito without adding more alcohol into the mix, there are several delicious non-alcoholic beverages that pair well:
Soda Water or Sparkling Water
One of the ingredients that makes a mojito so refreshing is the soda water. Adding extra carbonation by pairing it with soda water or sparkling water accentuates the crisp bubbly quality of the mojito. The two drinks nicely complement each other. For an extra flavor twist, try a flavored soda water like lemon, lime or grapefruit.
Coconut Water
The subtly sweet taste of coconut water balances out the mojito’s tart lime and mint flavors. Coconut water also has a clean, crisp finish that echoes the mojito’s refreshing fizz. For added flavor, look for fresh young coconut water which tends to be sweeter and more nuanced than store-bought varieties.
Iced Tea
The crispness of iced tea makes it a revitalizing non-alcoholic pair for the classic mojito. For best results, opt for an unsweetened tea like classic black tea, green tea or hibiscus tea. The tea should provide a delicate counterpoint to the mojito’s bolder mint and lime flavors.
Coffee
It may sound odd, but coffee can actually pair nicely with a mojito due to its bitterness balancing the mojito’s sweetness. For best results, brew some cold brew coffee concentrate. Combine the coffee concentrate with water or milk of your choice over ice. The lower acidity of cold brew coffee works better with the mojito than hot coffee.
Beer Pairings
The crisp, thirst-quenching qualities of many beers make them a popular pairing choice for the classic mojito. Here are some beer styles that make an excellent match:
Mexican Lager
Mexican lagers like Corona Extra, Modelo or Pacífico marry extremely well with mojitos. These easy-drinking lagers have a light, clean taste that accentuates the mojito’s bright citrus flavors. The touch of malt and mild hops balance nicely. Serve the beers with a lime wedge for an extra mojito-esque flair.
Pilsner
The crisp, palate-cleansing taste of a good pilsner beer is a fantastic mojito pairing. Choose a classic German pilsner or a drier Czech pilsner. The subtle malt backbone stands up to the mojito’s bolder flavors while the hops cut through the sweetness. Czech pilsners like Pilsner Urquell work especially well.
Wheat Beer
Refreshing hefeweizen or Belgian witbier wheat beers pair wonderfully with mojitos. The soft, creamy mouthfeel and hints of citrus and spice in the wheat beer complement the lime and mint flavors. German-style hefeweizens or Belgian witbiers like Hoegaarden or Blue Moon are ideal choices. Garnish with an orange slice for an extra citrusy twist.
Gose
For those who enjoy something a little more adventurous, try pairing your mojito with a gose beer. This salty-sour German wheat beer has a lip-smacking tartness that echoes the mojito’s lime. The gose provides a pleasantly puckery counterpoint to the mojito’s sweetness. Keep an eye out for gose beers from breweries like Westbrook, Anderson Valley and Victory.
Wine Pairings
The right wine can blend perfectly with a mojito’s crisp and refreshing nature. Consider these wine varieties that make excellent mojito pairings:
Dry Sparkling Wine
A crisp, dry sparkling wine is one of the best wine partners for a mojito. The effervescence and acidity of Champagne, Prosecco, Cava or Crémant echo the mojito’s fizziness, while cutting through its sweetness. Brut sparkling wines work better than very dry styles. Serve the sparkling wine chilled in a flute to preserve the bubbles.
Dry Riesling
With its zippy acidity, hints of citrus and light sweetness, dry Riesling makes a near-perfect mojito pairing. A young German Kabinett Riesling or dry Austrian Riesling has the right balance of sweet and tart flavors to complement the mojito. The Riesling’s delicate fruity notes blend nicely with the mojito’s lime and mint.
Unoaked Sauvignon Blanc
A crisp, vibrant Sauvignon Blanc also pairs beautifully with the classic mojito. Look for a unoaked style which allows the grape’s zesty lime and green apple character to shine. The Sauvignon Blanc’s racy acidity cuts through the mojito’s sweetness. Choose a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc for optimal fruit intensity.
Dry Rosé
For a fun and festive pairing, try an off-dry rosé wine with your mojito. The touch of sweetness helps unite the flavors, while the rosé’s bright acidity keeps everything refreshing. Crisp, citrusy rosés from Provence or California work well. The rosé’s hints of red fruit flavors add nuance to the mojito’s mint and lime notes.
Cocktail Pairings
Why stop at just one amazing cocktail? Extend your cocktail hour by pairing your mojito with a compatible mixed drink. Consider these cocktail pairings:
Paloma
A Paloma cocktail, made with grapefruit juice, lime, tequila and soda water, makes a fantastic partner for the mojito. The grapefruit and lime have a natural citrusy kinship, while the soda water and tequila echo the mojito’s refreshing fizziness. Try alternating sips between the Paloma and the mojito – the flavors combine beautifully.
White or Sparkling Sangria
A white or sparkling sangria, made with a dry white wine or sparkling wine base, pairs deliciously with the mojito. The sangria’s fruitiness – often citrus flavors like orange or lemon – complements the mojito’s lime. The dash of frothy bubbles gives both drinks a lively, refreshing character.
Tom Collins
This classic gin cocktail combines lemon juice, simple syrup and soda water, which makes it a perfect lighter-spirit pairing for the rum mojito. The tart lemon in the Collins harmonizes with the mojito’s lime, while the effervescence links the drinks. Garnish each cocktail with a lemon and lime wedge.
Sea Breeze
For an oceanside feel, pair a mojito with a Sea Breeze cocktail. The Sea Breeze mixes grapefruit juice, cranberry juice and vodka and aligns nicely with the mojito’s citrus flavors. The sweet-tart balance in both cocktails makes them ideally complementary. Garnish each drink with a lime wedge.
Factors for Pairing Drinks with a Mojito
When considering drink pairings for the mojito, keep these flavor components in mind:
Citrus Flavors
The mojito’s lime is central to its flavor, so citrusy partners pair best. Drinks with lemon, grapefruit or orange notes (or additional lime) create harmony. Acidity is key.
Mint Component
The fresh mint is what makes a mojito so aromatic and cooling. Pairings should complement (or at least not clash with) the mint element. Herbaceous drinks tend to work well.
Sweet-Tart Balance
A key to the mojito’s appeal is the balance of sweet and sour. Pairings should also have a touch of sweetness – whether fruit-based or from sugar/syrup – to align with the mojito.
Bubbly Carbonation
The mojito’s refreshing fizz comes from soda water. Drinks with light effervescence make great partners, as the bubbles accentuate the drinks’ crispness.
Lower Alcohol Content
While a mojito is relatively strong, its refreshing nature calls for pairings that aren’t too high in alcohol. Lower ABV choices allow both drinks to be enjoyed over time.
Serving Tips for Mojito Pairings
Here are some tips for serving mojito-based drink pairings:
– Chill both drinks well before serving for maximum refreshment. Frosty glasses are ideal.
– Consider garnishes that bridge the flavors, like lime wheels or mint sprigs.
– Offering drinks in smaller portions allows guests to sample multiple pairings.
– Use a tray or flight board to display sampler sizes of different mojito pairings.
– For wines, have guests transfer small pours from bottles to wine glasses.
– Alternate sips of the mojito and its pairing to experience how flavors intermingle.
– Take advantage of summer by serving mojito pairings outdoors during patio parties or beach picnics.
– Use pretty pitchers to pre-mix large batches of cocktails like sangria for easy pouring.
Most Refreshing Mojito Pairings
While personal taste plays a role, some drinks are universally crowd-pleasing as partners to the classic mojito:
| Beverage | Key Flavors | Refreshment Factor |
|---|---|---|
| Sparkling wine | Crisp, bubbly, tart | 5/5 |
| Dry Sauvignon Blanc | Zesty lime, clean | 5/5 |
| Mexican lager | Subtly malty, hint of lime | 4.5/5 |
| Tom Collins | Lemony, sweet-tart, fizzy | 4.5/5 |
| Coffee | Cooling, rich yet clean | 4/5 |
As shown, crisp and bubbly drinks like sparkling wines and lighter cocktails tend to provide the most complementary refreshment factor when paired with a mojito. But don’t be afraid to experiment with different beverages to find your perfect mojito pairing.
Putting it All Together
When hosting a summer fiesta or just unwinding after work, serving mojito pairings can double the refreshment and flavor fun. For alcohol-free options, soda water, iced tea and coconut water make zesty matches. Beers like Mexican lager, pilsner or wheat beers add a pleasing malty contrast. Dry sparkling wines, Riesling and unoaked Sauvignon Blanc marry beautifully, as do cocktails like the Paloma and Tom Collins. Plus, sangria provides bonus fruitiness.
Remember to chill both drinks well and consider garnishes that bridge the flavors. Offer smaller portions for sampling multiple pairings, and serve in outdoor spaces whenever possible. Finding the perfect partner for your mojito takes your cocktail experience to new levels of enjoyment!