Have you noticed the soaring popularity of non-alcoholic beverages lately? It seems that every major brewing company makes a buzz-free beer. You can find at least one mocktail (mock cocktail) on any restaurant menu these days. Taking a break from alcohol or a complete lifestyle change can leave some with the desire for something more celebratory or satisfying than water or soda. As a pregnant lady in my third trimester, I have had cravings for such tempting beverages. Mojito mocktails are just the thing to quench my thirst.

Mojitos were invented in Cuba during a time when rum production was at its peak in the Caribbean. Rum was a clever way to use the byproduct of sugarcane production, molasses. Best of all, rum traveled well on ships and kept sailors and pirates content along their journeys. Lime was added not only for flavor but for preventing scurvy and dysentery for seafaring folk.

A traditional Cuban mojito contains white rum, sugar, lime, mint and soda water. There are many variations of this popular cocktail, including changing out white sugar for powdered sugar for a quicker mix or Demerara sugar for a deeper caramel flavor. Various styles of rum can be used or not at all like in this recipe, sometimes referred to as a “no-jito” or a “faux-jito.” Swap out the rum for tequila, and you have a Mojito Blanco. Mojitos, whether spiked or virgin, are just fun to make! No simple syrup to prepare. Not even a shaker is used. This recipe can be made in a tall glass with a muddler and a long spoon. While some use a simple syrup, I love any excuse for a sugar cube. The grain in the sugar actually helps break down the oils in the mint.

Simply take a tall glass, drop in the sugar cubes, sprigs of mint, a squeeze of lime and, using a muddler, release the mint flavor and dissolve the sugar. Next, top off the drink with crushed ice and cold soda water. Stir with a long spoon to mix the dissolved sugar throughout the drink. Finish with a garnish of lime. Of course, if you’re so inclined, you can absolutely add rum here, but, take my word, this drink is so special that you won’t miss it. My 5-year old likes to help make these perhaps because there is a lot of smashing and sugar involved. As someone who has been testing various non-alcoholic beers of the market, I can share that my favorites include: Clausthaler, Corona with lime, and Blue Moon, in that order. I hope you’ll share this mocktail with someone you love who deserves a refreshing treat.

Mojito Mocktail (No-jito or Faux-jito) Serves 1

Ingredients:

The juice of 1 lime (freshly squeezed), plus more for garnish

4 sprigs of mint

2 sugar cubes, 2 teaspoons white cane sugar (or 1.5 ounces of simple syrup)

Soda water

Crushed ice

Instructions:

1. In a tall glass, add 2 sugar cubes or 2 teaspoons white cane sugar or 1.5 ounces simple syrup.
2. Roll the lime on the countertop before cutting in half to release more juice. Squeeze lime into the glass.
3. Add the mint to the glass and muddle everything together well until the sugar dissolves and the mint releases flavor but is not completely shredded. A wooden muddler works great, but if you don’t have one, a spoon or fork will work, too.
4. Stir in a splash of soda water to help dissolve the sugar. Stir with a long spoon. 
5. Top with crushed ice and even more soda water filled to the top.
6. Garnish with a wheel or wedge of lime.