Cherry mojitos are a refreshing summertime cocktail that's easy to make at home! The beautiful pink color and fizzy bubbles are calling your name.
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Summertime is all about those pretty, refreshing drinks.
Mojitos are one of my favorite summer cocktails because they're a little minty, a little bubbly, and a lot tasty. They're easy to customize with your favorite fruit/sweetener/juice, and today we're making a cherry version!
Cherry mojitos
Cherry mojitos are made with six simple ingredients. This is a summer drink for me because that's when I can get fresh cherries at the grocery store. You could use frozen, thawed cherries instead (I recommend looking for Door County cherries!), but in my opinion fresh is best.
Mojitos are typically made with mint, lime, and rum. They also have some sweetener and fizzy water. We're doing all that, plus our fresh cherries to make this tasty twist on a classic.
Ingredients
- Cherries
- Honey
- Lime juice
- Mint leaves
- White rum
- Club soda
How to make cherry mojitos
- In a cocktail shaker (affiliate link), layer cherries, honey, mint, and lime juice. Muddle until the cherries have released most of their juice.
- Add rum and ice, cover, and shake firmly for several seconds.
- Strain the juices into a pint glass, add 4-5 ice cubes, and fill to the top with club soda.
- Garnish with additional mint and cherries if desired.
Top tips
Don't forget to pit your cherries
Cherries have a hard pit in the center, that would get in the way when muddling and be a nuisance in your drink. I use a cherry pitter to easily remove the pit from my cherries, but if you don't have one simply cut around the cherry, pull the two halves apart, and remove the pit.
How to muddle for cocktails
We're muddling right in the shaker, but you could muddle in a sturdy glass or bowl if you prefer. Place cherries, sweetener, mint, and lime in the shaker and use the broad end of the muddler to mash them down.
You're trying to break down the cherries and mint leaves so they release their juices/oils, leaving behind lots of flavor. If you prefer, you could muddle the entire half lime instead of just including the juice, but I like having the space to focus on the cherries.
You only need to press down with the muddler a handful of times, otherwise you risk the mint becoming bitter. Focus on the cherries primarily, so you can get as much juice as possible.
How to store cherry mojitos
Cherry mojitos are best enjoyed soon after mixing, but can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. If possible, don't add the soda water until you're ready to serve.
Tips for customizing cherry mojitos
- Swap the honey for plain simple syrup, honey simple syrup, or mint simple syrup
- Instead of cherries, try blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries
- Use lemon lime soda in place of the club soda
- Skip the rum for a cherry mojito mocktail
FAQ
Mojitos are a traditional Cuban cocktail usually made from white rum, sugar, lime juice, mint, and bubbly water. They're simple, refreshing, and fun.
I like Bacardi superior white rum for mojitos because it tastes great and is relatively affordable. In fact, Bacardi mojitos are probably what you're getting at your favorite bar. However, any white or silver rum will work in this recipe.
Yes, you can still make a mojito if you don't have a cocktail shaker. If you're experienced, you could put two large glasses together to make a shaker, but I don't recommend you try this if you don't know what you're doing.
Simply strain the muddled fruit into a glass with ice and stir, or stir with ice and then strain into a new glass if you're making it without a cocktail shaker.
Yes, you can make mojitos without a muddler. Consider using the handle end of an ice cream scoop or wooden spoon as a muddler.
More cocktail recipes
- Buttery Nipple Shot
- Sparkling Greyhound Cocktail
- Lemon Drop Shot
- Gold Rush Cocktail
- Strawberry Lemonade Vodka
- Blackberry Gin Smash
- Gin and Tonic
- Mojito Pitcher
- Margarita Pitcher
- Pineapple Margarita
- Apple Cider Cocktail
- Vegas Bomb
- Christmas Gin Cocktail
If you make this recipe, be sure to rate it, leave a comment, or tag #theliveinkitchen on Instagram!
Recipe
Cherry Mojitos
Ingredients
- 6-8 fresh cherries, pitted
- 1 tablespoon honey, (preferably raw)
- 8-10 fresh mint leaves
- Juice of half a small lime
- 2 ounces white rum
- Club soda
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, layer cherries, honey, mint, and lime juice. Muddle until the cherries have released most of their juice.
- Add rum and ice, cover, and shake firmly for several seconds.
- Strain the juices into a pint glass, add 4-5 ice cubes, and fill to the top with club soda.
- Garnish with additional mint and cherries if desired.
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
Mojitos are my FAVORITE drink...but I have never had a cherry version. Clearly, that's gotta change! Pinned!
Beth @ The First Year says
I think I am going to have to buy some cherries just so I can make this mojito! Looks amazing Lindsay!
Kim (Feed Me, Seymour) says
We've also been on a major mojito kick this summer! It's the only drink my husband really enjoys. I'll definitely have to make him this version!
TidyMom says
you had me at cherry! these are perfect!
Sandi Gaertner (@sandigtweets) says
I love mojitos! Adding fresh cherries is a great idea.