Blackberry Mojitos

Made with fresh blackberries, mint, limes, and rum, these Blackberry Mojitos are easy to make and incredibly refreshing.

If I had to choose a favorite cocktail, it would be a Mojito. I love Pina Coladas and Bellinis, but Mojitos have my heart.

Mojitos are traditionally made from rum, mint, lime, sugar, and soda water. And they are downright refreshing! A touch of sugar brings out the freshness of the mint and lime juice, and the soda water adds a nice fizz to this classic cocktail.

While the classic mojitos are always great, the addition of fresh blackberries adds flavor and color to this Cuban cocktail and I am in love!

What You Need

• Lime Juice: Lime juice is essential in Mojitos. Be sure to use fresh limes and juice them yourselves. Jarred lime juice will not have the same fresh flavor.
• Mint: Use fresh peppermint or spearmint. Look for mint leaves that are vibrant green, not bruised. As they will have the most flavor.
• Simple Syrup: A little bit of simple syrup is needed to sweeten the Mojito. I have included directions on how to make homemade simple syrup, which is simply made by dissolving sugar into water.
• Seltzer Water: Use plain seltzer or sparkling water. It will add a nice fizz to your cocktail.
• Blackberries: You must use fresh blackberries, not frozen blackberries as they won't release as much flavor or juices into the cocktail.
• Rum: White or silver rum is traditional for Mojitos. I personally opt for a white rum, such as Bacardi. You don't want to use a spiced rum or flavored rum, as the flavor will overtake this simple Mojito.

How to Make a Blackberry Mojito

• In a tall glass, place blackberries, mint, simple syrup, rum, and lime juice into the glass.
• Use the bottom of a wooden spoon to mash the ingredients together--this is called muddling. I find the mint and blackberries break up easier AFTER a bit of liquid has been added.

• Add ice over the muddled ingredients.
• Slowly pour in seltzer water to fill the glass.
• Either gently mix to combine, or serve the Blackberry Mojito with an ombre effect (just add a stirrer to the mojito so people can mix as desired!)

How To Make Simple Syrup

Simple syrup is simply sugar dissolved into water. It is the ideal way to sweeten drinks, such as mojitos because it easily mixes into beverages without any grittiness.

To make simple syrup:

• Place equal parts sugar and water into a heavy-bottomed saucepan.
• Bring mixture to a boil and whisk until sugar is dissolved.
• Turn off the heat and allow the simple syrup to cool.
• Keep in a tightly sealed jar in the fridge for 7-10 days.

You can use granulated sugar, honey, maple syrup, and even stevia--just be warned simple syrup made with artificial sweeteners is much sweeter than simple syrups made with granulated sugar or honey. And simple syrup made with maple syrup definitely has a maple taste to it.

Sugar-Free Mojito

If you are looking to cut back on your sugars or carbs, I suggest omitting the simple syrup from your Mojito. I find that this Blackberry Mojito is delicious and refreshing completely sugar-free.

However, if you would rather use artificial sweeteners, such as Stevia, you can make a simple syrup using the same method as the traditional simple syrup. Just be warned that you should use less of the artificially sweetened simple syrup as it is SO much sweeter than ones made with sugar or honey and you will want to use a fraction of the stevia-sweetened simple syrup.

Virgin Mojito

Avoiding alcohol? Or maybe you want to let the kids enjoy a refreshing mocktail?

Simply omit the rum from the Blackberry Mojito and enjoy to your heart's content.

What Foods Pair well with Mojitos

Blackberry Mojitos pair beautifully with light, flavorful meals such as Pan-Seared Tilapia or Grilled Jerk Chicken Kabobs. They are also fabulous served alongside Watermelon Salsa and Chips for a nice appetizer.

I also love serving Blackberry Mojitos with any dish that features mint or lime, as the flavors in this cocktail are a natural pairing. Tabbouleh Salad, Honey Lime Chicken Fajitas, or Spring Rolls are all great options.

More Refreshing Beverages

• Pina Colada
• Fruit Flavored Water
• Watermelon Sangria
• Mint Lemonade

If you tried this recipe for a Blackberry Mojito, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below.