Beverages

Serving

Virgin Mojito

Name: Virgin Mojito
Total time: 8 min
Yield: 1 servings
Cuisine: Beverages
Ingredients: 10 fresh mint leaves; 1 lime, cut into wedges; 2 teaspoons sugar; 1 cup club soda; ice cubes

A family-friendly mocktail with muddled mint and lime topped with fizzy club soda.

8 minutes

Serves 1

Snack

5 min prep

6 min cook

No common allergens detected

Based on this recipe's ingredient list. Always verify with your own brands and labels.

Good to know

Ready in under 30 minutes

Matched from this dish's own ingredients and timing. Browse more: 30-minute meals

Instructions

4 steps

1
Muddle mint leaves, lime wedges, and sugar in the bottom of a glass.
2
Fill the glass with ice cubes.
3
Top with club soda and stir gently.
4
Garnish with a sprig of mint and serve.

Virgin Mojito — plated and served — Serving moment. How Virgin Mojito looks plated and ready to eat — a representative photo, not a step in the recipe.

Listahan Family Score™

73/100

Good fit for most families

Allergen-friendly 100

Kid-friendly 55

Weeknight-easy 86

Budget-friendly 72

Great leftovers 50

Pantry-friendly 38

Score reflects how well this recipe fits a typical busy household. In the app, your Family Score is personalized to your household's allergens, kids, and pantry.

Nutrition

per serving

Calories

1 g

Protein

17 g

Carbs

0 g

Fat

Estimated per serving. Actual values depend on the brands and portions you use.

Listahan cooking guide

Chef notes & practical guide

Technique notes, ingredient swaps, serve-alongside ideas, storage guidance, and equipment for this recipe.

Cultural context

The mojito's mint-lime-rum combination comes from Cuba, likely built on older sailor and worker tonics that used citrus and sugarcane spirits to make brackish water more bearable. The alcohol-free version keeps the same bright, herbal profile while making it a drink the whole table can share.

Listahan note

This version leans on a firm muddle and a generous pour of club soda so it still feels festive and full-bodied without the rum.

Technique cues

Muddle the mint gently; bruising the leaves too hard releases bitter chlorophyll instead of just the fragrant oils.
Muddling the lime wedges along with the mint and sugar helps release more juice and dissolve the sugar faster.
Build the drink in the glass it will be served in rather than mixing separately, so the mint and lime stay at the bottom for aroma with every sip.

Kitchen flow

Parallel prep: Wash and stem the mint while the ice is being filled into the glasses.
Make-ahead: Muddle the mint, lime, and sugar into the glasses up to an hour ahead; add soda and ice right before serving.
Leftover move: Strain any leftover muddled mint-lime base into a pitcher of lemonade for a minty twist.
Cleanup rhythm: Rinse the muddler right away so mint residue doesn't dry and stick to the ridges.

Ingredient brief

Role, handling, and swap guidance for each key ingredient.

Fresh mint leaves

Aromatic backbone

Purpose: Mint is the defining flavor of a mojito; fresh leaves give a brighter aroma than dried mint ever could.

Handling: Muddle gently with a muddler or the back of a spoon, just enough to release the oils.

Adaptation: A few drops of pure peppermint extract in a pinch, though fresh mint is strongly preferred.

Lime

Acid

Purpose: Lime's sharp acidity balances the sugar and gives the drink its signature citrus snap.

Handling: Cut into wedges and muddle to release juice and oils from the peel.

Adaptation: Lemon works in a pinch, though the flavor shifts slightly sweeter and less tropical.

Club soda

Fizz and length

Purpose: The soda water gives the drink its refreshing lift and stretches the flavors over a full glass.

Handling: Pour gently over the ice at the end so the bubbles don't go flat before serving.

Adaptation: Sparkling water or ginger ale both work, with ginger ale adding a warmer spice note.

Technique notes

Use a proper muddler if you have one; the flat back of a wooden spoon works but needs a firmer hand.
Crushed ice, not cubed, makes the drink colder faster and gives it the classic mojito texture.
Reserve one mint sprig, unmuddled, to garnish on top so the aroma hits before the first sip.

Ingredient swaps

Sugar-free direction: Use a sugar substitute that measures cup-for-cup, or simple syrup made with a zero-calorie sweetener.
Fruity direction: Muddle a few raspberries or a splash of pineapple juice in along with the mint and lime.
Kid-friendly direction: This recipe is already alcohol-free, making it safe to serve as written to the whole table.

Serve alongside

Cuban sandwiches
Grilled shrimp skewers
Tostones
A light ceviche
Sparkling water with lime for a lighter version
Iced hibiscus tea for a tart contrast
Coconut water for a tropical companion

Serving suggestions only — check pairings for your household's allergens.

Storage & reheating

Best made fresh and served immediately; the soda water goes flat and the ice dilutes the drink if it sits.
The muddled mint-lime-sugar base can be refrigerated for a few hours before adding soda and ice.
Not suitable for freezing or long storage once fully mixed.

Equipment

Muddler or sturdy wooden spoon
Tall highball glasses
Bar spoon for stirring

Make this household-aware

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