Mojito

The Mojito is Cuba's most refreshing cocktail and the ultimate summer drink, combining rum, fresh mint, lime, sugar, and soda water to create effervescent tropical perfection. While similar drinks existed in 16th-century Cuba, the modern Mojito emerged in 1930s Havana and was popularized at La Bodeguita del Medio, where Hemingway famously drank them. The drink is built in a highball glass: mint leaves are muddled with sugar and lime, white rum is added, then ice and soda water top it off. The Mojito represents Cuban drinking culture, tropical refreshment, and the elegance of simple ingredients. The drink's herbaceous freshness (from mint), bright citrus, gentle sweetness, and effervescence create a balanced, crushable cocktail perfect for hot weather. The Mojito embodies beach vacations, Latin American culture, and leisurely drinking. Its popularity exploded in the 2000s, becoming a ubiquitous bar order, though many versions suffer from over-muddling (which bruises mint and creates bitterness) or lack of fresh ingredients. A proper Mojito requires fresh mint (gently pressed, not destroyed), fresh lime juice, good white rum, and delicate balance. Whether served on a Havana terrace or a Miami rooftop, the Mojito delivers instant vacation vibes and refreshing sophistication.