A cool Mojito is the perfect beverage to enjoy on a hot summer day. The refreshing soda water and lime juice combined with sweet mojito rum will have you feeling like you’re reclining on a Caribbean cruise – even if you’re just soaking up the sun in your backyard!
However, there is one (often overlooked) ingredient that can truly make or break your Mojito, and that’s the mint.
A traditional Cuban Mojito is garnished with mint leaves, and the fresh flavor of this delicious herb goes a long way towards bringing all the flavors of the cocktail together.
Because the mint is such an important component of a good Mojito, it’s important to give some thought to what kind of mint leaves you wish to incorporate into your drink.
Today, we will be sharing our top 5 favorite mint varieties for Mojitos with you! With our help, you’ll be ready to blend a mouthwatering Mojito in no time at all!
We have 2 fresh varieties, 2 dried products, and one extract to show you, so no matter how you prefer to make your cocktails, there’s a mint variety on our list that will work for you.
The 5 Best Mints for Mojitos
Fresh Brand Organic Mint
No products found.Our first choice of mint for Mojitos is the Organic Mint variety from the brand Fresh.
Fresh’s Organic Mint is good for you, the environment, and crucially in this context, your favorite Mojito recipe!
The mint that comes in this package is fresh, and the quality and freshness of the mint come through in the flavor. The leaves produce a potent flavor without being overpowering.
Fresh’s mint is USDA-certified organic, which means that it has been grown without the use of GMOs, pesticides, or synthetic fertilizers. This certification means you can also rest easy knowing that your mint has not been irradiated or put into contact with any sewage.
Additionally, the Fresh Brand Organic Mint is climate pledge friendly, meaning that it was produced in a way that is sustainable for the environment, the community, and the economy.
This mint comes in a 3-ounce pack. The average Mojito contains between 5 and 10 mint leaves, so this 3-ounce container will provide you with days’ worth of delicious cocktails for multiple people!
Unfortunately, the downside to fresh mint leaves is that they are perishable, so make sure you keep this mint refrigerated and consume it before its use-by date.
Pros
- Fresh mint leaves – Healthy and flavorful
- 3-ounce pack – Large supply
- USDA-certified organic – Naturally grown
- Climate pledge friendly – Sustainably produced
Cons
- Perishable – Requires refrigeration
Kenter Canyon Farms Organic Mint
No products found.The second fresh mint variety we would recommend adding to your Mojito is the Kenter Canyon Farms Organic Mint.
Because this mint is fresh as opposed to dried, it has a very satisfying, refreshing flavor and quality.
The flavor from this mint effortlessly infuses throughout the beverage, combining the flavors of the other ingredients so well that the end result will taste professionally made! We were so impressed when we tried it.
As well as being fresh, the Kenter Canyon Farms mint is organic. It’s grown on a farm, not cultivated in a factory, and it hasn’t been exposed to any pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, or dangerous substances such as sewage sludge.
Because the Kenter Canyon Farms mint leaves are grown in the U.S.A., you don’t need to worry about this mint variety’s sustainability.
By purchasing this mint, you won’t be funding excessive transportation by airplane and the damaging emissions that come with it.
However, be aware that this mint produce only comes in a ¾-ounce (0.75-ounce) pack, meaning that one pack probably won’t be enough if you’re making Mojitos for a large party. For a few afternoons of relaxation in the garden, however, it’s a good size.
Pros
- Fresh produce – Refreshing and flavorsome
- Certified organic – Healthy
- Grown in the U.S.A. – Sustainable
Cons
- ¾-ounce pack – Small quantity
Eat Well Premium Foods Crushed Mint Leaves
No products found.While the majority of high-quality Mojito (see also: Strawberry Basil Mojito)recipes you’ll find online and in cocktail-making books will call for fresh mint leaves, the reality is that this isn’t always convenient for everyone.
Fresh mint is perishable and needs to be stored in the refrigerator and consumed before a specific date (which, usually, isn’t far away).
This can be tricky if you make Mojitos often but don’t want to have to keep stocking up on fresh mint leaves. Moreover, some people simply prefer the slightly milder flavor of dried mint.
Because of these factors, one of our top recommended mint varieties is the Eat Well Premium Foods Crushed Mint.
This packet of dried mint contains crushed peppermint leaves. Peppermint is a notoriously strong mint variety, but because dried mint leaves are milder in flavor than fresh mint, the flavor potency balances out very nicely.
The pepperiness of the mint comes through clearly without overpowering the drinker, so even people who aren’t usually big fans of mint will love this in their Mojitos.
The Eat Well Premium Foods Crushed Mint is grown organically without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, or GMOs. However, because it’s grown in Turkey, it’s perhaps not the most sustainable option to buy in the U.S. due to flight emissions.
Because this mint is dried, it has a much longer than average shelf life. This is especially beneficial considering the relatively large, 8-ounce quantity of dried mint contained in this pack. You’ll have plenty of mint ready for all your Mojito-making endeavors in the near future.
Pros
- Crushed peppermint – Flavorsome but mild
- Dried mint – Long shelf life
- Organically grown – No GMOs or pesticides
- 8-ounce pack – Long-term supply
Cons
- Grown in Turkey – Not the most sustainable to ship
Spices Village Dried Mint Leaves
No products found.If you’re looking for other dried mint options to add to your Mojitos, we also recommend this Spices Village Dried Mint Leaves.
Spices Village uses spearmint to make its dried mint leaves. Spearmint is a popular choice for Mojitos because it has a distinctly sweet flavor compared to some other mint varieties, which blends beautifully with white rum and lime.
Because these spearmint leaves have been dried, there are also other benefits. For one thing, you get to enjoy an extended shelf life that limits the number of trips to the store you’ll need to make before future cocktail-making sessions.
In terms of flavor, there’s another distinct advantage to these dried spearmint leaves. Although mint is a key ingredient of the traditional Mojito, not everybody enjoys this herb’s potent flavor.
Spearmint, unlike peppermint, is already sweet and more palatable to those who don’t usually favor this kind of flavor.
Drying out the leaves makes the flavor even milder, so it shouldn’t be offputting to anyone.
This mint has been grown without any GMOs, so you can trust in the natural nature of this herb.
Plus, it comes in a resealable package, which helps to extend its shelf life even further than the drying process already does.
Like our previous dried mint product, however, the Spices Village mint is grown in Turkey.
If you’re a resident of the U.S., the shipping emissions may be something to consider if buying mint is a regular occurrence for you – although, again, the fact that this dried mint will last longer than fresh mint (meaning fewer purchases) counts for a lot.
Pros
- Spearmint – Sweet tasting
- Dried leaves – Gentle flavor
- GMO-free – Naturally grown
- Resealable package – Long shelf life
Cons
- Grown in Turkey – Shipping produces emissions
Frontier Co-op Organic Mint Flavor
No products found.Finally, another alternative to fresh or dried mint for Mojito-makers is mint extract or flavoring. Mint extract has a long shelf life and produces a stronger flavor, which is perfect for those who love the taste of mint and want it to be more prominent in their Mojitos.
Our main recommendation in the realm of mint flavorings is the Frontier Co-Op Organic Mint Flavor.
This is an organic mint extract, so it’s GMO-free and the mint used to produce the extract has been kept safe from chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and sewage. It’s safe and healthy to consume.
You can also rest assured that this mint extract flavoring is natural. It doesn’t contain any artificial ingredients for coloring or flavoring purposes, so it’s basically the liquid equivalent of natural mint leaves, making it the perfect substitute for your Mojitos.
We love that you can purchase this mint extract in packs of 2, 3, 4, or 10. Since you don’t have to worry so much about shelf life with extract compared with fresh mint, you can stock up on mint for your Mojitos well ahead of time with these multipacks.
Bear in mind that mint extract is much more potent in terms of flavor than either fresh or dried mint, so add just a little to start with and build the flavor from there if necessary. Remember, you can always add more, but you can’t remove mint extract once it’s been added.
Pros
- Organic – Safe and healthful
- Natural flavor – No artificial colors or flavors
- Multipacks available – 2, 3, 4, and 10-packs
Cons
- Very potent – May taste overpowering to some
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing The Best Mint For Mojitos
Surprisingly, there’s a lot to think about when choosing a type of mint for your Mojitos.
We’ve covered the most important factors in the pros and cons of each mint variety we’ve reviewed today, but in case you’re still unsure, we’ve broken down everything you should consider in this buyer’s guide.
Mint Type
First of all, what kind of mint do you want to add to your Mojitos?
The two most common mint varieties for Mojitos are peppermint and spearmint. Despite being 2 varieties of the same plant, these mint types are very different, so it’s important to consider this before you buy.
If you prefer sweeter, milder flavors, we would recommend choosing spearmint. It’s sweeter than peppermint and not as overpowering. If you’re trying Mojitos for the first time and aren’t sure how you feel about minty beverages, spearmint is absolutely the best choice.
Conversely, if you prefer stronger flavors and like to really taste the mint coming through the rum and lime in your Mojito, you may want to choose peppermint.
Peppermint, as its name suggests, has a distinct, peppery flavor that will easily compete with the strong flavors in your cocktail.
If you’re not yet sure how you feel about mint, peppermint possibly isn’t the best variety to start with as it can be very strong, especially in extract form (see below).
Fresh, Dried, Or Extract
You will also need to consider whether you want to use fresh mint, dried mint, or mint flavor extract to make your Mojitos.
Since this article calls for the ‘best’ mint for Mojitos, it might seem obvious that fresh mint should be the first choice. After all, the ‘best’ Mojito recipes often call for fresh mint.
However, what you actually want to be aiming for is to make the best Mojito for you, which means choosing ingredients to suit your preferences and needs. Fresh mint is not always the best choice for everyone, hence why we’ve included other options in this guide.
Fresh mint is certainly a great choice. It has a very refreshing flavor and will release actual mint juice into your Mojito, making for an authentic Cuban cocktail.
With that being said, if you find that repeatedly stocking up on fresh mint for your Mojitos is impractical, you may wish to consider dried mint. It has a longer shelf life, so storing it for long periods of time is easier.
Because it lasts longer than fresh mint (and often comes in larger quantities), you can cut down on trips to the store and money spent.
This is especially beneficial if you’re buying mint that needs to be shipped to the U.S. because buying less often makes your purchases more sustainable.
If you’re not a fan of strong flavors, dried mint may be the best option for you because drying out the mint mutes some of the potency of the flavor.
Alternatively, you could opt for mint extract. You’ll need to be careful if you choose this option because mint extract is very potent and it’s easy to add too much by accident. However, like dried mint, it has a longer shelf life and is easier to store.
Growth Method
We have prioritized organically grown mint products in our review section today because we aim to recommend the most natural, healthy mint varieties possible.
Check for an organic certified label when looking for mint products to add to your Mojitos. Organic certification means that no GMOs, chemical fertilizers, or pesticides have been used in the growth process.
It also reassures the buyer that the produce has not come into contact with any sewage, which is a very real concern.
Sustainability
Finally, try to ensure maximum sustainability in your choice of Mojito mint.
Ideally, we recommend prioritizing mint grown in the U.S. to cut down on emissions from air transportation.
Also, it’s a good idea to look for a climate pledge-friendly label on the packaging. This means that the mint has been produced in a way that causes minimal harm to the environment, people, or the economy.
Finally, if you do buy mint from abroad, it’s wise to choose dried mint and buy in larger quantities, meaning that your purchase will last longer to justify the air miles.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Make A Mojito With Mint?
To make a classic Mojito with mint leaves, all you need to do is add a lime wedge to your glass and crush some more lime and mint leaves with a muddler, extracting the juices.
Then, fill the glass with ice, pour the rum over the ice, and fill the rest of the glass with soda water. Garnish with more mint and lime if needed.
How Much Alcohol Is In A Mojito?
A Mojito consists of roughly 10 to 15% alcohol. It contains 2 ounces of white rum, which is the equivalent of 1.3 standard alcoholic drinks in the United States. With that being said, you can add more or less alcohol to your Mojito depending on your personal preference.
What Can I Use Instead Of Mint In A Mojito?
If you want to try a Mojito but don’t like mint, there are some herbs you can use as substitutes. Basil, cilantro, and rosemary are all popular choices because of their fresh, bright flavors.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the best mint to add to your Mojito might sound like a simple task in theory, but it actually requires careful thought.
Spearmint and peppermint are the top choices when it comes to preparing an authentic Mojito. Spearmint is the better choice if you prefer gentle flavors, while peppermint is optimal for pure strength.
If you value tradition and freshness when it comes to your cocktails, organically grown, fresh mint varieties will be the best choice for you.
However, if you prefer a milder flavor and a longer shelf life, dried mint might be more suitable. There’s also mint extract, which is ideal if you like a really potent mint flavor in your Mojito.
Good luck, and happy mixing!
