This Grapefruit Rosemary Mojito is a seasonal twist to the traditional Mojito.
This recipe keeps the essentials of rum, sugar, muddled citrus, herbs and club soda but brings it next level by swapping out the typical lime and mint with the in-season grapefruit and rosemary. Topped with club soda for a bubbly kick, this is the perfect cold cocktail to enjoy in the winter months. It’s so good you’re going to want it in the summer as well!
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When I hear the word mojito, I am instantly brought back to my trip to Cabo, Mexico where I literally only drank frozen and traditional mojitos the entire time.
There’s something about a mojito that feels like a classic cocktail for sipping by the pool. Maybe it’s the crunch of the sugar with the zesty lime and punchy mint? Or is it the bright green colors that remind me of summer?
Living in Los Angeles, mojitos can and should be a year-round cocktail because there’s no Winter season (unless you call 60ºF days that!). However, I often think about how to bring seasonal ingredients into everything I do.
Not only are seasonal ingredients the cheapest, but they also improve the quality of the final product. This is why I’ve used grapefruit and rosemary sprigs to “winter-ize” the traditional recipe. Let me tell you it’s probably my favorite cocktail I’ve ever made!
How to Make a Grapefruit Mojito
A mojito is not a drink that’s often mixed up. You will sometimes see strawberry incorporated, but the traditional ingredients of mint and lime are always present. This recipe keeps the base foundation of a mojito while punching up the flavor profile.
Ingredients and Substitutions
A traditional mojito is made of the essential ingredients of:
- RUM - Mojitos are a rum-based cocktail and I’m not changing that up! Any white rum will do for this mojito.
- SUGAR - Probably the best part of a classically well-done mojito is the crunches of sugar you get while sipping. It adds an essential kick of sugar to balance the acidic citrus. You muddle the citrus with sugar instead of shaking this cocktail.
- MUDDLE - In a traditional mojito, you use limes and mint. For this spin, grapefruits are used as an acidic but slightly sweeter tangy kick along with rosemary for the aromatic taste. You will muddle the grapefruit and rosemary TWICE.
- HERBS - Typically mint, you muddle herbs with citrus to release the oils into this cocktail for an extra depth of flavor. In this grapefruit rosemary mojito, there’s rosemary instead of the traditional mint.
- CLUB SODA - A mojito calls for club soda to top off the cocktail. Club soda adds the bubbly extra step that this cocktail needs to really balance the flavors. Use any club soda (non-flavored) for this mojito.
How to Garnish
People eat (and drink!) with their eyes first! A simple way to elevate any cocktail you make is by garnishing. A little goes a really long way! With a simple citrus wedge and rosemary sprig, you’ll feel like you spent $20 on this cocktail!
- GRAPEFRUIT WEDGE - I love the way a bright pink wedge of grapefruit looks with the beautiful deep green of the rosemary. I sliced a ½” thick wheel of grapefruit and split it into 4 smaller wedges. To top the glass, simply slit the wedge halfway through and place the slit onto the rim of the glass so it sits properly.
- ROSEMARY - To balance the lovely pink of the grapefruit wedge, I also like to add a tall rosemary sprig. It reminds you of the flavors inside the drink and well, it looks pretty!
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of sugar do I use in a mojito?
The best kind of sugar to use in a mojito would be white granulated sugar (aka regular sugar) or turbinado sugar. It is better to use sugar with larger crystals as it will give you the sugar crunch that makes a traditional mojito.
Why do i muddle a mojito twice?
Muddling twice allows for the oils to be released and create a more flavorful mojito. When you muddle the mojito ingredients the second time, you actually muddle with sugar to blend everything better together. Since you don't strain a mojito, it's the best way to mix the contents of this drink.
What do I do if I don't have a muddler?
If you don't have a muddler, simply use the bottom of a clean wooden spoon.
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📖 Recipe
Grapefruit Rosemary Mojito
Equipment
- Muddler
Ingredients
- 1 Grapefruit
- 6 Rosemary Sprigs washed thoroughly
- 2 OZ Rum White
- 2 TBSP Granulated Sugar
- 4 OZ Club Soda
Instructions
- Cut the grapefruit into ½” slices. Take each slice and divide into 4 wedges.
- Place 4 wedges (or 1 grapefruit slice) into the bottom of a highball glass along with 3 small rosemary sprigs.
- Muddle gently to release rosemary oils and aroma, and to get grapefruit juices from the wedge. Muddle for about 15-seconds or the grapefruit is juiced.
- Add the remaining rosemary sprigs and 2 more wedges of grapefruit. Pour the sugar and muddle gently again to incorporate the sugar with the juices and oils.
- Add ice to top off glass.
- Pour the rum over the ice.
- Top the drink off with club soda.
- To garnish, take your knife to slice halfway through one grapefruit wedge. Place the slit of the grapefruit wedge onto the glass so it stands.
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