Watermelon Mojito cocktail recipe

Sometimes the only thing that’ll hit the spot is a Mojito. The combination of lime, soda and mint is just so refreshing, there’s no substitute. But add watermelon to the equation, and you’ve got a sure-fire summer winner.

Born in Havana, Cuba, in the 16th century, the Mojito was originally a medicinal drink, designed to ward off scurvy and outbreaks of cholera (of course, it doesn’t). The ridgey-didge cocktail was mixed with cachaça, a traditional cane spirit, until Bacardi opened its rum distillery and changed the game. They championed the drink, pushing it into the 20th century and their rum along with it.

While you may not see the Mojito on every drinks menu in Australia of late, the drink is still outrageously popular in Havana. According to Wayne Curtis, author of And a Bottle of Rum, “You can walk into any Old Havana bar…and hold up two fingers without comment, the odds are favourable you’ll get two Mojitos in return.” Talk about service.

Everyone loves the OG Mojito, but if you’ve had your fair share and want to try something a bit different, why not try muddling in some different fruits? Next time you’re sitting on a good tuft of mint, try adding in a little watermelon. It’ll blow your mind.

Like all Mojito variations, you need to keep the mint fresh, so try not to over-muddle it. If you do, you’ll end up with little shreds of mint floating in your drink. So, get yourself some fresh mint sprigs and gently (very gently) pat them at the bottom of the glass. To garnish, make sure you have a healthy sprig to tuck in next to your straw.

Our last little tip is to always make sure you have enough ice. While any ice shape is fine, it’s best to use crushed ice here, and plenty of it. If your Mojito ice is floating, you don’t have enough.

And then just like any recipe, pay attention to your measurements and taste-test as you go. Just remember, the Mojito is a relaxed drink, so feel free to play with flavours, fruits and spices. If you want to keep trying other fruits, have a go at our Mango Mojito, Passionfruit Mojito or our Lychee Soju Mojito – all equally vibrant and delicious!