This refreshing Virgin Mojito is made with fresh mint, lime juice, simple syrup, club soda, and ice. It’s straightforward to make and full of flavor—no alcohol or extra calories!
Author’s note
Cool, Crisp, and Kid-Friendly Too!
Any time I have people over in the summer, I love to make a big pitcher of these Virgin Mojitos. They’re always the first thing to disappear! They feel fancy but come together in minutes!
The best part? My kids are just as obsessed with them as the adults are. I usually set out a tray with extra lime wedges and mint sprigs so everyone can dress up their drink how they want. It makes the kids feel special, and I don’t have to worry about sugar overload or a crash an hour later.
They’re crisp, refreshing, and a total crowd pleaser. Basically the reliable summer drink for any age!
What’s In A Mojito Mocktail?
| Ingredient | Tips or Swaps |
|---|---|
| Fresh mint | Use large fresh leaves for the best flavor |
| Fresh lime juice | Always use fresh lime juice for the best taste |
| Simple syrup | Honey syrup or agave syrup also work |
| Club soda | Sparkling lime water adds extra citrus |
| Ice | Crushed or pebble ice works best |
| Lime finish | skippable but makes the drink feel extra fresh |
Does A Virgin Mojito Contain Alcohol?
A typical mint mojito has rum in it, but this recipe is alcohol free and also kid (and pregnancy!) friendly. As a general rule, cocktails are made with alcohol; mocktails are made without alcohol.
Virgin Mojito Tools
While you don’t need any of these “tools,” they make the process easier; especially if you make a lot of drinks!
- Citrus reamer
- Muddler and mixing spoon (read about muddling here)
- Pebble ice maker (my personal favorite addition to this virgin mojito recipe, but a bit spendy!)
Quick Tip
Don’t have a muddler? Use the handle of a sturdy wooden spoon or ladle.
How To Make A Virgin Mojito
The full recipe card and all the details are included below, but in a sentence: muddle/crush the mint with lime juice and simple syrup, top it with club soda, add plenty of ice, and stir it all together!
Storing Simple Syrup
If you’re not familiar with simple syrup, feel free to read up on it here! It’s equal parts sugar and water heated together until dissolved. We add it to this Virgin Mojito recipe to add sweetness without a grainy texture. If we added plain sugar without heating, it wouldn’t dissolve and would make an unpleasant drinking experience.
Simple syrups have a decent shelf life when prepared and stored properly. The syrup needs to be made with very hot water and stored in a sterile container in the fridge. Stored in these circumstances, it should last for one month.
Flavor side note: if you happen to have demerara sugar, you’ll have an even richer simple syrup flavor!
More Alcohol-Free Drink Recipes:
Beverages
Sherbet Punch
Beverages
Sparkling Blueberry Lemonade
Beverages
Raspberry LemonadeIngredients
- 10 large fresh mint leaves
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons simple syrup (see note 1)
- 1/2 cup sparkling lime water (or club soda or ginger ale; sparkling lime water is a reliable!)
- Ice (I like using lots)
- 1 lime (lime wedge or slice of lime, skippable finish)
Method
- Place mint leaves in a glass; pour fresh lime juice and simple syrup (see note 1) on top of the mint. Use a muddler or the handle of a sturdy wooden spoon to press down on the mint and release its flavor (see note 2). Using your dominant hand, press down and twist lightly 3–4 times. Add in club soda, ginger ale, or sparkling lime water. Fill up the glass with ice and stir. If desired, finish with a slice or wedge of lime. serve while it is hot!
