National Mojito Day: Refreshing mojito remixes for every palate

Every July 11th, the United States ushers in National Mojito Day, a celebration of this iconic Cuban highball. Traditionally crafted with white rum, sugar, mint, lime and soda, the Mojito is more than just a popular cocktail - it's a blank canvas for mixological creativity.

The days of the same-old mojito are past us, especially if you fancy yourself a cocktail enthusiast. Inventive bartenders across the globe are taking this beloved drink to exhilarating new heights with exciting flavour twists. Whether you're a fan of bold and daring flavour profiles or prefer a subtler enhancement to the classic, here are a few easy recipes to elevate your Mojito experience.

Corrito
Corrito is an Indian-inspired twist on the classic mojito that might surprise you with its unique flavour, but it's a surprise you'll crave, claims Vikram Achanta, co-founder of 30BestBarsIndia and Founder and CEO of Tulleeho. He shares, "We crafted this cocktail recipe to celebrate easily accessible Indian ingredients, staples that are found in nearly every Indian kitchen. Instead of mint leaves, we use fresh coriander, and lime chunks for a burst of zest and herbal freshness and a pinch of chaat masala adds a unique savoury element to this rum cocktail.

Ingredients:
White rum 45 ml
Coriander 3-4 sprigs
Lime chunks 3-4
Sugar syrup 10 ml
Tabasco 2-3 dashes
Chaat masala a pinch
Thums Up for top-up
Ice

Method:
1. Muddle the lime and coriander gently in a highball glass.
2. Add the ice, rum, chaat masala, sugar syrup and Tabasco.
3. Top off with Thums Up, garnish with coriander leaves and serve.

Pineapple Vanilla Mojito
Escape to the tropics with the Pineapple Vanilla Mojito. This twist on the classic combines juicy pineapple chunks with the warm embrace of vanilla, creating a tastebud vacation in every sip. "This delightful beverage showcases a harmonious blend of citrusy notes, tropical fruit accents, and a touch of vanilla, resulting in a refreshingly complex and invigorating drink," says Jawairia Merchant, head chef and owner at Thai Naam.

Ingredients:
Lemon chunks 7 to 8 no
Mint leaves 12 to 15 no
Pineapple chunks 8 to 10 no
Sweet and sour mix 30 ml
Vanilla essence 10 ml
Sprite 45 ml
Soda 120 ml
Caramelised pineapple for garnish
Lemon slice for garnish

Method:
1. Add lemon chunks, mint leaves and pineapple chunks together in a tall glass.
2. Add sweet and sour mix, and muddle it well.
3. Add crushed ice and vanilla essence and mix it well.
4. Top it up with Sprite and soda water.
5. Garnish with caramelised pineapple and lemon slices.

Orange Mojito
If you are fond of bold citrusy flavours, this mojito will please you. "Each sip is a burst of flavour as vibrant as a Juhu Beach sunset," poses Gadda Da Vida, mixologist at Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach. He goes on to tell us about the balanced profile of the cocktail, "Sweetness dances with zesty citrus, creating a symphony that will tantalise your taste buds."

Ingredients:
Fresh mint leaves handful
Lime 3 wedges
Sugar 1 cube
White rum 45 ml
Lime juice 1 tbsp
Fresh orange juice 50 ml
Clear soda

Method:
1. In a highball glass, muddle mint leaves and lime wedges lightly.
2. Add a sugar cube and muddle into the mint and lime until almost dissolved.
3. To the glass, add the lime juice and orange juice. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.
4. Add white rum and give the drink a quick stir.
5. Top off with any clear soda.
6. Optionally, place a sprig of mint and a slice of lime on top for garnish.

Berry Blast Mojito
This is a drink that doesn't just quench your thirst, it makes your taste buds tango. "A sip of Berry Blast Mojito is like tasting summer's sweetest secrets, a refreshing burst of berries and mint that dances on your palate," shares Vedant Newatia, head chef at Atelier V.

Ingredients:
Fresh mint leaves 10-12 no
Simple syrup 10 ml
Lime 1/2 cut into 4 wedges
Mixed berries (raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries) 1/4 cup
White rum 60 ml
Club soda 240 ml
Ice
Berries and mint sprigs for garnish

Method:
1. In a sturdy glass or cocktail shaker, muddle the mint leaves, sugar, and lime wedges together. This helps release the mint oils and lime juice. Add the mixed berries and muddle gently to release their juices without completely pulverizing them.
3. Pour in the white rum and stir well to combine.
Fill a serving glass with ice cubes and pour the muddled mixture over the ice.
5. Top off the drink with club soda and give it a gentle stir to combine.
6. Garnish with additional berries and a sprig of mint. Serve immediately.

Dragon guava frozen mojito
"The exotic flavours of dragon fruit and the refreshing notes of mint, combined with the smooth sweetness of Bacardi Guava, create a cocktail that's both vibrant and refreshing. It's my tropical escape in a glass, and I hope it becomes yours too", says Shitij Harnwall, manager at Yazu Goa.

Ingredients:
Bacardi Guava 60 ml
Dragon fruit 5 to 6 pieces
Mint 10 to 12 leaves
Lime juice 15 ml
Simple syrup 15 ml

Method:
1. In a blender, add ice cubes dragon fruit pieces, mint leaves, lime juice, simple syrup, and Bacardi Guava. Blend until smooth and frosty.
2. Pour the mixture into a chilled glass tumbler.
3. Garnish with a slice of dragon fruit and a sprig of mint.