Apple and mint make the perfect pairing in this fall-inspired Apple Mojito cocktail. Light and refreshing, this twist on the traditional mojito is perfect for the autumn apple season and makes a great addition to any mojito flight board.
Apple Mojitos have quickly become one of my favorite cocktails. Mostly because I get to use mint which is one of my favorite flavors. These apple mojitos are perfect for autumn nights in front of the fire, mojito flight boards, or any time you’re feeling like a refreshing fall-inspired cocktail.
What is a Mojito, Anyway?
Mojitos are a Cuban cocktail, generally made from rum, lime, sugar, mint, and club soda. In Spanish, Mojito is derived from the word, ‘mojo’ meaning ‘sauce.’ The pronunciation of mojito sounds like Moe-he-toe (mohito). Mojitos were first described in the 1800s by the Bacardi Rum Company but have been gaining worldwide popularity since about 2016.
how is mojito traditionally served?
Mojitos are traditionally served in a highball glass with muddled mint, ice, sugar, rum, and club soda. In this case, we are substituting the soda water for apple juice. I’m not a purist when it comes to serving cocktails in a particular style of glass – so if you do not have a tall bar glass, use whatever glass you have on hand. For a more pronounced fall flavor, try substituting apple cider for apple juice. It’s totally yummy.
How to Make A Mojito
This apple mojito is quick and easy to prepare. We typically prepare them by the glass to avoid the ice diluting the drinks but these may also be prepared by the pitcher. You can do this by using the ingredients multiplier located on the recipe card.
- Select a glass – A tall bar glass is traditional but if you do not have a 13 oz Highball glasses, use whatever glass you have on hand. I prefer these 15 oz stemless wine glasses, but a 16 oz pilsner or pint glass will also work just fine.
- Add Sugar and mint – crush the mint leaves into the sugar with a cocktail muddler or a thin wooden spatula, or a long-handled ice tea spoon. The goal here is just to bruise the mint to release the aromatics.
- Add the Ice, juice, and vodka – Add the vodka first to dissolve the sugar, then add the ice followed by the apple juice or apple cider.
- Garnish and serve – Garnish with freshly sliced apple slices and a spring of mint.
What is in an Apple Mojito?
These apple mojitos are a fun twist on the classic mojito that is perfect for fall, football, and holiday gatherings.
- Fresh Mint – If you don’t have this herb in your patio garden, look for it in the produce section of your local grocer. There you will usually find either live plants or blister packs containing fresh mint clippings.
- Apple slices – use your favorite apple variety for the apple garnishes. That will always be the best apple for the recipe. I prefer Honeycrisp, Fuji, and Granny Smith apples.
- Apple Juice or Apple Cider – What’s the difference? Well, apple cider tends to be unpasteurized and unfiltered, while apple juice is pasteurized and filtered. Apple cider may contain pulp, while apple juice doesn’t. These factors affect flavor, expiration, and composition. Apple juice provides a clean, crisp flavor while apple cider has a more full-bodied flavor profile. Apple cider is sometimes sold without extra flavoring but usually contains spices or other ingredients. Choose the one that appeals to you. Both are great choices.
- Sugar – Typically the recipe calls for superfine sugar, but this is not a requirement. If you do not have superfine sugar, substitute granulated sugar in its place. As far as alternate sugar sources, Monkfruit works well here in a 1:1 replacement. I have not tried this recipe with Truvia, Stevia, or Splenda. Honey and agave may also work but you may need to muddle the mint leaves in the glass before adding the honey or agave syrup to avoid the mess.
- Rum or vodka – Traditionally, mojitos are prepared with rum but if you only have vodka on hand, use that instead. Rum is a sweeter liquor because rum is made with sugarcane, which imparts a sweeter flavor to the spirit. Vodka, on the other hand, is made from potatoes or grains such as wheat or rye. This gives vodka a more neutral flavor that some people prefer. Despite being distilled from wheat and grains, Vodka is gluten-free as is Rum.
Apple Mojito
Equipment
- cocktail muddler, long spoon, or this spatula
- cocktail glasses
Ingredients
- 10 leaves Fresh mint [See Note 1]
- 1 cup Ice cubes
- 2 teaspoons Granulated Sugar [See Note 2]
- 1/4 cup Apple Juice or Apple Cider [See Note 3]
- 1/3 cup White Rum or Vodka [See Note 4]
- 4 Apple slices , for garnish [See Note 5]
Instructions
- In a 13 oz glass, crush the mint leaves into the sugar. The mint leaves should only be bruised to release the essential oils and should not be shredded. [See Note 6]
- Add the vodka and stir to dissolve the sugar.
- Top with ice and apple juice and stir.
- . Garnish with apple slices and a spring of mint. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Fresh Mint – If you don’t have this herb in your patio garden, look for it in the produce section of your local grocer. There you will usually find either live plants or blister packs containing fresh clippings.
- Sugar – Typically the recipe calls for superfine sugar, but this is not a requirement. If you do not have superfine sugar, substitute granulated sugar in its place. As far as alternate sugar sources, Monkfruit, works well here in a 1:1 replacement. I have not tried this recipe with Truvia, Stevia, or Splenda. Honey and agave may also work but you may need to muddle the mint leaves in the glass before adding the honey or agave syrup to avoid the mess.
- Apple Juice or Apple Cider – What’s the difference? Well, apple cider tends to be unpasteurized and unfiltered, while apple juice is pasteurized and filtered. Apple cider may contain pulp, while apple juice doesn’t. These factors affect flavor, expiration, and composition. Apple juice provides a clean, crisp flavor while apple cider has a more full-bodied flavor profile. Apple cider is sometimes sold without extra flavoring, but usually contains spices or other ingredients. Choose the one that appeals to you. Both are great choices.
- Rum or vodka – Traditionally, mojitos are prepared with rum but if you only have vodka on hand, use that instead. Rum is a sweeter liquor because rum is made with sugarcane, which imparts a sweeter flavor to the spirit. Vodka, on the other hand, is made from potatoes or grains such as wheat or rye. This gives the vodka a more neutral flavor that some people prefer. Despite being distilled from wheat and grains, Vodka is gluten-free as is Rum. Apple rum or Apple Vodka may also be used.
- Apple slices – use your favorite apple variety for the apple garnishes. That will always be the best apple for the recipe. I prefer Honeycrisp, Fuji, and Granny Smith apples.
- Select a glass – A tall bar glass is traditional but if you do not have a 13 oz Highball glasses, use whatever glass you have on hand. I prefer the 15 oz stemless wine glasses but a 16 oz Pilsner or pint glass will also work just fine.
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Perfect time of year for some fresh apple juice
Perfect thirst quenching mojito with fresh apple slices