This red mojito is a strawberry-flavoured mojito embracing juicy fruit flavour alongside rum and mint. It's made using strawberry cocktail syrup and spiced rum, so really it could be described as a fruity spiced rum mojito. The bold colour makes it particularly eye-catching.
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This post is sponsored by Mixologist's Garden. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This post also contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Why you'll love this cocktail
- Appearance - this mojito variation is eye-catching because of its colour alone.
- Taste - expect gorgeous fruity flavour created by the inclusion of strawberry cocktail syrup, lime juice and an abundance of punchy freeze-dried strawberry and lime slices.
- Easy to make - the strawberry cocktail syrup and the red mojito are both extremely easy to make.
- Adaptable - it's up to you whether to stick with white rum, which is typically found in a mojito or to introduce another layer of flavour by making it a spiced rum mojito.
- Different - it's a mojito, but not as you know it.
- Great for celebrations - the deep blush colour of this strawberry flavoured mojito makes it a good option for Halloween but also for Christmas and even Valentine's Day.
This vibrantly coloured red mojito is packed full of flavour yet still retains the main character of the classic mojito it is based on. I've incorporated homemade strawberry cocktail syrup to infuse both fruity flavour and an abundance of colour to this ever-popular libation. The result is spectacular.
I've used natural freeze-dried strawberries from Mixologist's Garden to make the syrup to ensure that this flavoured mojito cocktail can be made year-round, even when strawberries are out of season.
If you like fruity and long cocktails then take a look at my blackcurrant mojito variation, my English Garden cocktail and Winter Pimms. And if you're after a non-alcoholic serve then take a look at my non-alcoholic fruit punch.
Ingredients notes
For the Strawberry cocktail syrup
Strawberries - a whole packet of Mixologist's Garden freeze-dried strawberry slices is required. These ensure that the flavour of the syrup is consistent and bold, regardless of the season.
Sugar - white sugar, either granulated or caster is fine.
Citrus juice - just a dash of lemon or lime juice helps turn the syrup into a zesty, fruity little number.
For the spiced rum mojito
Aside from the strawberry cocktail syrup, you will need:
Rum - use either white rum or spiced amber rum.
Fresh Mint - it really wouldn't be a mojito without mint.
Soda water - this adds sparkle to the drink without adding extra sweetness. Please do not replace it with lemon/ lime soda drinks as this already sweet mojito variation will likely become too sweet.
Lime juice - a good splash is required.
Fruit - layering freeze-dried strawberry and lime slices into the drink is a great way to add extra colour and extra vibrancy to the flavour of your flavoured mojito.
What glass to use
This strawberry flavoured mojito is assembled in the serving glass. Ensure you select a full-size highball glass for your drink.
Step by step instructions
Full instructions and measurements are given in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.
Before assembling your red mojito, you'll need to make the strawberry cocktail syrup. Here's how to make it and the cocktail.
Step 1. To make the syrup put the sugar, freeze-dried strawberries, citrus juice and water into a pan. Cook gently, until the sugar has dissolved.
Step 2. Take the pan off the heat, cover it and leave the syrup to infuse for at least 2 hours. Strain it through a fine-meshed sieve and decant the syrup into a bottle.
Step 3. To make the cocktail pour the lime juice into the bottom of a highball glass and drop in the mint leaves. Bruise the mint lightly using a bar muddler or the end of a rolling pin.
Step 4. Now layer freeze-dried strawberries and lime slices into the glass along with ice.
Step 5. Pour in the rum followed by the strawberry cocktail syrup.
Step 6. Top up with soda water and garnish with a long cinnamon stick, fresh mint and some freeze-dried strawberry & lime slices threaded onto a cocktail pick.
Expert Tips
Top Tip: The cinnamon stick can be used to gently stir the cocktail should the drinker wish to do so.
- Avoid boiling the strawberry syrup as it will thicken, making it harder to blend into the drink. Just cook it over medium heat until the sugar dissolves then leave the syrup to infuse with the freeze-dried strawberry slices.
- Ensure all of your ingredients are chilled before assembling the drink so that the ice doesn't melt too quickly.
- Lightly bruise the fresh mint. There is no need to pound it to a pulp.
Frequently asked questions
For a spiced rum mojito use spiced amber rum or for a straight red mojito go with white rum.
The strawberry cocktail syrup has been created specifically for freeze-dried strawberries. They have a more concentrated flavour than fresh strawberries meaning that a like-for-like substitution is not recommended.
To make your strawberry mojito non-alcoholic either replace the rum with your favourite alcohol-free rum or just leave the rum out completely.
Ways to use strawberry cocktail syrup
You can use your strawberry syrup in various other drinks, not just in this flavoured mojito. Try the following ideas:
- Strawberry margarita - follow my raspberry margarita recipe but replace the raspberry syrup with your strawberry cocktail syrup.
- Strawberries and champagne - just add a teaspoon of strawberry syrup to the bottom of a fluted glass and top with champagne or dry sparkling wine.
- Berry bramble - follow my recipe for peach melba bramble but replace the peach syrup with strawberry cocktail syrup.
- Strawberry daiquiri - adapt my violet daiquiri recipe by replacing the violet syrup with strawberry syrup and omit the food colouring.
More red alcoholic drinks for Halloween
Just like this spiced rum mojito, plenty of other red drinks make ideal serves at Halloween. Here are a few good ones to try out.
Have you made this red mojito recipe? Please give the recipe a rating or leave a comment - I love to hear how you get along with my creations.
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Red Mojito - A Strawberry Syrup Cocktail
Ingredients
For the Strawberry Cocktail Syrup
- 10 g Mixologists Garden Freeze-Dried Strawberries
- 100 g White sugar
- 100 ml Water
- ½ teaspoon Lemon juice or lime
For the Red Mojito
- 50 ml White rum or Spiced Amber Rum
- 30 ml Strawberry Cocktail Syrup
- 20 ml Lime juice
- 50 ml Soda Water (Club Soda)
- 12 Mint Leaves
Garnish
- Mixologist's Garden strawberry slices
- Mixologist's Garden lime slices
- Fresh Mint Leaves
- Cinnamon Stick
Instructions
Make the Strawberry Syrup
- Put the sugar, water, lemon juice and strawberries into a saucepan and heat gently until the sugar has dissolved.10 g Mixologists Garden Freeze-Dried Strawberries, 100 g White sugar, 100 ml Water, ½ teaspoon Lemon juice
- Remove the pan from the heat and leave it to infuse for at least 2 hours (preferably overnight).
- Strain the syrup through a fine-meshed sieve and discard the fruit.
- Decant the liquid into a bottle and store it in the fridge for up to a month.
Make the Red Mojito
- Put the mint leaves and lime into the base of a highball glass and use a cocktail muddler (or the end of a rolling pin) to squish the mint lightly.12 Mint Leaves, 20 ml Lime juice
- Layer ice and freeze-dried strawberry & lime slices into the glass.Mixologist's Garden strawberry slices
- Pour in the rum and strawberry syrup, stir briefly to mix with the lime juice.50 ml White rum, 30 ml Strawberry Cocktail Syrup
- Top it up with the soda water and garnish with more strawberry and lime slices, a cinnamon stick (or straw) and a sprig offresh mint. Serve immediately.50 ml Soda Water, Fresh Mint Leaves, Cinnamon Stick, Mixologist's Garden strawberry slices
Notes
- The longer you can leave the strawberries in the syrup the bolder the strawberry flavour will become.
- Lightly bruise the fresh mint. There is no need to pound it to a pulp.
- Do not boil the syrup as it will thicken, making it harder to mix into drinks.
- Ensure all of your ingredients are chilled before assembling the drink so that the ice doesn't melt too quickly.
- Vary the amount of syrup used in your mojito depending on your taste preferences.
- To make it as a mocktail simply use your favourite non-alcoholic rum alternative and proceed with the recipe.
- The strawberry syrup could also be paired with Champagne or sparkling wine to make a quick and easy cocktail. Alternatively, try using it to make a strawberry margarita.
Jane Coupland says
I hope you enjoy making this cocktail. It's been a pleasure creating this recipe.