Vodka Mojito Recipe

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 01/24/23
Tested by
Laurel Randolph
Photo of Laurel Randolph
Tested by Laurel Randolph
A fervid lover of the culinary arts and all things Instant Pot, Laurel has been writing about food for 10 years. One of her cookbooks was the #2 cookbook of 2017.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Vodka mojito

The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi

Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail

Crisp and refreshing, the vodka mojito is a fantastic alternative to the classic mojito. Made in a similar manner, this cocktail simply substitutes the mojito's rum with vodka. The swap is a brilliant idea for drinkers who prefer the smooth, clean taste of top-shelf vodka. The liquor pairs equally well with the mojito's sparkling minty-lime flavor and is just as quick and easy to mix up.

For this mojito, you'll start with the typical muddle—the light mashing of ingredients using a muddler—of fresh mint and lime. The recipe is sweetened with rich simple syrup rather than sugar (though that is an option), and it's easy to make at home.

When making the switch to vodka, skip the cubes and use crushed ice to soften the alcohol and thoroughly blend it with the other flavors. It's also an excellent excuse to use a swizzle stick and churn the drink into an easy-drinking, frosty cocktail. Whether you swizzle it or stir like normal, the vodka mojito is an ideal summertime cocktail that can be adapted to taste with as many variations as its famous rum counterpart.

"A classic mojito that's perfect for vodka lovers. The ratios are spot-on for a lightly sweet, lightly sour, bubbly, and refreshing cocktail—but feel free to adjust the ratios to suit your tastes. I'll try adding a few fresh raspberries next time." —Laurel Randolph

vodka mojito/tester image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 5 to 8 torn fresh mint leaves, plus whole leaves for garnish

  • 3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice, from 1/2 lime

  • 1/2 ounce rich simple syrup

  • 2 ounces premium vodka

  • 2 to 3 ounces club soda, to taste

  • Lime slice, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients to make a vodka mojito

    The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi

  2. In a collins glass, add the torn mint leaves, juice of half a lime, and simple syrup. Muddle gently to release the herb's essence.

    Muddled mint leaves, lime, and syrup in a glass

    The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi

  3. Add the vodka and fill the glass halfway with crushed ice. Use a swizzle stick or bar spoon to churn the ingredients into a frosty mix.

    Vodka and ice added to the muddled ingredients

    The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi

  4. Fill the glass with more crushed ice and top with club soda.

    Glass topped off with crushed ice and club soda

    The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi

  5. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint and a lime slice.

    Vodka mojito garnished with mint leaves and lime

    The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi

Tips

  • Due to its clean, fresh flavor, the vodka mojito is best with premium vodka. Pour your favorite brand; one that you enjoy drinking straight is a good choice.
  • Mint leaves vary in size, and you can add more or less according to your personal taste.
  • Rich simple syrup is sweeter than standard simple syrup and made with two parts sugar and one part water.
  • Muddlers are useful for a variety of cocktails beyond the mojito, including the old-fashioned and mint julep. If you don't have a muddler, a spoon will work in this recipe, though it's not as efficient at mashing fruits if you choose to add them.

Recipe Variations

  • Rather than lime juice, muddle a few lime slices or wedges with the mint and simple syrup.
  • If you don't have simple syrup, use two teaspoons of white or raw granulated sugar. Muddle it with the lime juice until the sugar is completely dissolved, then add the mint and muddle gently.
  • Citrus vodka is an excellent alternative to unflavored vodka. Other flavored vodkas, such as berry, coconut, or pineapple are fun, too.
  • It's easy to increase this recipe for quick party service. Like the rum-based pitcher mojito, use a mint simple syrup: Combine about one cup of mint syrup with an equal amount of fresh lime juice, 1 1/2 cups of vodka, and 2 cups of club soda. Adjust the ingredients to taste.
  • Make a keto vodka mojito by using a sugar-free sweetener. You can even make keto simple syrup for cocktails; an allulose monk fruit sweetener works best and doesn't have a bitter aftertaste.
  • Add fresh seasonal fruits, such as a handful of berries or melon chunks to the muddle for a flavor twist.
  • For a virgin mojito, skip the vodka and increase the mint, syrup, and soda.

How Strong Is a Vodka Mojito?

Most mojitos contain a moderate amount of alcohol, and this vodka mojito follows suit. When made with the standard 80-proof vodka, it should fall in the 11 percent alcohol by volume (ABV, 22 proof) range. The crushed ice adds more dilution than cubes, which produces a slightly lighter drink. In any case, the vodka mojito is similar to drinking a glass of wine.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
180 Calories
0g Fat
16g Carbs
1g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 180
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 4mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 16g 6%
Dietary Fiber 2g 7%
Total Sugars 8g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 27mg 133%
Calcium 40mg 3%
Iron 1mg 3%
Potassium 102mg 2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)