Mojito Pitcher Recipe

Make drinks for a crowd with my easy mojito pitcher recipe! Mint, lime, white rum, and soda water come together for the ultimate big batch summer cocktail.

The minty mojito is one of my favorite classic cocktails of all time. But have you ever tried to make more than two mojitos, one after another? It takes far too long to make them to order.

So enter: my very favorite mojito pitcher recipe! I made this big batch cocktail for an outdoor dinner, and it’s so much more fun with this party drink in your hand. It’s minty, tangy, bubbly, and every time I drink one I feel that carefree feeling like the last day of school before summer vacation!

5 Star Reader Review

“This recipe was a winner! I made it for a girls night my friend was having. Everyone loved it!” -Beth

Mojito Pitcher Ingredients

The Classic Mojito was invented in Havana, Cuba, though the exact origin is unknown. Some say it goes all the way back to the 1500’s with an early combination of lime, sugar and rum. The modern version of it gained steam in the 1930’s, when writer Ernest Hemingway helped to popularize it.

The Mojito is usually as a single drink, not a pitcher. My pitcher version uses a homemade mint simple syrup, which is a little different from the standard method. You’ll need the following ingredients:

Fresh mint leaves: Pack them loosely into a measuring cup. (Also here’s how to store fresh mint so it stays the freshest.)
Granulated sugar and water: The base of a simple 1:1 syrup.
Fresh lime juice: Always use fresh juice: never bottled! The flavor difference is huge.
White rum: A white rum is traditional.
Soda water or club soda: Stirred in at the last minute to keep everything bubbly!

The Key Move: A Quick Mint Simple Syrup

The standard mojito is made in a cocktail shaker: first you muddle mint, then add simple syrup, lime juice and rum. But for a pitcher version, you don’t want to have to muddle such a large quantity of the herb. That’s where the mint syrup comes in! Make a quick mint simple syrup, and it infuses minty fresh flavor into each drink. It’s similar to this mint simple syrup, but even quicker. Here are the main steps:

Place mint leaves in a pan with equal parts sugar and water.
Bring to a simmer until the sugar is dissolved, then allow to sit at least 5 minutes. Then strain it into a large pitcher.

Otherwise, this mojito pitcher recipe is beyond simple. Mix the syrup with lime juice and rum, then add ice and garnishes to the pitcher. Serve topped off with soda water! Speaking of…

Soda Water vs. Club Soda: Does It Matter?

Speaking of soda water, is it club soda? Is it seltzer? In this mojito pitcher recipe, I use the term “soda water” to mean any type of unflavored sparkling water:

Soda water aka seltzer is carbonated water with no additives — straight up bubbles!
Club soda is carbonated water infused with added minerals, which give it a salty, lightly sweet flavor. It’s great in cocktails, like these top club soda cocktails.

What about tonic water? Tonic water is is carbonated water with added quinine and sugar. Don’t use it in a Mojito because of the distinct flavor. But you can use it for a Gin and Tonic, Vodka Tonic, Tequila Tonic or Whiskey Tonic!

Mojito Variations to Try

Want a few variations on this Mojito pitcher recipe? Here are a few different Mojito variations to try: you can adapt each of them to work as a pitcher!

Limoncello Mojito Add this Italian lemon liqueur for a citrusy twist
Virgin Mojito Mocktail Go virgin and skip the rum! Use the mint syrup, but you can add a hint of orgeat too if you like.
Strawberry Mojito Muddle 1 pint strawberries for a fruity variation!
Raspberry Mojito Muddle 1 pint raspberries, and add it to the mix.
Pineapple Mojito Add 1 cup pineapple juice to the mix.
Peach Mojito Muddle slices from 8 small or 4 large ripe peaches, and add to the mix.

When to Serve This Mojito Pitcher

This mojito pitcher recipe is perfect for parties! Try it as a:

As a summer drink at backyard barbecues and outdoor dinner parties
At brunch, Mother’s Day, and bridal showers
Porch happy hours and slow Sunday afternoons
As a pre-dinner aperitif
Big-batch hosting alongside other party drinks for a crowd

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

The mint syrup, lime juice, and rum can be mixed in the pitcher up to two hours ahead and refrigerated. Hold off on the soda water and ice until just before serving. Any leftover mint syrup keeps in a sealed jar in the fridge for about 2 weeks — and it’s great in lemon iced tea as a sweetener.