Fresh Cherry Mojitos

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read the full disclosure here.

This summer sip on the refreshing combination of sweet cherries, tart limes, and cool mint in these Fresh Cherry Mojitos.

In the summer I like to craft a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks using fresh produce.   This could mean anything from fruits to herbs to vegetables.

One of my favorite summer cocktails is a mojito.   I just find it to be really refreshing and while I love the original lime flavor, I also enjoy making them in many different fruit flavors.

What is a Mojito?

A mojito is a classic Cuban cocktail known for its refreshing taste. Classic mojitos use a combination of fresh mint, lime juice, sugar, and white rum.  The mint and sugar are muddled together to help release the flavor of the mint.

One of my favorite summer mojitos is the Raspberry Mojito using fresh, ripe raspberries.  A twist on the original is a Key Lime Pie Mojito with a graham cracker crust rim.  I’ve also made a gorgeous purple Blueberry Mojito.

A friend had just dropped off several pounds of freshly picked cherries and I couldn’t wait to use them.  I thought a Fresh Cherry Mojito would be delicious.

What type of cherries should I use in the mojito?

A sweet cherry is best to use in the mojito since the lime already brings a tart flavor.  I ended up using Bing cherries and they were perfect in this cocktail.

Mojitos are super simple to make and since I grow mint in my garden I almost of have the ingredients I need on hand.  The one thing I usually have to make is a quick simple syrup.

How do you make simple syrup?

To make simple syrup combine equal parts of sugar and water.   Bring the mixture to a boil in a small pot on the stove top.  Stir until the sugar has dissolved.   Cool and pour into a container with a lid.  Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Ingredients:

• fresh sweet cherries (stems removed and pitted)
• fresh mint leaves
• white rum
• lime juice
• simple syrup (see recipe above)
• seltzer or soda water
• ice

To make the mojito place the cherries, mint leaves, and rum in the bottom of a cocktail shaker or simply use a bowl.  Muddle the ingredients together using a muddler or a spoon.

Add in the lime juice and simple syrup. Cover the cocktail shaker and shake hard for 30 seconds. Strain over a glass filled with ice and the fill the remaining glass with seltzer water.

Place a few fresh mint leaves in the glass as well and give the cocktail a stir.  Garnish with lime slices and fresh cherries.

This mojito was so tasty and refreshing!   It had the classic lime and mint flavor but with added hints of sweet cherries.  My husband isn’t a huge rum fan but after tasting this cocktail he asked for one of his own!