A hot summer day calls for a refreshing mojito. This Cuban classic is traditionally made with mint, but if you don’t have any on hand, don’t worry. There are plenty of other options that can be used as a mint substitute in your mojito.
The best substitutes for mint in a mojito are lemon balm, basil, or cilantro. You can use mint extract or peppermint oil if you don’t have any other of the mentioned herbs at hand.
This article will dive deep into what to use as a mint substitute, how to make a mojito without mint, and some other creative ideas for your next mojito.
The Best Mint Substitutes In a Mojito
Mint is the key ingredient in a mojito, but plenty of other options can be used as a mint substitute if you don’t have any on hand. Let’s look at all of them.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is a member of the mint family and has a similar flavor to mint. Use Lemon balm in place of mint in any recipe, including mojitos.
To use lemon balm as a mint substitute, muddle a few leaves in the bottom of your glass before adding the rest of your ingredients.
Basil
Basil is another herb that can be used instead of mint. Basil has a slightly sweeter flavor than mint, with notes of anise and cloves, so it is a good choice if you want to add a little more depth of flavor to your mojito.
Basil can be used in place of mint by muddling a few leaves at the bottom of a glass before adding other ingredients.
Cilantro
Cilantro is a popular herb in Latin American cuisine and has a bright, fresh flavor.
Cilantro can be used in place of mint in any recipe, including mojitos. Just like you would with mint, muddle a few cilantro leaves at the bottom of your glass before adding the rest of the ingredients.
Mint Extract or Peppermint Oil
You can also use mint extract or peppermint oil if you have no fresh herbs. Mint extract is a concentrated form of mint flavor that you add to any recipe, including mojitos.
Peppermint oil is a potent form of mint flavor that should be used sparingly, as a little goes a long way. To use either mint extract or peppermint oil, add a few drops to the bottom of your glass before adding the rest of your ingredients.
Rosemary
Rosemary is an herb often used in savory dishes, but it can also be used as a mint substitute in sweet recipes like mojitos. Rosemary has a slightly piney flavor with notes of citrus and pepper.
To use Rosemary, muddle a few rosemary leaves in the bottom of your glass before adding the rest of your ingredients will give you a similar flavor profile as using mint.
Thyme
Thyme is another herb often used in savory dishes, but it can also be used as a mint substitute in sweet recipes like mojitos. Thyme has a slightly lemony flavor with notes of cloves and basil.
Muddle some thyme leaves in the bottom of your glass to make a mint-flavored base, and then add the rest of the ingredients.
Lavender
Lavender is an herb that has a sweet, floral flavor. Lavender can be used in place of mint in any recipe, including mojitos.
Muddle a few lavender flowers in the bottom of your glass as you would mint before adding the rest of the ingredients.
Other Great Options
There are other options for mint substitutes that can add a unique flavor to your Mojito. Whether you don’t have mint on hand or you’re looking to experiment with new flavors, consider making your next Mojito in the following ways:
- Using watermelon or cucumber instead of mint
- Adding some ginger for a spicy kick
- Using pineapple or mango for a fruity twist
- Toping it with prosecco or champagne for a bubbly mojito
- Adding some Herbs de Provence for a French twist.
Mojito Recipe Without Mint
Making a mojito without mint sounds sacrilegious, but sometimes you just don’t have any mint on hand. Whether you’re out of mint or looking for a new twist on the classic mojito, plenty of mint substitutes can add a unique flavor to your drink.
Our recipe will show you how to make a mojito with lemon balm, but you can use any of the substitutes listed above.
Ingredients:
- 1-ounce rum
- 1-ounce lime juice
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 ounces of sparkling water
- 3 leaves of lemon balm (or another substitute)
Instructions:
- Start by muddling the lemon balm in the bottom of your glass.
- Add rum, lime juice, sugar, and sparkling water.
- Stir everything together and enjoy.
Takeaway
There are plenty of substitutes that you can use for mint in a mojito. The best substitutes are lemon balm, basil, or cilantro. You can use mint extract or peppermint oil if you don’t have any herbs.
To make a mojito without mint, start by muddling some lemon balm, basil, or cilantro in the bottom of your glass. Then add rum, lime juice, sugar, and sparkling water. Finally, stir everything together and enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can drink mojito with tea. Our recipe uses Earl Grey tea, but any tea will work.
The main difference between a mojito and a caipirinha is that a caipirinha is made with cachaça instead of rum. Cachaça is a type of Brazilian rum made from sugar cane juice.
You can make a Virgin Mojito by leaving out the rum and adding extra sparkling water.
