Build Your Own Exotic Mojito Bar

Time flies when you’re having rum! Your guests will go ‘ga-ga’ over a Build-Your-Own Mojito Bar. While it drink might be straight out of Cuba, this refreshing cocktail takes me back to the beaches of Rome. My favorite classic recipe is straight from Vittoria Beach Bar in Ostia, and your guests will love you for it!

DIY Mojito Bar Set Up

The Booze:

• White rum
• Domaine de Canton
• Sailor Jerry (just in case people are feeling frisky)

The Mixers:

• Soda Water
• Ginger Beer
• Apple Juice
• Pomegranate juice
• Mango and Strawberry Puree (simply pulse frozen fruit in a blender with 3 tbsp. warm water until smooth)

The Essentials:

• Demerara Sugar (the BEST sugar!)
• Splenda (keep it carb-free!)
• Mint, fresh berries, lemons, limes, blood oranges
• Ice

The Bar Tools:

• Tall cocktail glasses or tumblers
• Jigger or shot glasses for measuring
• Muddler
• Hand-held juicer
• Blender
• Straws
• Long mixing spoon (for stirring)
• Knife with cutting board

Here’s a really awesome set on Amazon that has just about everything you need.

DIY Mojito Bar Recipes

Vittoria Beach Inspired Mojito

Muddle a handful of mint (about 10 leaves), with 2 tablespoons demerara sugar and 2 tsp. lime juice in a glass. Top with ice. Add 2 ounce White Rum. Pack with ice. Top with soda water. Stick a long spoon all the way down to the bottom of the glass and give it a good stir. Garnish with a lime and straw.

To make your booze and ingredients to go super-far, take a cue from my friends in Italy and prep your glasses for your guest. If you use short rocks glasses that are stackable, you can prep about 100 like the guys in Italy do every night before service. Simply put the sugar and mint in and stack. That way your guest can go right to muddling in lieu of figuring out everything they need!

Frozen Fruit Mojito

Make a traditional mojito minus the soda water, and add mango or strawberry puree, and blend in a blender. Garnish with a mint sprig and straw.

Spicy Mojito

Prepare a traditional mojito. Sub Sailor Jerry for white rum and ginger beer for soda water. Give it a good stir with a spoon. Garnish with a lime and straw.

Diet Friendly Mojito

If you’re on a low-cal, low-sugar diet: Sub out the demerara for Splenda–but only use one teaspoon. Muddle fresh berries and mint into the bottom of your glass. Top with 1 ounce white rum. Pack with ice. Top with soda or sparkling water, and you’ve got a sweet treat that won’t ruin your diet!