Cherry Lime Mojito: My New Favorite Summer Sipper

I have a serious love affair with mojitos. The classic mint-and-lime combo is a winner, but last weekend, I found a bag of gorgeous, dark red cherries in my fridge that were begging to be used. What happened next was a happy accident that turned into my new go-to summer drink. It’s a little tart, a little sweet, and incredibly refreshing.

Gathering Your Ingredients

This recipe is less about strict precision and more about tasting as you go. You'll need a handful of fresh mint, one lime, a tablespoon or two of sugar (white or raw works fine), a generous pour of white rum, a handful of pitted cherries (fresh are best, but thawed frozen ones work in a pinch), some ice, and carbonated water or club soda to top it all off.

The Muddling Magic

This is the most important step! Drop your pitted cherries, mint leaves, sugar, and the juice of half that lime into a tall glass. Now, take your muddler (or the back of a wooden spoon) and gently press and twist everything together. You’re not trying to pulverize the mint into oblivion—that can make it bitter. You just want to gently crush the cherries to release their juice and coax the oils out of the mint. The smell that rises up is absolutely incredible.

• Sight: The deep, ruby red juice from the cherries staining the green mint leaves.
• Smell: The bright, zesty punch of lime mingling with the sweet scent of cherry and the cool aroma of fresh mint.
• Sound: The satisfying crunch of the ice cubes as you drop them in next.

Bringing It All Together

After muddling, add a few ice cubes to the glass. Pour in your rum—be as generous as you like! Then, simply fill the rest of the glass with fizzy carbonated water. Give it a gentle stir with a long spoon to combine everything and let the bubbles do their work. I like to add an extra wedge of lime and a whole cherry on the rim for a little flair.

And that’s it! You’ve just made a fantastically easy and impressive cocktail. It’s the perfect drink to unwind with on a warm evening. The cherry adds a fruity depth that feels so special, transforming the classic mojito into something new and exciting. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you.