Virgin Mojito Recipe | Refreshing Mojito Mocktail

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Mojitos are one of the best ways to cool-off on a really hot day, especially during Indian summers. This Virgin Mojito, a mocktail version, has fresh basil leaves (easily swap with mint) which makes it all the more cooling and refreshing. Just a few ingredients muddled together, you can’t get an easier Mojito Mocktail recipe than this. Go for this Lemon Mojito at once!

lemon mojito in two glasses

About Virgin Mojito Recipe

An original mojito always uses fresh mint leaves, lemon or lime juice, sugar, white rum and club soda in its preparation. However, I decided to make a mocktail version and a virgin mojito recipe by omitting the rum and add a touch of basil instead of the mint. And the mojito drink simply turned out awesome.

The peppery pungent taste of the basil compliments the tangy citrusy notes of the lemon very well. Lemon and basil together, is surely a winner combination for this Mojito Mocktail recipe. Rejuvenating indeed, in summers.

It is a healthy practice to consume a lot of water and fruit juices during summers. Doing this helps to keep your body well hydrated. It also takes care of your skin, hair and overall health.

But make sure you’re preparing your own fresh juices at home and not drinking the processed ones loaded with artificial flavors and sugar. It’s always good if you are clean drinking too.

You can prepare this Lemon Mojito with water instead of soda. It can also be made in many batches and refrigerated for further use. Makes for a cool non-alcoholic party drink.

More on Mojito

Essentially an iconic Cuban cocktail, mojito is made with alcohol (white rum), lime/lemon juice, mint and soda. It is best consumed ‘on the rocks’ (poured over ice) and is a favored drink during summers.

There are many variations of the authentic spirit-based mojito recipe. For instance,

  • Dirty Mojito – made with key limes, dark spiced rum, brown sugar
  • Greek Mojito – made with Metaxa, an amber spirit from Greece
  • English Mojito – made with Sprite, gin and sometimes has cucumber
  • Mojito Royal – uses champagne as an alternative to soda
  • Malibu Mojito – has flavors of coconut

However, the one made sans any alcohol is popularly known as a Virgin Mojito. This Lemon Mojito With Basil is one of those. This can also be made with other fruits like pomegranate, mango, orange, litchi, berries, etc.

Basil is a lovely herb. Just like in this Lemon Mojito, the taste, zingy-ness and freshness that basil imparts to any dish, is really amazing. In addition to this, it has some volatile oils which have various medicinal properties and benefits.

I also love basil because it is a versatile herb that can be used to make flavored oils, in desserts or sauces like Pesto or Pizza Sauce with which you can make more delicious dishes like this Pesto Pasta and Pesto Pizza. There’s already this Lemon Mojito recipe as a fab basil-y beverage too.

Not to forget, you can use the fresh leaves just as it is in your salads, as a topping on pizzas, other snacks and starters. A ‘basil steam’ can also help ease stubborn headaches. Boil water with dried basil leaves, inhale the vapors and feel the magic.

Step-by-Step Guide

How to make Virgin Mojito

1. In a mortar-pestle or in a pitcher/cocktail shaker, take ⅛ cup basil leaves (about 18 to 20 small basil leaves), 2 slices of lemon or lime, 1 to 2 tablespoons sugar and a pinch of salt.

2 tablespoons sugar will make this drink sweet. If you want a predominant tangy taste, then add 1 tablespoon sugar. To make the drink diabetic-friendly, add a sugar substitute like stevia. You can also use honey instead of sugar.

ingredients for basil lemon mojito recipe

2. Muddle (lightly mash or crush) all the ingredients with a pestle or muddler. Do remove the lemon or lime seeds, if any.

lightly crushing the ingredients in the mortar with a pestle.

3. Spoon the muddled ingredients in two glasses with all the juices and extract left in the mortar.

lightly crushed ingredients taken in two glasses.

4. In each glass, add 1 tablespoon lemon juice or lime juice.

lemon juice added in each glass.

5. Add some crushed ice or ice cubes.

ice cubes added in each glass.

6. Pour soda, sparkling water or chilled water. You can also add half-half of soda and chilled water. Stir well with a stirrer or spoon.

pouring soda in each glass.

7. Serve Basil Lemon Mojito immediately.

virgin mojito served in two glasses.

FAQs

Is Thai basil and basil same? Can I use thai basil instead of regular basil in this recipe?

Though they belong to the same plant family, they are not the same. Thai basil has a unique sweet flavor which is different than the regular basil. However, you can use Thai basil instead in this recipe.

I love the flavor of fresh mint in mojitos. Can I use it in this?

Yes, you can use fresh mint this recipe too.

My mojito turned a bit bitter. What can be reason?

It may be due to excess tearing or crushing of the basil leaves or mint leaves. Also try not to use the leaves with the stems as these can make the mojito taste bitter.

Can I make this mojito with water?

Of course, you can make this mojito with water too.

What is the alternative to sugar if I want to make this mojito diabetic-friendly?

You can use sugar substitutes like stevia.

More Popular Mocktails To Try!

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virgin mojito served in two glasses with text layovers.

Virgin Mojito Recipe | Refreshing Mojito Mocktail

This Virgin Mojito recipe is a refreshing summer mocktail drink made with fresh basil (easily swap with mint), lemon, soda and sugar. Just a few ingredients muddled together, you can’t get an easier Mojito Mocktail recipe than this.
5 from 8 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Cuisine cuban, World
Course Beverages
Diet Gluten Free, Vegan
Difficulty Level Easy
Servings 2
Units

Ingredients

  • 18 to 20 basil leaves (small-sized of or ⅛ cup small basil leaves – about 1 gram (alternatively use mint leaves)
  • 2 lemon slices – thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice – divided
  • 1 pinch salt or add as required
  • 2 cups club soda or sparkling water or cold water
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons sugar or add as per taste
  • ice cubes or crushed ice as required

Instructions
 

  • First rinse the basil leaves or mint leaves in water a few times. Drain all the water and set them aside.
  • In a mortar-pestle or in a pitcher, take the basil leaves or mint leaves, lemons slices, sugar and salt.
    Note that 2 tablespoons sugar will make the drink sweet. If you want a predominant tangy taste, then add 1 tablespoon sugar.
    To make the drink diabetic friendly, add a sugar substitute like stevia. You can also use honey instead of sugar.
  • Muddle all the ingredients with the pestle.
  • Spoon the muddled ingredients in two glasses.
  • Divide the lemon juice and add in each glass.
  • Add some crushed ice or ice cubes.
  • Pour soda, sparkling water or water. Stir well with a stirrer or spoon.
  • Serve Virgin Mojito immediately.

Nutrition Info (Approximate Values)

Nutrition Facts
Virgin Mojito Recipe | Refreshing Mojito Mocktail
Amount Per Serving
Calories 31 Calories from Fat 9
% Daily Value*
Fat 1g2%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 1g
Sodium 196mg9%
Potassium 42mg1%
Carbohydrates 8g3%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 7g8%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 194IU4%
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) 1mg67%
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 1mg59%
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 1mg5%
Vitamin B6 1mg50%
Vitamin C 14mg17%
Vitamin E 1mg7%
Vitamin K 15µg14%
Calcium 28mg3%
Vitamin B9 (Folate) 6µg2%
Iron 1mg6%
Magnesium 7mg2%
Phosphorus 4mg0%
Zinc 1mg7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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This Virgin Mojito recipe post from the archives first published in April 2015 has been republished and updated on 25 May 2022.

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Welcome to Dassana's Veg Recipes. I share vegetarian recipes from India & around the World. Having been cooking for decades and with a professional background in cooking & baking, I help you to make your cooking journey easier with my tried and tested recipes showcased with step by step photos & plenty of tips & suggestions.

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20 Comments

  1. It was really nice… it was a great experience to make the drink which i always love to have….thanks …. had one question can we use crushed ice..

  2. This was so so refreshing !!! Thanks a lot for this recipe. I use basil leaves only for making pasta and basil pesto. But this is fantastic.
    I should say this site is super cool and the way you explain each and every step is so amazing. I have tried couple of your other recipes as well and it was a hit at home.5 stars

    1. thanks a lot annapurni. i also use basil leaves mostly for making pasta and pesto and i add them to fried rice and soups too. try adding some basil leaves in a tomato soup if you make at home. the taste comes out very good.

  3. Mam.. Basil means tulsi right?? It’s seems here basil is something different then tulasi?? Please explain..5 stars

    1. basil is not tulsi. they both belong to one family. but are different. tulsi is called as holy basil. and the basil that is added in european cuisine is different. also there are many varieties of basil that are added in recipes. in this recipe, you can use tulsi instead of basil.

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