Classic Spicy Mojito with Jalapeño

Craving a cocktail with a little kick? This refreshing Spicy Mojito is just like the classic mojito, but with the addition of fresh jalapeño for some spice.

The winning combination of muddled jalapeño and fresh mint in lime juice is only amplified by the crisp white rum. And nothing says refreshing like a bubbly finish!

I love a twist on a mojito, like adding the jalapeno for spice in this one, or making it fruity like in this Strawberry Pineapple Mojito!

Plus, as a time-strapped mom who loves a fun cocktail, one that takes little time and effort but with big payoff is something I truly appreciate!

Spicy Mojito Ingredients

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Here’s everything you need:

• Jalapeño. For spice of course! Two little spheres are enough for me, but add more if you want to really bring the heat!
• Mint. Fresh spearmint is the best.
• Lime. Using fresh lime rather than pre-squeezed lime juice is preferred.
• White rum. Dark rum will work too, but white rum has a more subtle taste, allowing the other flavors to shine.
• Simple syrup or sugar. I love using simple syrup because it integrates into your drink much more seamlessly, but granulated sugar will work in a pinch.
• Club soda. For the bubbles, of course!
• Optional Tajin. For a slightly spicy, savory rim.

The Best Alcohol for Mojitos

A classic mojito uses White rum as it’s spirit, which mixes beautifully with the fresh lime juice and mint. This spicy mojito is no different!

If you’re not a rum fan, check out this list of tequila margaritas instead!

Spicy Mojito Tips and Tricks

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Consider a Tajin Rim

This just adds some extra flavor, spice, and visual appeal to your cocktail, but it’s completely optional.

Adding a Tajin rim to your cocktail glass is super easy! Just wet the rim of your glass with some water on your finger or by using a lime wedge.

Run your wet finger or the lime wedge around the rim of the glass, then dip the wet rim into Tajin. It’s best to put the Tajin in a shallow bowl or a cocktail rimmer.

Rotate the glass around in the Tajin until it’s fully coated and voila! A perfectly garnished rim.

Remove the Seeds

Believe it or not, the spiciest part of the jalapeño is it’s seeds. I find that getting a mouthful of them in a sip is way too much (were talking smoke coming out of my ears 😂).

Plus, it completely changes the texture of your sip from fizzy but smooth to grainy and harsh.

To remove the seeds, I usually just slice my jalapeño into little spheres and use my thumb to push them through and out the other side. If there are any extra pesky little seeds lingering, you can rinse them off in the sink.

Use Fresh Lime

Using fresh lime goes a long way in this recipe! Just one lime should give you all the juice you need.

I love using my citrus squeezer to get the most out of the lime, but you can hand-squeeze as well.

Muddle it Up

This is especially important in this spicy mojito! I use just two little seedless spheres and find that to be enough spice. If your spice tolerance is high and you want more of a kick, you can add up to four slices of jalapeño.

Add the sliced and seedless jalapeño to a highball glass with the mint and lime juice.

Use a wooden spoon or muddler to press down on the mint and jalapeño, crushing the pepper and expressing the juice from the fresh mint.

Sweeten it

If you’re using granulated sugar, simply muddle it with your lime juice, jalapeño, and mint. If you’re using simple syrup (preferred), add it after muddling.

You can easily make your own simple syrup at home! Just use a 1:1 ratio of sugar and water, add it to a small pot, and heat until the sugar is dissolved.

Make sure to allow the homemade simple syrup to cool before adding it to your Spicy Mojito. You can store it in a jar with a lid or airtight container for about a month before getting cloudy.

Choosing Your Rum

It’s as simple as this: use your favorite! White rum is my preference as its flavor is subtle, allowing the lime, mint, and spicy jalapeño to shine.

But if you only have dark rum at home, that will absolutely work too.

Top it with Bubbles

The best finish to a Spicy Mojito is bubbles! I prefer using club soda, but tonic water or sparkling water will work in a pinch.

Once you’ve muddled your jalapeño and mint in the lime juice, and added your sweetener and rum, add ice to your glass. Then, your next to last step (before adding the garnish) is to top your cocktail with bubbles.

Don’t Skip the Garnish

The garnish not only adds visual appeal to your cocktail, but adds a fresh and fragrant aroma to every sip.

Finishing your cocktail by garnishing with lime, mint, and jalapeño spheres is the easiest way to elevate your mojito!

Why You Should Make this Spicy Mojito

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• The spice. There’s just nothing like a cocktail with a kick!
• It’s balanced. The fresh lime juice and mint cool your palette while the jalapeño warms it up.
• It’s refreshing! There’s nothing more refreshing than mint, citrus, and bubbles in an ice-cold drink.