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In 2021, the global non-alcoholic (NA) spirits market generated $281 million in sales—none of which came from me. This isn’t from a lack of interest in non-alcoholic products (I’ve dabbled in NA beer), but rather from the general belief that non-alcoho…
In 2021, the global non-alcoholic (NA) spirits market generated $281 million in sales—none of which came from me. This isn’t from a lack of interest in non-alcoholic products (I’ve dabbled in NA beer), but rather from the general belief that non-alcoholic spirits were nothing more than well-packaged, non-carbonated kombucha. Then, earlier this year, in a moment of true boredom, I tried some of the NA spirits we had in our office. I liked them—a lot. Shocker: This thing that millions of people like…is actually good. It turns out, I’m not alone here: The non-alcoholic spirits market is expected to do $642 million in sales in 2031—nearly triple its 2021 volume. So, odds are, some of you NA skeptics will eventually become believers, too.
In hopes of learning more about this trend that’s likely to stick around—and because they’re occasionally quite delicious—our editorial team taste tested 24 different non-alcoholic spirits. These were our findings.
Similar to our philosophy on the best chef gifts, we believe the best gifts for cocktail enthusiasts are ones they will regularly use when making drinks. We’re high on the timeless basics—shakers, glassware, and juicers—and the playful accessories like…
Similar to our philosophy on the best chef gifts, we believe the best gifts for cocktail enthusiasts are ones they will regularly use when making drinks. We’re high on the timeless basics—shakers, glassware, and juicers—and the playful accessories like mixing glasses that make fun cocktail gifts. With that in mind, here are our best gift ideas for your favorite mixologist or friend who’s always shaking, stirring, and sipping something.
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Here’s how to make a classic Mojito recipe! Mix up the original with just a few ingredients: lime juice, sugar, club soda, and rum.
Craving a great rum cocktail? Here’s how to make one of the most popular drinks with rum: the Mojito! It’s minty fresh, zingy and bubbly, simple to whip up with just a handful of ingredients. It’s the classics we keep coming back to, even after tasting hundreds of cocktail recipes. This one is in our top 3 best drinks of all time! The harmony between the boozy rum, zingy lime, herbaceous mint, and sparkling bubbles is legendary.
Mojito ingredients
The mojito is a sour cocktail that originated in Havana, Cuba and has become one of the world’s most popular rum drinks. Some say it stems back to the 1580’s with a drink called the Draque, named after Sir Francis Drake. Others say it solidified in the mid-1800’s when the Bacardi rum company created a spin on the Draque using rum. Some think Americans brought the Mint Julep to Cuba, which spawned a variation with rum.
Whatever the case, its place as an iconic Cuban cocktail solidified by the 1930’s when Ernest Hemingway helped to popularize the drink. The Mojito ingredients include:
Fresh mint
Lime juice
White rum
Sugar
Sparkling water or club soda
How to make a Mojito
The Mojito is simple to make if you’ve got a handful of mint and a fresh lime! For this drink, you’ll need a cocktail muddler, which is used to mash the mint with the lime juice and sugar. Fortunately, this drink can be made right in the glass: there’s no need for a cocktail shaker! (This is extremely handy: it makes it easy to make a drink and less mess.) Here’s how to make a Mojito:
Cut 1 lime into wedges.
In a medium-sized lowball glass or highball, add 6 mint leaves, lime wedges, and 2 tablespoons sugar, adding ½ lime at a a time. Muddle until lime juice is released and mint is fragrant.
Add 2 ounces rum and swirl. Add a handful of ice and top with 2 ounces club soda. Stir once or twice to incorporate and garnish with additional mint and lime wedges.
Adjusting the sweetness
This Mojito tastes sweet and balanced with 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar, which is 6 sugar cubes. But if you prefer a more tart drink, start with 1 ½ tablespoons sugar. Make sure to stir a few times so that the sugar incorporates into the drink.
You can also use simple syrup for a Mojito! Use 1 ½ ounces simple syrup, which equates to 2 tablespoons granulated sugar.
The best ice for a mojito: crushed vs cubes
One last thing about this Mojito recipe before we get to that recipe! Many purists argue over the right ice to use in this classic drink: crushed ice or cubed. In our research, we’ve found this: crushed ice melts faster. So if sparkling water is added as part of a drink, you should use ice cubes, not crushed ice that might water it down more.
Using that theory: since soda water (aka club soda) is part of the Mojito, you should use ice cubes and not crushed ice! Now you know. Of course as with any cocktail “rule”, you can break it at any time.
Make a Mojito pitcher for a crowd
It’s simple to whip up a classic Mojito in the glass. But if you’re having a party, how do you make enough drinks for the crowd? Try a Mojito pitcher! This way you don’t have to muddle mint every time (though you can, if you’d like!).
The pitcher variation use mint syrup instead! Make a quick mint simple syrup, which infuses herbaceous fresh flavor into each drink. Go to this Mojito Pitcher Recipe.
Mojito variations
Want a few variations on the classic Mojito? Here are a few different Mojito variations to try:
This frozen Mojito is a blender variation on the standard! It's icy and refreshing, like someone amped up the dial on the mint volume of the classic cocktail.
Add tropical pineapple to the mix, and it’s a symphony of flavor. The sweet tart of the fruit balances the tangy lime and sweet cooling mint perfectly.
Imagine: the juicy flavor of that ripe summer fruit, paired with hints of fresh mint, zingy lime, and white rum. It’s light, refreshing and altogether irresistible.
In a medium-sized lowball glass or highball, add the mint, lime, and sugar, adding ½ lime at a a time. Muddle until lime juice is released and mint is fragrant.
Add the rum and swirl. Add a handful of ice cubes and top with the soda water. Stir once or twice to incorporate and garnish with additional mint and lime wedges.
Notes
*For a balanced drink, use 2 tablespoons; for a less sweet drink, use 1 ½ tablespoons.
**To convert to tablespoons, 1 ounce = 2 tablespoons.
Category:Drink
Method:No Cook
Cuisine:Cocktail
Diet:Vegan
Keywords: Mojito, mojito recipe, mojito ingredients, how to make a mojito
The classic Negroni is strong as it is simple: equal parts citrusy gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari. Which is probably why it’s such a popular summer cocktail, served on the rocks or in a coupe.
But there’s another beverage that claims to be ‘the drin…
The classic Negroni is strong as it is simple: equal parts citrusy gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari. Which is probably why it’s such a popular summer cocktail, served on the rocks or in a coupe.
But there’s another beverage that claims to be ‘the drink of the summer.’ Less-watery, more caffeinated, and lower in acid, cold brew is like iced-coffee’s cooler sibling. It’s exactly what you crave as summer temperatures swell, and, just like the Negroni, it’s extremely simple to make.
Everyone in the Food52 world knows that we love to announce new arrivals. But of course we do—our talented buying team spends so much time and attention carefully curating our online shelves with home, kitchen, and outdoor goods we know our community w…
Everyone in the Food52 world knows that we love to announce new arrivals. But of course we do—our talented buying team spends so much time and attention carefully curating our online shelves with home, kitchen, and outdoor goods we know our community will love.
We’ve been talking a lot about cocktails, mocktails, and everything you need to make them this season. We shared a “Semiserious Guide to Mezcal Cocktails”, an expert-led how-to for picking the perfect cocktail glass, broke down apéritif hour, and sang …
All that cocktail-making inspiration is fun, but we know that setting up an at-home bar can quickly become intimidating. Whether you are trying to find the perfect glassware or deciding on the best liquors and liqueurs to add to your bar cart, the once-fun task can soon feel like a chore.
For years, the traditional citrus juicer has held a dedicated spot in our kitchen drawers. It’s a workhorse for squeezing fresh lime juice for salsa, lemon juice for dressings, and orange juice for Sunday morning mimosas. But its domed design is such …
For years, the traditional citrus juicer has held a dedicated spot in our kitchen drawers. It’s a workhorse for squeezing fresh lime juice for salsa, lemon juice for dressings, and orange juice for Sunday morning mimosas. But its domed design is such a space hog, it doesn’t play well with all our other utensils. And that’s not our only problem with bulky juicers.
Enter the Fluicer. Made by Australian company Dreamfarm, which makes many clever gadgets, its award-winning design solves almost every gripe we have with traditional squeezers.
Here’s how to make the classic margarita recipe! It’s easy with just 3 ingredients: tequila, lime, and orange liqueur.
There’s a reason the margarita is world’s most popular tequila drink. This classic sour cocktail hits just the right balance of earthy tequila, zingy lime juice and sweet orange liqueur. Many restaurants and bars have created syrupy spins on the theme, or added flavors from mango to hibiscus. But we keep coming back to that classic formula: just 3 ingredients makes the best balanced tart and salty cocktail. Here’s how to make the best margarita!
Margarita ingredients
The margarita is one of the most popular classic cocktails in history. It was mostly likely invented in Mexico in the 1930’s (there are many competing origin stories, so the exact story is unknown). Margarita means “daisy” in Spanish and was likely a variation on the Brandy Daisy. The Daisy is a historic family of drinks with base liquor, orange liqueur, lemon juice, and soda water.
The margarita became popular during the Prohibition era, when Americans would travel to Mexico to get alcohol. It has spawned many variations that have diluted the classic way to make it. The classic margarita recipe has the following ingredients (per the definition by the International Bartender Association’s IBA official cocktails):
1 ½ oz tequila
1 oz Triple Sec or Cointreau
¾ oz lime juice
How to make a margarita
The classic margarita recipe is simple: you can make it as a single drink or as a margarita pitcher. Either way, you’ll need to allow time to prepare the glass rim and garnishes before making the drink. Here’s how to make a single drink:
Rim the glass with salt. The classic margarita has a salt rim to enhances the sweet and sour flavors in the drink. Spread the salt on a plate in an even layer. Take a lime wedge, cut a notch in the middle, then slide it around the rim of the glass. Dip the outside edge of the glass in the plate of salt, then shake off any loose salt into the sink.
Shake in a cocktail shaker. Place the tequila, Cointreau and lime juice in a cocktail shaker and add 4 ice cubes. Shake it until the drink is cold.
Strain into a glass. Strain the drink into a glass. If serving on the rocks, add clear ice. The margarita is often served in a lowball or Old Fashioned glass, but a curved margarita glass works too.
Variation: margarita pitcher
Want to serve this margarita recipe for a crowd? The best way to make multiple margaritas at once is to make a pitcher. The margarita pitcher makes for 8 servings and you don’t need to shake up each drink separately, which is time consuming. Stir ice right into the pitcher to chill and dilute the drink. Here’s what to do:
Place 1 ½ cups tequila, 1 cup Cointreau or Triple Sec, and ¾ cup fresh lime juice in a pitcher.
Add 3 handfuls ice and stir until cold.
Pour into the prepared glasses.
Best tequila for margaritas
Many experts say tequila blanco is best for margaritas. Tequila blanco (or “new” tequila) has been aged less than 2 months and has that classic tequila burn. But tequila reposado adds an intriguing depth of flavor. Here are a few tips for picking the best tequila for margaritas:
Rule of thumb: any mid-priced tequila tastes great in a margarita. Look for 750 ml bottles in the range of $22 to $35. Anything cheaper isn’t worth buying.
Tequila reposado (aged) makes a smooth, sophisticated margarita. Tequila reposado is aged 2 to 12 months in oak barrels (reposado means “rested” in Spanish). It has a smooth flavor and notes of oak, vanilla, and caramel. Some brands we like include Casamigos, Milagro Reposado, and Suerte Reposado.
Tequila blanco is also ideal for margaritas. It has a straightforward agave-centric flavor and spicy finish. Some brands we recommend are Espolon Blanco, El Tesoro Blanco, Patrón Silver, and Casamigos.
The best way to make a margarita on the rocks? Use clear ice. Clear ice is artisanal ice that is crystal clear and can be cut into beautiful organic shapes. It’s the best way to take a cocktail from good to glamorous!
You can make your own clear ice at home: all you need is a small cooler or clear ice tray. Make up a batch 1 day in advance: go to How to Make Clear Ice for details!
Popular margarita recipes
There are many variations on the classic margarita! While the classic remains our favorite, there are lots of great ways to mix up the formula. Here are a few more variations to try:
Frozen: The Frozen Margarita blends these ingredients with ice for a frosty spin
Cut a notch in a lime wedge, then run the lime around the rim of a glass. Dip the edge of the rim into a plate of salt.
Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with 4 ice cubes and shake until cold.
Strain the margarita into the glass with the salted rim. Fill the glass with ice and serve.
For a margarita pitcher (8 servings): Place 1 ½ cups tequila, 1 cup Cointreau or Triple Sec, and ¾ cup lime juice in a pitcher. Add 3 handfuls ice and stir until cold. Pour into the prepared glasses.
Category:Cocktail
Method:Shaken
Cuisine:Cocktail
Diet:Vegan
Keywords: Margarita, margarita recipe, margarita ingredients, how to make a margarita
Cointreau: Margaritas and cosmopolitans wouldn’t be the same without it. But what exactly is this aromatic, transparent liqueur—and how does it vary from similar products, like triple sec and Grand Marnier?
While triple sec is a generic term used to d…
Cointreau: Margaritas and cosmopolitans wouldn’t be the same without it. But what exactly is this aromatic, transparent liqueur—and how does it vary from similar products, like triple sec and Grand Marnier?
While triple sec is a generic term used to describe any orange-flavored liqueur, Cointreau refers to a specific brand of especially high-quality triple sec that’s particularly strong—40 percent alcohol by volume, to be exact. Grand Marnier, meanwhile, is also a specific brand of orange liqueur, but it consists of triple sec blended with cognac, which gives it an amber color.
In the summer, the best bar setups have two things in common: mobility and ice. Whether you’re trekking out onto your fire escape for a night of rat-watching or meandering along some faraway coastline, the best summer cocktail moments are on the go. In…
In the summer, the best bar setups have two things in common: mobility and ice. Whether you’re trekking out onto your fire escape for a night of rat-watching or meandering along some faraway coastline, the best summer cocktail moments are on the go. In these instances, it helps to bring your bar with you. For me, that means bringing a fully prepped cooler—complete with ice, drinks, openers, and cups—along for any summertime journey, even if it’s just crawling through my apartment window.
Of course, everyone drinks through summer a bit differently. With that in mind, we asked our editors which drinks they’ll be sipping this season and what equipment they’ll be using along the way.
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