Perk up this winter with a seasonal citrus cocktail and sip on this blood orange mojito! Featuring the winter's most-beloved citrus, this freshly squeezed blood orange mojito is the perfect refresher when you’re over the chilly months. With just one sip, this vibrant, effervescent mojito will transport you to warm patio days.
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Why You Need to Make This Recipe
I can admit it: I always get into a bit of a funk during the winter. What is this time? The cheery holidays have left us, it's too cold for patios, and the lack of sunshine is unacceptable.
This will not do. I need something a little brighter to get me through these cold months until the warm spring days return. Fortunately, winter citrus in cocktail form is just the ticket.
Just like my blood orange gin fizz and Cara Cara margarita, this blood orange mojito gives us the perfect winter refresher.
Bonus: If you love this mojito, make sure you try my strawberry mojito, mango mojito, raspberry mojito and coconut-watermelon mojito.
Ingredients
Before we start mixing, let's gather our ingredients. Here's everything we need to make this citrusy mojito.
- White rum: This is the classic mojito liquor.
- Fresh blood orange juice: After all, this is a blood orange cocktail.
- Lime wedges: For that classic mojito citrus kick.
- Fresh mint: It's not a mojito without fresh mint.
- Blood orange simple syrup: I like the extra boost of flavor the blood orange syrup adds, but you're welcome to use an unflavored simple syrup if you want to keep it as low key as possible.
- Club soda: To give us the perfect bubbly kick.
How to Make Blood Orange Simple Syrup
To get the most citrusy mojito, I like to make a blood orange simple syrup using fresh zest. If you've frequented my cocktail recipes, you know how much I love a flavored simple syrup, like one you find in my sage-fig cocktail, strawberry-basil Tom Collins and plum-thyme margarita, so this should come as no surprise. I just adore the flavor boost and unique twist a customized simple syrup gives a cocktail.
We make our fancy simple syrup by bringing water, sugar and fresh blood orange zest to a low boil, giving it a stir every so often. Once the sugar dissolves, we turn off the heat, allow the mixture to steep and strain. Just like that, we have our simple syrup.
Step-by-Step Instructions
And now to make our mojito. Grab a cocktail shaker, add some lime wedges with a handful of mint and the simple syrup and start muddling. This ensures we get that sweet minty flavor.
From here, we add our freshly squeezed blood orange juice, white rum and ice. We pop on the top, give it a good shake and strain into ice-filled glasses. After topping with club soda, we give it a gentle stir.
At this point, you might think we're ready to sip, but we have one more step. We take a large sprig of mint, place it in our palm and then quickly clap our other hand on top. That mint is now our garnish. By clapping our mint, we release its fragrance to make for the most delightful drinking experience.
And now you may sip away and pretend you're on a warm, sun-filled patio. Sigh.
Perfect Pairing
I have no doubt you'll love my slow-roasted blood orange salmon with this mojito. Of course, we have the mimicking blood orange flavor, but the fresh mint with the cilantro and ginger from the salmon also match beautifully. Blood oranges only last for a limited time, so we might as well take advantage of this favorite winter citrus while we can.
When you need a bright cocktail to get you through those dark winter months, I hope you try this blood orange mojito. After one sip, those winter blues are sure to wash away.
Cheers!
Looking for More Citrusy Cocktails?
- Blood orange margarita
- Rosemary-blood orange gin and tonic
- Triple citrus tequila smash
- Rosemary-grapefruit vodka spritzer
- Grapefruit gin mule
If you love this recipe, please leave a comment with a five-star rating — or simply hit the five-star button in the recipe card. Don't forget to sign up for my newsletter, and you can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and TikTok.
📖 Recipe
Blood Orange Mojito
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
- Citrus juicer
- Muddler
- Jigger or small measuring cup
Ingredients
Blood Orange Simple Syrup
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup white sugar
- Zest from a blood orange
Blood Orange Mojito
- 8-10 fresh mint leaves1 lime
- 1 lime cut into wedges
- 1 ounce blood orange simple syrup (see note)
- 1 blood orange juiced
- 2 ounces white rum
- Ice
- Club soda chilled, for topping
- Mint sprig for garnish
- Blood orange slices for garnish
Instructions
Blood Orange Simple Syrup
- Add water, sugar and blood orange zest to a small saucepan. Over medium-high heat, bring to a low boil, stirring every so often to help dissolve the sugar. Once the sugar dissolves, turn off the heat and allow the syrup to steep for about 15 minutes. Strain and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This can be done a couple weeks ahead of time.
Blood Orange Mojito
- In a cocktail shaker, add the mint leaves, lime wedges and blood orange simple syrup. Muddle to release the lime juice and fragrant oil from the mint. Add the blood orange juice and white rum to the cocktail shaker with a handful of ice. Pop on the top and shake vigorously for 15-30 seconds.
- Strain into ice-filled glasses. Top with a splash of club soda and gently stir to combine. Take a large fresh mint sprig and place in the palm of your hand. Clap your other hand on top of the mint. This releases the mint's fragrance. Place fragrant mint sprig in glass and garnish with additional blood orange slices if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
- The blood orange syrup adds an extra punch of blood orange flavor, but you can also use unflavored simple syrup if you prefer.
- For a pitcher serving eight, use eight mint sprigs, eight limes, eight blood oranges, 2 cups rum, 1 cup blood orange simple syrup and 1 cup club soda.
- Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Sara says
Blood oranges are one my absolute favorite citruses to use in cocktails, and your cocktail is to die for! I love the blood orange syrup, and the other flavors are so bright and delicious. Thank you so much for sharing!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
So glad to hear that -- cheers!
Jessica (swanky recipes) says
I went to Mexico a few months back and I had my FIRST mojito and it was really really good. I've ordered them here and there a few times while out with friends but I haven't found one I like. I can't wait to try this in a few weeks when friends are coming to town for Mardi Gras, esp with blood oranges!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
I hope this is the mojito for you!
Charity Beth Long says
You are speaking my language! This is the perfect way to make winter feel like summer!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Anything to get me through these cold months! ?
Sophie says
This looks so so refreshing and good. Perfect for a small gathering. Thanks for the recipe.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
You're so welcome!
Tara says
Pretty drink color and perfect for Valentine's Day! You don't see blood orange drinks often, but they taste delicious.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Thanks, Tara! It would be great for that!
Mikayla says
My friends and I just started doing a 'brunch party' thing (rather than dinner parties) and this was a really fun alternative to a mimosa. I love using blood oranges when they're available, thanks for the delicious recipe!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
That sounds so fun! I'll have to plan a day to do that. Hope you all love it!
Uma Srinivas says
Looks so refreshing and beautifully pictured! I love to try this soon before the season ends.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Thank you! I hope you do just that.
Veena Azmanov says
Presentation awesome Great combination and color too. My party drink is ready.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Sounds like a good time!
Kushigalu says
How gorgeous and pretty is this drink. Would love to try this soon.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Thank you! I hope you do.