The Dirty Mojito rebuilds the drink with aged rum and demerara or raw cane sugar in place of white rum and plain syrup. It is the same mint-and-lime refresher, but darker — richer, with a molasses depth beneath the brightness.
The Mojito, with a little more shadow in it.
Why 'Dirty'
The name has nothing to do with the briny Dirty Martini. Here, 'dirty' refers to colour and depth — the drink is darkened and deepened by aged rum and unrefined sugar, where the classic Mojito is pale and clean.
Demerara Does the Work
Demerara or raw cane sugar carries a faint molasses flavour that plain white sugar lacks. Paired with an aged rum's oak and caramel, it gives the Dirty Mojito a warmth that the original, for all its charm, never reaches for.
Keep the Mint Bright
The base goes darker, but the mint should not. Press it gently and use plenty of it — its fresh, green lift is what keeps the Dirty Mojito a Mojito rather than a tall, watered rum drink.
The Mojito Family
The classic — white rum, lime, sugar, and muddled mint, lengthened with soda over ice.
- 2 ozWhite rum
- 1 ozLime juice
- 1/2 ozSimple syrup
The Mojito with muddled strawberries — fruit-sweet and summer-pink.
- 2 ozWhite rum
- 1 ozLime juice
- 3Strawberries
The Mojito's gin cousin — lime, mint, and sugar shaken and served up.
- 2 ozGin
- 1 ozLime juice
- 3/4 ozSimple syrup