Do They Put Sugar in Mojitos? The Sweet Truth About This Classic Cocktail

December 28, 2025 •

4 min read

According to nutrition data, a classic 240ml mojito can contain up to 26 grams of sugar. This often-overlooked ingredient is a cornerstone of the Cuban classic, leading many to ask: do they put sugar in mojitos? The answer is a resounding yes, and understanding why can help you perfect this refreshing drink.

Quick Summary

Yes, mojitos traditionally include sugar or simple syrup to balance the lime's acidity. This article details the classic recipe, explores low-sugar options, and compares sweetener types.

Key Points

Essential Ingredient: A classic mojito recipe definitely includes sugar or simple syrup to achieve its balanced flavor profile.
Balancing Act: The sugar is critical for balancing the intense acidity of the lime juice.
Traditional vs. Modern: While traditional recipes use granulated cane sugar, many bars use simple syrup for faster dissolving.
Low-Sugar Alternatives: Options like stevia, monk fruit, agave, or honey can be used to create a delicious, lower-calorie version.
Ingredient Quality: For the best results, use fresh mint and freshly squeezed lime juice, regardless of your chosen sweetener.

The Role of Sugar in a Classic Mojito

The sugar in a mojito is not merely for sweetness; it serves a crucial function in balancing the drink's flavor profile. The standard recipe for a mojito is a simple combination of rum, sugar, lime juice, mint, and soda water. Without the sugar, the drink would be overwhelmingly sour and acidic from the lime juice. The sugar rounds out the sharp citrus notes and works with the mint and rum to create a perfectly balanced and refreshing taste.

Granulated Sugar vs. Simple Syrup

The type of sweetener used is a point of distinction for mixologists. While simple syrup is popular in bars for its convenience and ability to blend seamlessly into cold drinks, traditional Cuban recipes often call for granulated white cane sugar.

Granulated Sugar

Method: Added directly to the glass with the mint and lime wedges. The act of muddling crushes the sugar granules, releasing the mint's essential oils and the lime's juice.
Result: Creates a signature texture, with occasional undissolved sugar crystals adding to the authentic Cuban experience.

Simple Syrup

Method: A solution of sugar and water, pre-dissolved to ensure smooth incorporation into the cocktail.
Result: Provides a consistently smooth sweetness without any grittiness.

The History of the Sweetness

To understand the mojito's ingredients is to understand its Cuban origins. The drink's history dates back to the 16th century and is tied to Sir Francis Drake and a precursor cocktail called "El Draque". This medicinal concoction was made with crude rum (aguardiente de caña), lime, mint, and sugarcane juice to prevent scurvy. Over time, as ingredients became more refined and widely available, the basic components of the El Draque evolved into the mojito we know today. The original use of sugarcane juice explains why a cane-based sweetener is the most traditional choice.

How to Make a Classic Sugared Mojito

Creating an authentic, perfectly balanced mojito is a straightforward process when you follow the right steps. This recipe uses granulated sugar for a traditional touch.

Classic Mojito Ingredients:

2 oz white rum
1 oz fresh lime juice
2 tsp white cane sugar
6-8 fresh mint leaves
Soda water, to top
Crushed ice
Lime wedge and mint sprig for garnish

Instructions:

In a tall glass, add the mint leaves, sugar, and lime juice.
Gently muddle the ingredients to release the mint oils and dissolve the sugar. Avoid over-muddling to prevent the mint from becoming bitter.
Add the white rum to the glass.
Fill the glass with crushed ice.
Top with soda water.
Stir gently with a bar spoon to combine the ingredients.
Garnish with a fresh lime wedge and a mint sprig.

Health-Conscious Mojito Variations

For those who enjoy the flavor of a mojito but prefer to reduce or eliminate added sugar, several excellent alternatives are available. These variations allow you to control the sweetness and caloric content without sacrificing the refreshing taste.

Low-Sugar Sweetener Options:

Stevia or Monk Fruit: These natural, zero-calorie sweeteners can be used to create a simple syrup. Just be mindful of their intense sweetness.
Agave Nectar: A natural sweetener from the agave plant, it has a lower glycemic index and is very sweet, so a little goes a long way.
Honey: Provides a different flavor profile, adding more complexity than simple syrup. It can be thinned with hot water to create a honey simple syrup.
Diet Soda: Replacing club soda with a diet lemon-lime soda can eliminate the need for extra sweetener altogether, though it will alter the flavor.

Classic Mojito vs. Low-Sugar Mojito


Feature	Classic Mojito	Low-Sugar Mojito
Sweetener	Granulated white cane sugar or simple syrup	Sugar-free simple syrup (stevia, monk fruit), agave nectar, or honey
Flavor Profile	Perfectly balanced sweet, sour, and herbaceous notes.	Custom-controlled sweetness, can have different flavor nuances based on the sweetener used.
Texture	Can have a slightly gritty texture from undissolved sugar if not made with syrup.	Consistently smooth with no texture from sugar.
Caloric Impact	Higher calorie count due to sugar content (~170-245 calories per serving).	Significantly reduced calorie count, depending on the sweetener.
Dissolving	Can require more stirring to dissolve fully in the cold liquid.	Syrups mix easily and instantly.

Conclusion

So, do they put sugar in mojitos? Yes, they absolutely do, and it's an essential part of what makes the drink a timeless classic. The sugar's role is to perfectly counter the tang of the lime, creating the signature refreshing taste. However, modern variations and a wider range of sweeteners mean you can easily customize a mojito to your personal preferences and health needs. Whether you prefer the rustic tradition of granulated cane sugar or a guilt-free zero-calorie option, the basic, brilliant combination of mint, lime, and rum remains. A Bar Above: The Classic Mojito Recipe is a reliable resource for learning more about traditional bartending techniques.

Frequently Asked Questions

For a classic, authentic texture, use granulated white cane sugar. However, simple syrup is often preferred for a smoother cocktail because it dissolves easily into cold drinks.

No. Simple syrup is a liquid made from dissolving sugar in water, whereas granulated sugar is in its crystalline form. Simple syrup blends more easily, while granulated sugar, when muddled, can add a slight texture to the drink.

To reduce sugar, you can simply add less simple syrup, use a zero-calorie sweetener like stevia or monk fruit, or substitute diet lemon-lime soda for the club soda and sugar.

A mojito can become too sweet if you use too much simple syrup or granulated sugar. To fix it, you can add a little extra lime juice or top it off with more club soda to balance the flavors.

The origin dates back to 16th-century Cuba, where a primitive version called 'El Draque' used sugarcane juice. Over time, this evolved into the modern mojito using sugar, which helps to cut the harshness of the rum and the bitterness of the lime.

The caloric content varies, but a standard 240ml mojito can have between 170 and 245 calories, with around 26 grams of sugar.

Yes, you can use honey as a natural sweetener alternative. For best results, create a honey simple syrup by mixing equal parts honey and hot water to ensure it dissolves smoothly.