A light and refreshing ‘sort of’ mojito: Raspberry Vodka Mojito
This Raspberry Vodka Mojito is a light, summery cocktail that swaps vodka for rum but keeps the fresh mint, bright lime, and juicy berries that make a mojito so refreshing. It’s easy to make and perfect for warm afternoons—just a favorite mixer, fresh fruit, a touch of sugar, and sparkling water.
Some purists might quibble with the name since there’s no rum, but the spirit of a mojito—mint, citrus, sweetness and bubbles—remains intact. I tried a few playful names, but Raspberry Vodka Mojito says exactly what’s in the glass without overcomplicating things.
The inspiration for this version came from a bottle of raspberry-flavored vodka, which blends naturally with the fresh fruit and herbs. The vodka’s berry notes enhance the raspberries and keep the drink bright and aromatic.
I keep a mint plant in my garden year-round. To prevent mint from taking over, I grow it in a large container buried in the ground. That way the plant thrives but runners can’t colonize the rest of the garden. Fresh mint from the garden makes all the difference in cocktails like this.
Mint is one of my favorite cocktail ingredients—first for mint juleps, now for mojitos. Even without alcohol, a combination of lime, mint, simple syrup, and sparkling water is incredibly refreshing. Add raspberries for color and flavor, then a splash of raspberry vodka to elevate it into a cocktail.
Flavored vodkas vary widely, and the better ones use natural ingredients so the fruit character comes through without an artificial edge. A quality raspberry vodka pairs wonderfully with fresh raspberries and lime, and the bottle can even be a pretty addition to your bar.
Mojitos begin by muddling—the process of gently crushing mint leaves and fruit to release oils and juice. If you don’t have a muddler, the back of a spoon or the handle of a wooden spoon works fine. Here, raspberries are muddled with mint and a bit of simple syrup, then vodka is added. The glass is layered with ice and lime slices, then finished with lime sparkling water or club soda for fizz.
While raspberries are my go-to here, the mojito template is ideal for seasonal fruit. Strawberries, blackberries, or sliced peaches also work beautifully. The result is cool, pretty, and delicious—ideal for lazy summer afternoons.
PIN IT! ‘Raspberry Vodka Mojito Cocktail’
Raspberry Vodka Mojito
Barb
Pin Recipe
10 minutes
10 minutes
1 Cocktail
364 kcal
Ingredients
- 4 large fresh mint leaves
- 6-8 fresh raspberries
- 4 slices lime
- 4 tablespoons simple syrup (adjust to taste) Make simple syrup by bringing equal parts water and sugar to a boil until sugar dissolves; cool before using.
- 2 ounces raspberry vodka
- 6-8 ounces lime sparkling water or club soda
- Mint sprig and extra raspberries for garnish
Instructions
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In a tall Collins glass, muddle the mint leaves, raspberries, one lime slice, and simple syrup until the ingredients release their aromas and juices.
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Add the raspberry vodka and stir to combine.
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Fill the glass about one-third with ice, squeeze a lime slice over the glass and drop it in. Continue layering ice and lime until the glass is full.
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Top with lime sparkling water or club soda and gently stir to combine.
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Garnish with extra raspberries and a sprig of fresh mint. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
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