Independence Day Mojito

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 02/5/23
Independence Day Mojito

The Spruce / Madhumita Sathishkumar
Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
477 Calories
2g Fat
96g Carbs
7g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 477
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 2g 2%
Saturated Fat 0g 1%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 14mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 96g 35%
Dietary Fiber 6g 20%
Total Sugars 78g
Protein 7g
Vitamin C 101mg 506%
Calcium 97mg 7%
Iron 3mg 17%
Potassium 1332mg 28%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

It may not be the simplest of mojito recipes, but when you add fresh watermelon and raspberries, it's hard to resist. The Independence Day mojito is a great recipe for summer and absolutely perfect for your 4th of July celebration.

A fun recipe for Shellback Rum, this is a fruity variation on the mojito that plays up the best fruits of the summer season. The fruits are muddled along with the mint to extract their sweet juices, which intermingle nicely with the crisp, refreshing herb. The remainder of the cocktail is exactly as it is in the original: rum, lime, syrup, and soda. While it's unique, it's not that different and is sure to offer a taste everyone will enjoy.

Ingredients

  • 10 fresh mint leaves

  • 6 fresh raspberries

  • 3 fresh watermelon cubes

  • 1 1/2 ounces light rum

  • 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice

  • 1/2 ounce simple syrup

  • 1 1/2 ounces club soda

  • Fresh mint sprig, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Independence Day Mojito ingredients

    The Spruce / Madhumita Sathishkumar

  2. In a cocktail shaker, add mint leaves, raspberries, and watermelon. Muddle well.

    mint leaves, raspberries, and watermelon muddled in a cocktail shaker

    The Spruce / Madhumita Sathishkumar

  3. Add rum, lime juice, and simple syrup, and fill shaker with ice.

    rum, lime juice, and simple syrup added to the mixture in the cocktail shaker

    The Spruce / Madhumita Sathishkumar

  4. Shake vigorously.

    shake a cocktail shaker

    The Spruce / Madhumita Sathishkumar

  5. Strain into highball glass over fresh ice.

    Strain cocktail into a highball glass over fresh ice

    The Spruce / Madhumita Sathishkumar

  6. Top with soda.

    mojito topped with soda in a glass

    The Spruce / Madhumita Sathishkumar

  7. Garnish with a sprig of mint.

    Independence Day Mojito in a glass

    The Spruce / Madhumita Sathishkumar

Tips

  • To get the most flavor out of your mint, slap the leaves between your palms or tear them slightly before muddling.
  • Frozen raspberries will work if the fresh fruit is not available—1/4 cup will do. Be sure to let them thaw a little so they can be mashed.
  • With the abundance of fresh fruits, this mojito will be best with fresh lime juice as well. You should be able to squeeze half a lime directly into the shaker to get the 1/2 ounce needed for the recipe.

Recipe Variations

  • Pouring an aged or spiced rum will create more of a flavor foundation that can be quite nice.
  • Use any other lightly flavored soda as an alternative to club soda. Citrus sodas and ginger ales will result in a sweeter drink that's equally refreshing. You could even use a slightly flavored sparkling water, such as La Croix, playing up the fruits if you prefer.
  • Switch to other seasonal fruits if you like. Use blueberries or strawberries, or go with other melons like cantaloupe or honeydew.

How Strong Is an Independence Day Mojito?

Shellback Silver is an 80-proof rum, and since it's the only liquor, this mojito is going to be a relatively light drink. Though it will vary based on the amount of juice your fruits yield and how much soda you actually pour, its alcohol content will be in the 10 percent ABV (20 proof) range. That's equivalent to the average wine, but this cocktail is a lot more interesting.