Mojito Diablo, More Than Mint, Lime And Rum

The Mojito Diablo mixes tequila with creme de cassis, mint, lime, brown sugar and 7-Up. The resulting taste is a mint-lime-berry fusion with an underlying richness from the brown sugar.

This drink is a great alternative to the traditional Mojito. The mint and lime of a Mojito can be a sharp contrast, and the touch of cassis and brown sugar brings it all together deliciously.

This drink is sweeter than the Mojito because it has creme de cassis and 7-up in it as well as brown sugar. If it’s a little too sweet for your preferences, you could leave out the brown sugar. Or you could use Diet 7-Up.

That way, you preserve the molasses flavor of the brown sugar in the drink. You could also use any lemon flavored sparkling water instead of the soda – I like LaCroix Lemon, although some people prefer Lemon Perrier.

What’s Great About It

The Mojito Diablo is a great summer twist for anyone who likes the clean, minty feel of a Mojito but wants something a little richer and fruitier. Swapping rum for tequila gives the drink a brighter, more herbaceous base. Then the creme de cassis adds a dark berry note.

It’s also a good tequila cocktail for people who don’t usually reach for tequila. The lime, mint, brown sugar, and soda soften the tequila without hiding it completely.

Making Adjustments

Another nice thing is how easy it is to adjust. Want it lighter? Use more soda. Want it stronger? Use less. Want it less sweet? Skip the brown sugar or use sparkling water instead of 7-Up.

It’s flexible, which makes it a solid choice for parties where everyone has slightly different tastes.

A Note on Muddling

You muddle the mint leaves with brown sugar and lime in this one. Remember, the longer you spend muddling, the more mint flavor you’ll get.

Be sure to put enough pressure on the leaves, too. And if you couldn’t buy fresh mint and had to settle for packaged, check out my tip for reviving tired-looking mint leaves so they look good enough for a cocktail garnish. It’s very simple, quick and easy.

Pro Tips

Limes. Use fresh lime juice. Bottled lime juice tastes flat in a drink like this, where lime is one of the main flavors. Two lime wedges should give enough juice, but limes vary. If yours are dry, use an extra wedge.

Muddle with care. The goal is to bruise the mint leaves enough to release their oils, not shred them into tiny pieces. Overworked mint can taste bitter and leave bits floating through the drink. Press the leaves with the lime juice and sugar, then twist a few times until the glass smells minty.

Add the soda slowly. Once the shaken tequila and cassis go into the glass, top with 7-Up and give the drink a gentle stir. A hard stir will knock out the bubbles.

Taste before serving if you’re making one for yourself. If it’s too sweet, squeeze in a little more lime. If it’s too tart, add a splash more soda. If the mint is too quiet, clap the garnish leaves between your hands before adding them. That releases the aroma without needing more muddling.

Use plenty of ice. This drink tastes best very cold. A tall glass packed with ice also keeps the soda from tasting flat and warm too quickly.

If you’re making several, muddle each drink separately for the freshest flavor. You can measure the tequila and cassis ahead of time, but mint is best handled right before serving.

When to Serve

The Mojito Diablo is a natural warm-weather drink. It’s great for cookouts, patio nights, pool parties, and casual dinners with spicy food. The mint and lime make it refreshing, while the cassis gives it enough personality to stand out.

It pairs well with tacos, grilled chicken, shrimp, chips and salsa, and fresh summer salads. It’s also nice with salty snacks because the sweetness balances the salt. Try it with tortilla chips, guacamole, or roasted nuts.

This is also a good cocktail for Halloween or fall parties because of the name and the deep red berry color. It’s not a heavy cold-weather drink, but the tequila and brown sugar give it just enough warmth to work outside summer.

For brunch, make it lighter with sparkling water instead of 7-Up. That version is crisp, bubbly, and not too sugary.

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