Strawberry Mojito Mocktail with Basil and Mint
This strawberry mojito is bursting with muddled fresh strawberries, cool mint and aromatic basil and it’s ready in about 5 minutes. Make it as a refreshing strawberry mocktail with Ritual Zero Proof Rum or swap in real rum for a classic strawberry mojito cocktail. Either way, it’s naturally low in sugar and keto-friendly at only 3g net carbs.
What sets this strawberry basil mocktail apart from every other mojito recipe? The basil. Most strawberry mojito recipes stop at mint, but adding fresh basil introduces a warm, slightly peppery aroma that makes this drink taste like something from a craft cocktail bar, not a basic mixed drink.
If you’re looking for more keto cocktails and mocktails, we have plenty! But this strawberry mojito is one of our most requested, so let’s get into it.
Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Mojito
This isn’t your average strawberry mocktail recipe. Here’s what makes it worth adding to your regular rotation:
Basil is the secret ingredient. While nearly every strawberry mojito recipe out there relies on mint alone, the basil in this version adds an herby, almost anise-like layer that pairs beautifully with the berries. It’s the kind of unexpected detail that makes people ask what’s in the glass.
It’s genuinely low carb. At 5g total carbs and only 3g net carbs per serving, this strawberry mocktail fits comfortably into a keto lifestyle. No juice, no soda, no simple syrup. Just real ingredients and sparkling water.
Cocktail or mocktail, your call. This recipe works perfectly with non-alcoholic rum or traditional white rum, so everyone at the table gets exactly what they want from the same base recipe.
Five minutes, start to finish. Muddle, stir, pour, done. No blender, no cooking, no simple syrup to prepare ahead of time.
Strawberry Mojito Ingredients
One of the best things about this strawberry mojito is how simple the ingredient list is. Here’s what you need and why each one matters.
Fresh strawberries (5 medium): These are the sweet foundation of the entire drink. Choose ripe, in-season berries when you can. They’re naturally sweeter and more aromatic, which means no added sweetener necessary. Out of season? Frozen strawberries that have been fully thawed work well too.
Fresh mint leaves (4 leaves): Mint is what makes a mojito a mojito. It delivers that bright, cooling flavor you expect. Always use fresh. Dried mint turns bitter in cold drinks and won’t release its essential oils properly when muddled.
Fresh basil leaves (4 leaves, plus extra for garnish): This is the twist that makes this strawberry basil mocktail unique. Smacking the basil between your palms before adding it releases the aromatic oils without shredding the leaves, keeping the drink from turning bitter. Garden-fresh basil is even more aromatic if you have it.
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Non-alcoholic rum or real rum (2 ounces): Ritual Zero Proof Rum mimics the warmth and subtle sweetness of real rum with virtually zero carbs, sugar, or calories. For a traditional strawberry mojito cocktail, use white rum instead. You can also skip the spirit entirely. The drink is delicious with just the fruit, herbs, and sparkling water.
Sparkling water: This provides the fizz and keeps the drink light. Plain unflavored sparkling water lets the fruit and herbs shine. Avoid tonic water (it contains sugar) unless carbs aren’t a concern for you.
How to Make This Strawberry Mojito
This strawberry mojito comes together fast, but a little technique goes a long way toward getting the best flavor.
Muddle the strawberries and mint. Place the strawberries and mint in a large, sturdy glass. Press down firmly with a muddler or the back of a wooden spoon, twisting as you go. You want the berries broken down enough to release their juice and the mint bruised enough to release its oils, but don’t pulverize the mint into tiny bits, which can make the drink taste grassy.
Add the rum and stir. Pour in your non-alcoholic rum (or real rum) and stir to combine everything with the muddled fruit and herbs.
Smack and add the basil. Take your basil leaves and clap them firmly between your palms once or twice. You’ll immediately smell the oils being released. Drop them into the rum mixture and stir gently.
Pour over crushed ice. Fill a cocktail glass with crushed ice, then pour the strawberry-herb mixture over the top.
Top with sparkling water and serve. Fill the rest of the glass with sparkling water and give one final gentle stir. Garnish with a fresh basil leaf or a strawberry half on the rim.
Most of the carbs in this strawberry mocktail come from the strawberries themselves. To reduce carbs further, use only 3 strawberries or skip the Ritual rum (which adds about 2g carbs per serving to mimic the sweetness of real rum).
How to Make a Pitcher of Strawberry Mojitos
Hosting a summer party, cookout, or holiday gathering? This strawberry mojito scales easily to a full pitcher for a crowd.
For 8 servings, multiply everything by 8: about 40 strawberries (roughly 2 pints), 32 mint leaves, 32 basil leaves, 16 ounces of rum or Ritual, and 1 liter of sparkling water.
Muddle the strawberries and mint directly in a large pitcher, then add the rum and stir. When you’re ready to serve, smack the basil leaves, drop them in, add ice to individual glasses, pour the strawberry mixture two-thirds full, and top each glass with sparkling water.
Pro tip: You can make the muddled strawberry-mint-rum base up to 4 hours ahead and keep it refrigerated. Add the basil and sparkling water right before serving so everything stays fresh and fizzy.
Tips for the Best Strawberry Mojito
Use crushed ice, not cubed. Crushed ice chills the drink faster and gives that classic mojito texture. No crushed ice setting on your fridge? Place regular cubes in a zip-lock bag and tap gently with a rolling pin.
Skip the lime juice in this version. A lime wheel makes a nice garnish, but the strawberry-basil combination doesn’t need extra acidity. It’s already perfectly balanced. If you want a more traditional mojito profile with lime, swap out the basil and add the juice of half a lime instead.
Adjust sweetness with the strawberries. If your berries aren’t very sweet, add 2-3 extra. The beauty of this recipe is that no added sweetener is needed when the fruit is ripe and in season.
Garnish intentionally. A single basil leaf and a strawberry half on the rim transforms this from a drink into a moment. It’s the kind of detail that makes guests reach for their phones.
Strawberry Mojito Variations
This strawberry mojito is a wonderful base recipe. Small changes can take it in completely new directions.
Strawberry lemon mocktail: Replace the basil with fresh lemon zest and a squeeze of lemon juice for a brighter, more citrus-forward drink. Especially refreshing on really hot days.
Strawberry fizz mocktail: Skip the mint and basil entirely, muddle the strawberries with a teaspoon of fresh lemon juice, add rum, and top with extra sparkling water for a simple strawberry spritzer.
Strawberry cucumber mocktail: Add 3-4 thin slices of English cucumber during the muddling step. The cucumber brings a cool, spa-like quality that’s perfect for afternoon sipping.
Frozen strawberry mojito: Blend all the ingredients (minus the sparkling water) with a cup of ice until smooth, then pour into a glass and top with a splash of sparkling water. This makes a great slushy-style drink for pool parties.
Storing and Make-Ahead Tips
Fresh is best. Like all sparkling drinks, this strawberry mojito tastes best right after making it, while the fizz is lively.
The muddled base keeps for 24 hours. The strawberry-mint-rum mixture (without sparkling water or basil) can be refrigerated in a sealed container for up to a day. Pour over ice and top with fresh sparkling water and basil when ready to serve.
Don’t freeze the finished drink. Sparkling water goes flat and the texture changes. If you’re prepping for a party, make the base ahead and add the fizz at serving time.
More Keto Mocktail and Cocktail Ideas
All of the cocktail recipes on HealNourishGrow.com can easily be made into mocktails by using non-alcoholic spirits like Ritual. One of the most popular is the Coconut Lime Martini Mocktail. You can find all of our keto cocktail and mocktail recipes here.
If you’re looking for more low carb drink ideas to keep things interesting on your keto journey, here are a few to try: a cucumber lime cooler with sparkling water and a touch of sweetener, a raspberry lemonade slushie blended with ice and sugar substitute, a watermelon mint spritzer with pureed watermelon and soda water or a peach iced tea made with unsweetened black tea and peach-flavored keto syrup.
strawberry mojito frequently asked questions
What is a strawberry mojito?
A strawberry mojito is a twist on the classic Cuban mojito that adds fresh muddled strawberries to the traditional mix of mint, rum, and sparkling water. This version uses basil instead of lime for a more complex flavor. It can be made as a cocktail with real rum or as a non-alcoholic strawberry mocktail.
Is this strawberry mocktail keto-friendly?
Yes. This recipe has only 5g total carbs and 3g net carbs per serving, which fits comfortably within standard keto macros. Most of the carbs come from the strawberries. To reduce further, use fewer strawberries or skip the Ritual rum (which adds about 2g carbs per serving).
Can I make this into an alcoholic strawberry mojito?
Absolutely. Replace the Ritual Zero Proof Rum with 2 ounces of white rum and you’ll have a proper strawberry mojito cocktail. Everything else stays exactly the same.
Why add basil to a strawberry mojito?
Basil adds a warm, slightly peppery aroma that pairs beautifully with strawberries. It creates a more complex flavor profile than mint alone, which is the same reason strawberry-basil is such a popular combination in craft cocktail bars and restaurants.
How many calories are in a strawberry mocktail?
This recipe has approximately 20 calories per serving when made with Ritual Zero Proof Rum, and even fewer without it. That’s a fraction of what you’d get from most commercial mocktail mixes or sugar-laden mojito recipes.
Can kids drink this strawberry mojito mocktail?
When made without any rum (regular or non-alcoholic), this is completely kid-friendly. It’s just fresh fruit, herbs, and sparkling water.
What’s the difference between a mocktail and a virgin cocktail?
They’re the same thing. Both terms describe a drink made to look and taste like a cocktail but without alcohol. Mocktail has become the more commonly used term.
Strawberry Mojito Mocktail with Strawberries and Basil
Ingredients
- 5 medium strawberries
- 4 leaves mint
- 4 leaves basil, plus extra for garnish
- 2 ounces Ritual Zero Proof Rum, or traditional rum
- sparkling water
Instructions
- In a large glass, place the strawberries and mint and muddle.
- Pour in the rum and stir.
- Smack basil leaves to release the oils, place in the rum mixture and stir.
- Into a cocktail glass with crushed ice, pour in the rum mixture.
- Top the mocktail with sparkling water and give a final stir.
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves, if desired.
Video
Equipment
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