TL;DR
When to Drink a Classic Mojito Mocktail
–New Year’s
-Chinese New Year
-St. Patrick’s Day
The Functional Benefit of this Classic Mojito Mocktail
–Kidney Health
The Magickal Intent of this Classic Mojito Mocktail
–Good Luck
The History Behind the Classic Mojito Cocktail
As with many classic cocktails, there’s some debate as to the origin of the Mojito. We do know it was born in Havana, Cuba, and the most popular story suggests that Sir Francis Drake combined Aguardiente (an early form of rum made from the sugared byproducts of winemaking, vegetable macerations, or both), mint leaves, lime and sugar, to attempt to create a cure for scurvy. Many regard “El Draque,” the Mojito’s alleged original name, as the first-ever cocktail in the history of mixology.
Another legend says that South American Indians traveled to Cuba to find herbs and spices for medical potions and invented the Mojito while they were there. Others suggest that it was the brainchild of Cuban slaves. None of these stories have any supporting evidence, however.
It’s safe to say the Mojito is one of the most painful recipes to make and one of the most delicious to drink, so whoever invented it was never tasked with serving it to hundreds of thirsty drunks. Not to worry though; we’ll teach you a time-saving trick that makes this mojito mocktail a cinch to prepare for a crowd.
What Makes this Classic Mojito Mocktail “Functional?”
Our spin on this classic mojito mocktail—AKA fauxjito—replaces the rum with coconut water. Rum is distilled from sugar cane, so we knew we needed a substitute with a hint of sweetness. Coconut water fits the bill perfectly. For those who don’t like coconut, this might be a deal breaker (see our recommended substitutions below), but for everyone else, you’re about to be introduced to nature’s Gatorade. And it’s healthy, to boot.
The health benefits begin with mint, which is rich in vitamin A and antioxidants and may improve irritable bowel syndrome and relieve indigestion. Studies also show that inhaling the aroma may have several benefits, such as improved memory, decreased anxiety and relief of cold symptoms. Some women even report that the application of peppermint water to the skin decreases breastfeeding symptoms.
Next up is coconut water—the liquid found in young coconuts (not to be confused with coconut milk)—a veritable nutrient powerhouse. Research shows that coconut water contains antioxidants that may help modify free radicals (unstable molecules produced in your cells that cause oxidative stress, which can increase disease risk) so that they no longer cause harm. Other studies suggest that coconut water, and specifically the magnesium it contains, may improve blood sugar control for people with diabetes.
Drinking coconut water may also help reduce heart disease and lower blood pressure. And we weren’t kidding about it being effective at replenishing electrolytes lost during exercise, like a healthy version of Gatorade. This study found that coconut water improved exercise capacity better than water or a sports drink on a very hot day.
The magickal combo in this recipe, however, is the coconut water and lime in tandem. While it’s known that drinking plenty of fluids is important for kidney stone prevention, studies suggest that coconut water might be better than water. It has been shown to reduce the number of crystals (that lead to kidney stones) and to prevent those crystals from sticking to the kidneys and other parts of the urinary tract.
Add to this the fact that citrus fruits like limes are high in citric acid, which may prevent kidney stones by raising citrate levels and binding stone-forming minerals in the urine. Click the following link to learn more about the health benefits of lime.
*Disclaimer: If you have chronic kidney disease, the nutrients in coconut water may do more harm than good. Speak to your healthcare provider to determine if you should be limiting your potassium and sodium intake, in which case, please avoid this mocktail.
Classic Mojito Mocktail’s Magickal Correspondence
Coconut is used for purification and protection rituals. Cut one in half, drain it (and use the water in this recipe, if you wish), then fill it with protective herbs like rosemary, pepper and sage. Seal it shut again and bury it near your home. Consume the flesh or drink coconut milk to increase fertility and love. According to Cunningham’s Wicca in the Kitchen, consuming coconut while visualizing your desired outcome will bring good luck. Furthermore, the subtle sweet flavor of coconut water ensures a sweet outcome for any magickal workings.
Mint is very versatile magickally, and is often used in spells for money, lust, healing, travel, protection and psychic ability. It also attracts luck and good fortune. Fresh mint laid on your altar will call good spirits to aid you in your magick. The scent of mint promotes energy and clarity. Given that it’s a kind of a catch-all, it works wonders in this general spell for good luck, because it very likely has properties that will enhance whatever it is that you are calling in good luck for.
If you’re hoping to get lucky at the Casino, for example, place a few mint leaves in your wallet. Want to get lucky in love? Weave mint sprigs into a floral crown at Beltane. Are you about to take a trip and want to have luck on your side? Place a few leaves inside a charm bag along with a protective crystal and carry it with you on your journey.
Lime has abundant metaphysical properties too, but specific to this recipe is its ability to remove bad luck, ills and hexes. It basically acts like a magickal insurance policy. And while this spell is designed to bring you general good luck to benefit any circumstances, you can always up the magickal ante by muddling fruits into your fauxjito that correspond to your specific intention. Need a boost of luck in your romantic life? Muddle strawberries into your mojito mocktail. Is your luck spell specifically intended to draw in more money? Pineapple and mint make a delicious and powerfully effective potion.
How to Use This Fauxjito Recipe in Your Magickal Practice
Gather the ingredients for your mocktail. Hold your hands over them and say the following words:
God and Goddess, Spirits and Guides.
Thank you for all that I have.
I ask you now for (whatever it is you want)
Aid me as I work to achieve it
Please bring it to me when the time is right.
As you mix your mocktail, adding ingredients, pulverizing them with the muddler, visualize the energy of good fortune that each ingredient brings to this luck potion. Imagine your beverage lighting up with the color of good luck and getting brighter with the addition of each item.
When you have added all the ingredients, stir your mocktail with a spoon or a metal straw deosil, or clockwise, which is the direction of attraction, to draw things toward you. While you stir, envision drawing all the luck energy in your orbit into the tiny whirlpool you’re creating in your glass, adding a final burst of brilliant light to your spell.
Raise your glass to your lips, and visualize drinking in this vibrant light and powerful luck energy. As your cells become charged with this brilliant glowing light, picture achieving the goal for which you require luck. Imagine how you will feel when you obtain that outcome. What will your life be like now that you have this thing you’re calling in luck for? What will you be doing? How will you be dressed? Who will be with you, cheering you on? Really immerse yourself in the feeling as you slowly sip your beverage. Get excited. Give yourself the chills.
Stay with your intention until you’ve consumed the very last drop. As you take the final sip, release the light inside of you to the universe. You can picture beaming it straight up to the heavens in one powerful burst, if you like. I tend to imagine it slowly drifting away from me, particle by particle, like dissipating glitter. You might experience a tingling sensation in your hands as the energy transitions; you can give them a gentle shake to clear them.
To finish the ritual, say:
My intention has been stated. My new reality, thus created.
Repeat as needed until you’ve manifested your desire.
So mote it be.
Classic Mojito Mocktail
Equipment
Ingredients
Drink Base
- 1 ½ ounces coconut water, very cold (purification, fertility, luck)
Mixers
- ½ ounce (1 tbsp) lime juice from approx ½ lime (healing, love, protection)
- 1 tbsp cane sugar, organic (love, a sweet outcome)
- 5 mint leaves (sex, purification, luck)
- seltzer to top
Garnish
- Mint sprigs
- Lime wheel
Instructions
- Gently muddle five mint leaves, the sugar, the lime juice and a few pieces of expressed lime. The goal is not to pulverize the leaves into tiny bits; instead, gently bruise them to release their essence.
- Fill the glass halfway with ice, then add the coconut water.
- Stir clockwise for about 30 seconds to fully combine and dissolve the sugar. Alternatively, you can dump the contents into a shaker and give it a good shake.
- Add ice to the top, then fill the rest of the way with seltzer.
- Garnish with a wheel of lime and a sprig of mint.
Video
Notes
Substitutions
Don’t like coconut water? Just make this recipe using two white tea bags steeped for 5 minutes in 3/4 cup of water. Add a handful of mint to infuse during the cooling process for extra minty, lucky oomph. Cool for 30 minutes before using. That’s enough base for two mocktails. Want to use an NA rum? I haven’t found a great one yet, but if you have, write to me and let me know about it! Use 1 ½ oz of NA rum per mocktail. Prefer a different sweetener? See The Ultimate Guide to Mocktail (and Cocktail) Substitutions. Want to make these for a crowd? DO NOT make these individually for party guests—your party will be ZERO fun for you. Instead, make a mint simple syrup by mixing equal parts water and cane sugar, heating it until the sugar dissolves and then dropping in a bunch of fresh mint and letting the mixture steep for at least 15 minutes. Pre-squeeze your limes (or buy cold-pressed lime juice at the store) and make your batch cocktail in the following ratio: 1 part sweet (mint simple syrup)1 part sour (lime juice)
3 parts alcohol substitute (coconut water or mint-infused tea) Put this trio in a large pitcher with a spigot. That way, each drink can be “made to order” by filling an ice-filled glass from the spigot and topping it with a splash of seltzer and a wedge of lime. Muuuuch easier. You can thank me later.
