My Bar Bible / Cocktails / Mojito vs Mint Julep

Mojito vs Mint Julep

What is the difference between a Mojito and a Mint Julep? Here are both recipes side by side, with exact measures, and what actually sets them apart.

The difference

• Both use mint leaves and sugar.
• Only the Mojito has lime juice, white rum and soda water.
• Only the Mint Julep has water and bourbon.
• The Mojito goes in a highball, the Mint Julep in a rocks glass.
• The Mint Julep is the stronger drink: about 31% against about 11% once diluted.

Mojito

Mint leaves	6 leaves
Sugar	2 teaspoons
Lime juice	30 ml
White rum	45 ml
Soda water	top up, about 60 ml

Muddled · Highball · about 11% · about 140 calories

Havana’s highball, descended from an older rum drink called El Draque and made famous by bars such as La Bodeguita del Medio.

Mojito recipe

Mint Julep

Mint leaves	4 sprigs
Sugar	1 teaspoon
Water	2 teaspoons
Bourbon	60 ml

Muddled · Rocks glass · about 31% · about 170 calories

The official drink of the Kentucky Derby since 1939, served in a frosted silver cup.

Mint Julep recipe