Mojitos are a classic Cuban highball drink made with rum, lime, sugar, mint and soda water. They have a refreshing, citrusy flavor profile that makes them a popular cocktail in the summertime. But what foods pair well with mojitos? Here are some of the best options for dishes and snacks to enjoy alongside this tangy, minty cocktail.
Seafood
Mojitos can pair wonderfully with seafood dishes. The lime juice and mint flavors complement shellfish like shrimp, lobster and crab. Try pairing a mojito with ceviche, shrimp cocktails or grilled fish tacos for a tastebud pleasing combination. The acidity of the lime cuts through the briny flavor of seafood in an appetizing way.
For example, a mojito would pair nicely with a Louie-style seafood salad made with shrimp, crab and avocado. The fresh mintiness of the mojito balances out the richness of the seafood and creamy avocado. A mojito is also a great match for steamed mussels or clams mariniere, as the tomato broth and herbs in the broth echo the mojito’s vibrant flavors.
Why it works
The citrus and herbaceous notes of the mojito work well with seafood because they help cut through the richness while complementing the briny, aquatic flavors. The effervescence of the soda water in the cocktail also helps cleanse the palate.
Latin Food
Given its Cuban origins, it’s no surprise that mojitos pair excellently with Latin American cuisine. The bright mint, lime and rum flavors complement Latin dishes like ceviche, empanadas, tacos al pastor and churrasco perfectly. A mojito is a traditional partner for Cuban sandovers like ropa vieja as the acidic rum drink cuts through the rich, meaty flavors.
Some great Latin food pairings for mojitos include:
- Ceviche with lime, onion and cilantro
- Shrimp fajitas with grilled peppers and onions
- Carnitas or al pastor tacos
- Chimichurri skirt steak
- Loaded nachos with cheese, beans, salsa and guacamole
The tanginess of the lime, brightness of the mint and subtle sweetness complement the vibrant spices and flavors of Latin American cooking.
Why it works
Latin food often relies on acidity from citrus, fresh herb accents and spice blends that include cumin, oregano, chili powder and garlic. The mojito contains lime juice, mint and rum that has been infused with spices during the distilling process. These complementary layers of bright, spicy and herbaceous flavors are what make mojitos and Latin food such a perfect match.
Fried Foods
The crisp, refreshing flavors of a mojito can cut through and balance salty, rich fried foods quite well. Try pairing mojitos with fried seafood like calamari, fish tacos or shrimp po’ boys. The mint and lime work nicely with chicken wings, chicken tenders or potato skins topped with cheese, bacon and sour cream. Even fried snack foods like chips, popcorn chicken or french fries pair well when you have a mojito in hand to sip on.
Some tasty fried food options to enjoy with a mojito include:
- Fried calamari with marinara sauce
- Chicken wings with creamy ranch or blue cheese dressing
- Crispy fish street tacos with cabbage and cilantro
- Cheese quesadillas with guacamole
- Fried plantain chips with mango salsa
The acidity in the mojito cuts through the oil and fat to refresh your palate after biting into something deep fried and flavorful.
Why it works
The crisp effervescence and acids from the lime, mint and soda water help cleanse the palate of greasiness. The herbaceous mint also serves as a palate cleanser between bites of fried foods with complex sauces and seasonings. So each sip of the mojito prepares your tastebuds for the next tasty bite!
Spicy Foods
Mojitos can tame the heat and enhance the flavor of spicy foods like Mexican, Indian, Thai and Szechuan cuisines. A cold, sweet and minty mojito balances out fiery foods featuring chili peppers, curry, sambal or sriracha sauce.
Some spicy dishes that mojitos can handle include:
- Chicken tikka masala
- Beef or lamb curry
- Mapo tofu
- Green chicken curry
- Sushi with wasabi
- Buffalo wings
The sugar and soda water soothes your tastebuds after intense heat while the mint cools your palate. The lime juice cuts through the richness of oily curry dishes or buffalo sauce.
Why it works
Mojitos contain sugar which helps temper the heat from spicy peppers and sauces. The mint offers a cooling, numbing sensation to soothe any burn. The citrus cuts through oil and dairy in curries. And the effervescence washes away some heat. All these elements together make mojitos an excellent pairing for spicy cuisines.
Bar Food
Since mojitos have a versatile flavor profile, they pair well with many typical bar food items. Their clean, refreshing taste complements fried and saucy appetizers. The lime juice cuts through richness while the fizz cleanses the palate. Try pairing a mojito with nachos, sliders, wings, fries, onion rings, jalapeno poppers, stuffed potato skins and other game day or happy hour nibbles.
Some perfect bar food pairings for mojitos include:
- Nachos with cheese sauce, salsa, beans and guacamole
- Mini burgers or bacon cheeseburgers
- Deep fried pickles with ranch dressing
- Chicken satay skewers with peanut dipping sauce
- Crispy fried calamari with marinara
The minty effervescence cuts through salty and fatty flavors commonly found in bar snacks and appetizers.
Why it works
Bar food is designed to pair well with cocktails and beers. The salty, fatty flavors pair nicely with drinks that feature some sweetness. Mojitos offer sweetness from sugar that balances greasy nachos or fried items. The carbonation also cleanses the palate in preparation for the next bite. And the refreshing mint, lime and herbs lift and enhance the bar food flavors.
Desserts
While mojitos work well with savory foods, they can also pair nicely with certain desserts. The sweetness and acidity help cut through richness without overpowering dessert flavors. Some desserts that work well with mojitos are:
- Key lime pie
- Lemon bars or lemon cake
- Fruit tarts with berries or mango
- Coconut cake or pina colada cake
- Ginger molasses cookies
- Macarons
- Pavlova with whipped cream and fruit
The citrusy mojito cuts through sweetness while echoing fruit flavors like berry, lemon and lime.
Why it works
Desserts need an element of acidity and subtle herbal flavors to keep the sweetness in check. A mojito provides this balance with its lime, mint and bitters. The acid cuts through sugar and frosting while the mint cools off and refreshes your palate between each bite. This prevents the dessert from becoming too cloying. The bubbles also help cleanse your palate for the next taste. Just avoid very chocolate-heavy or intensely sweet desserts, as the mojito gets overpowered.
Cheeses
The fresh squeeze of lime juice in a mojito helps cut through the richness of heavy, soft cheeses. Mint complements and enhances herby and tangy cheese flavors. Some great mojito and cheese pairings include:
- Goat cheese
- Feta
- Burrata
- Mozzarella
- Haloumi
- Queso fresco
- Cream cheese
- Ricotta
Try the mojito with a cheese board, cheese straws, stuffed cheese olives or halloumi fries.
Why it works
The refreshing lime lifts and balances ultra rich, creamy cheeses without overpowering. It cuts through the fatty acids. The mint interacts nicely with soft, bright cheeses like goat and feta. When cheeses get too salty, the sugar in the mojito balances it out. Acidic, effervescent drinks help cleanse the fatty coating cheese can leave behind on your palate.
Pizza
A mojito may seem like an unlikely pairing for pizza at first. But upon closer inspection, it makes perfect sense. The tomato sauce, chewy dough and salty cheese match nicely with the mint, citrus and fizz of a mojito. The mojito cleanses your palate after each bite of slice.
Some great pizza styles to enjoy with a mojito include:
- Margherita
- Cheese
- Pepperoni
- Hawaiian with ham and pineapple
- Veggie with mushrooms, peppers and onions
- White pizza with ricotta and garlic
Feel free to experiment with your favorite funky pizza flavor combos too!
Why it works
Pizza often has acidic tomatoes, herby components like basil and oregano, spice from pepper flakes and vegetable toppings that contain moisture – all elements that echo what’s in a mojito. The minty cocktail cuts through the cheeses and fatty toppings. And it refreshes your palate before the next cheesy, delicious bite.
Sushi
A mojito pairs surprisingly well with many styles of sushi. The lime juice and mint complement the rice, seaweed and fish. A mojito is great with raw and cooked rolls featuring shrimp, crab and avocado particularly. The bubbles and acid also help cleanse the palate after bites with creamy sauce or spicy wasabi.
Some sushi options that match nicely with a mojito include:
- California roll with crab and avocado
- Shrimp tempura roll
- Spicy tuna roll
- Vegetable roll with cucumber, carrot and avocado
- salmon nigiri or sashimi
- Seaweed salad
- Edamame
The mojito brings out the subtle flavors of the fish and complements the rice and seaweed.
Why it works
Sushi and mojitos share complementary flavors like lime, seafood sweetness, rice notes and seaweed umami. The acidity cuts through avocado richness and cleanses the palate after bites with creamy sauce. Mint and lime lift the fish flavors. Bubbles scrub the tongue of any lingering soy, wasabi or roe flavors. The mojito works with raw and vegetable-based rolls.
Conclusion
In summary, there are many savory and sweet options for food pairings with a refreshing mojito. Seafood, Latin food, fried food, spicy food, bar snacks, cheese, pizza and sushi all complement a mojito’s minty, citrusy, sweet profile. Desserts like key lime pie, lemon bars and fruit tarts also work nicely. A mojito offers acidity to cut through rich and fatty foods, mint to cleanse the palate, and bubbly effervescence to prepare you for the next bite. So don’t be afraid to get creative and try out a mojito with various cuisines and dishes.
