Mojito, Mojito or Mojito?

I've had quite a few Mojitos lately. Partly because it's summer and the heat calls for a refreshing fruity and minty drink and partly because I have been comparing Mojito mixes to the traditional, handmade cocktail. My initial thoughts were that the pre-mixed Mojitos were going to be insufficient, which they are (you cannot beat fresh mint and lime), but I have to say they are pretty good and better than most ready to drinks.

My rum was 10 Cane, which I used to make a "real" Mojito and I have to say it's one of the best I've had yet and recommend the rum for this cocktail to everyone. In this drink you get the sweetness of rum, a hint of lime and the flavor of mint throughout.

With that same rum I also made a Mojito with Stirrings non-alcoholic mix. This drink was sweet with a nice, luscious lime and a bit of mint in the finish but is very thick and syrupy.

The other contestant was Bacardi Mojito, a new ready to drink bottling that puts the rum into the Mojito mix. I found I liked this as much as the stirrings but the two have distinct differences. The Bacardi is lighter with a heavier bitter-sweet lime, yet not as syrupy. The mint was too late and faint for me here though.

Conclusion: Cocktails are always a matter of taste and I can see many people enjoying the ease and flavor of the bottled mixes, however the real Mojito is the best. Don't forget some club soda, it lightens up some of that sweetness of the mixes.