A fun twist on the classic rum-based cocktail, mojito, made with strawberries and black pepper along with the classic ingredients – mint, lime and rum. Garnished with heart-shaped strawberry slices, this gorgeous cocktail with shades of red, pink and green colors is the most perfect cocktail to celebrate Valentine’s Day or the Holidays!
I’ve crafted a delightful cocktail for Valentine’s Day: Strawberry Peppercorn Mojito. This is a playful twist on the classic and refreshingly delicious mojito, achieved by muddling a couple of unique ingredients – fresh strawberries and a few grinds of black pepper (yes, black pepper!). These join the usual suspects: mint leaves, lime/lemon wedges, simple syrup, and, of course, rum, which you can totally skip for a non alcoholic version. The black pepper used in my recipe hails from Tellicherry, Kerala, this giving the classic mojito an Indian touch!
Addition of Black Pepper
I was inspired by one of my own signature concoctions: strawberry jam that I made with thyme and peppercorns to add black peppercorns to spice up my strawberry mojito. Black pepper goes very well with the sweet-tart flavor of strawberries, and I love the subtle hint of spiciness and warmth the pepper adds to the mojito, taking it to a whole new level.Trust me, you’re going to love it, just like everyone on thevirtual GOTR Bay Area cooking class did!
Perfect Cocktail for Valentine’s Day or the Holidays!
This berrylicious version of the refreshing mojito is also topped with plenty of crushed ice and finished off with a splash of club soda, just like the classic one. Garnished with heart-shaped strawberry slices, this stunning mint-lime cocktail, adorned with shades of red and pink, is the perfect libation to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your loved one or Galentine’s Day with your girlfriends! The combination of the red skin of the strawberries and the green of the mint leaves and lime also makes it a great cocktail to spread holiday cheer!
Do give it a try and experience the delightful combination of flavors for yourself…I’ve linked a short video below that I put together for you that you can follow and easily whip up this signature concoction in your own kitchen.
3–4 strawberries, hulled and sliced, reserve 2-3 slices for garnish
1–2 whole black peppercorns or 1–2 grinds using a pepper grinder
1–2 oz of blue agave or simple syrup (see Notes)
2 oz white / light rum (skip for non alcoholic version)
crushed ice, as needed
tonic water or club soda
2–3 mint sprigs, for garnish
Equipment
Drink muddler
Cocktail jigger or US 1/4 cup measure
Instructions
Add mint leaves, lime wedges and strawberry slices to a highball glass. Add the whole black peppercorns or grind using a pepper grinder.
Pour in the blue agave or simple syrup, followed by the rum and using the muddler, muddle the ingredients to release the flavors from mint, lime and strawberries.
Fill the glass with crushed ice almost all the way, leaving a little room at the top. Top it with tonic water or club soda.
Using a spoon, swizzle to combine everything.
Garnish with sliced strawberries, a lime wedge and mint sprigs.
Simple syrup is available in liquor stores or can be made by cooking equal parts sugar and water until the mixture is slightly thickened. Let it cool completely before using in the cocktail recipe.
Other Syrup Options
Alternatively, you can also use honey or maple syrup in place of blue agave or simple syrup.
Recipe Variations
Substitute strawberries with raspberries and black peppercorns with green cardamom seeds for another fun and unique twist on the classic mojito.
Hi I’m Vasanti
…and I ❤️cooking ‘n clicking!!
I share a modern take on Indian cuisine made using nontraditional techniques and ingredients, while staying true to its authenticity. You’ll also find classic recipes from my beloved Maharashtrian culture and heritage.
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