mojito: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, Social, Culinary, Commercial
Quick answer
What does “mojito” mean?
A traditional Cuban cocktail made with white rum, sugar (or simple syrup), lime juice, soda water, and mint.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A traditional Cuban cocktail made with white rum, sugar (or simple syrup), lime juice, soda water, and mint.
A popular type of mixed drink that has become a cultural symbol of leisure, warm climates, and social drinking; can also refer to non-alcoholic variations.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical; the drink's name is a direct borrowing from Spanish. Pronunciation differs slightly.
Connotations
Both associate it with summer, holidays, and bars/restaurants.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties, given the global popularity of the cocktail.
Grammar
How to Use “mojito” in a Sentence
[Subject] ordered/drank/made/sipped a mojito.[Prepositional Phrase] with extra mint.[Modifier] mojito, such as a strawberry one.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in hospitality, tourism, and food & beverage marketing (e.g., 'Our new summer menu features a premium mojito.').
Academic
Rare, except in specific contexts like cultural studies, culinary history, or tourism research.
Everyday
Common in social planning, restaurant visits, and casual conversation about drinks (e.g., 'Let's get mojitos on the terrace.').
Technical
Used in bartending/mixology to specify a cocktail recipe and preparation method.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mojito”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mojito”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mojito”
- Mispronunciation (e.g., /ˈmɒdʒɪtoʊ/).
- Incorrect plural (mojitos, not *mojitoes).
- Using it as a countable noun for the ingredients ('a mint' is wrong; 'some mint for the mojito' is correct).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a traditional Cuban cocktail, with its origins often traced to Havana.
Yes, a 'virgin' or 'mocktail' mojito omits the rum and is just as refreshing.
In American English, it's /moʊˈhiːtoʊ/ (mow-HEE-toh). In British English, it's often /mə(ʊ)ˈhiːtəʊ/ (muh-HEE-toh).
No, it is almost exclusively a noun referring to the drink. Its use in other parts of speech is extremely rare and non-standard.
A traditional Cuban cocktail made with white rum, sugar (or simple syrup), lime juice, soda water, and mint.
Mojito is usually informal, social, culinary, commercial in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to the word 'mojito'.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'MOre rum, please! I'm on a tropical Holiday TO get a Mojito.'
Conceptual Metaphor
LEISURE/RELAXATION IS A MOJITO (e.g., 'This vacation is just one long mojito.').
Practice
Quiz
What is a mojito?