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Nerdy Science in the Kitchen

The Best Muddler for Making Mojitos

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With the right muddler, you can make the perfect mojito every time!
With the right muddler, you can make the perfect mojito every time! The Hiware Stainless Muddler at Amazon.

The mojito – a beautiful concoction of mint, sugar, lime, and rum. Like many cocktails, the true origin of the mojito has been largely disputed, although Havana, Cuba is largely recognized as its birthplace. It is well known that mojitos were a favorite drink of Ernest Hemingway. In one of his regular spots, he wrote on the wall “Mi mojito en La Bodeguita, mi daiquiri in El Floridita,” making the bar famous.

No time to muddle through? I like the Hiware Stainless Muddler from Amazon.

The mojito made a big come back in the early 2000s as it appeared in a prominent seduction scene in a James Bond movie Die Another Day.

Best Muddler for Making MojitosWhy We Like It
1. HIC Wooden Muddler basic, simple, solid, inexpensive
2. Winco Polycarbonate Netted Head Muddler easily sanitized plastic
3. Top Shelf Plastic Muddler perfect for making bar-worthy mojitos
4. Hiware Stainless Steel Cocktail Muddler sanitary stainless steel
5. Solid Cherry Cocktail Muddler good for muddling mint and mashing fruit, herbs, and spices
6. Stainless Cocktail Muddler & Grooved Nylon Head durable, sturdy, rust-proof

Making the mojito

While there are several variations of this classic cocktail, a common version is as follows:

  • Highball glass
  • 4 wedges of limes
  • 2 tablespoons of sugar
  • 12-15 mint leaves
  • 1 ½ ounces white Rum
  • Soda Water
  • Ice

Muddling the details

Now, the preparation of the mojito is strongly disputed. Some say the mint should be muddled, others insist it is only ‘slapped’ to bring out only the essence of the mint. Some argue that muddling the mint shred the leaves and releases the bitter chlorophyll that resides in the veins.

Whichever your preference, you will still need a muddler in the preparation of the mojito. If you prefer to not muddle your mint, simply muddle the limes and sugar, add the rum, ice, slap your mint and top it off with soda water.

You want a muddler that has not been varnished or lacquered. Varnish and lacquer eventually wear off, and you can guess there it goes. In the drink! Unvarnished wood is a good option for muddling mint.

Plastic muddlers and stainless steel muddlers with a hard-rubber muddling base are fine as well. If the muddler has teeth on one end, avoid using this side for muddling mint as it shreds the leaf and creates an unpleasant flavor and texture in the mojito. The toothed end should be reserved to muddling fruits and other herbs.

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Clearing up the muddling

Given the nature of the ingredients in the mojito, the following products are some of the best options for making this famous classic cocktail. Do you like to make margaritas too? Find some awesome home machines here.

Make all kinds of cocktails with the tools listed below.
Make all kinds of cocktails with the tools listed below.

HIC Wooden Muddler

HIC Harold Import Co. 21000 Mojito Muddler, FSC-Certified Beechwood

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The HIC Wooden Muddler is your basic option. It is simple, solid and well made. The textured end is ideal for crushing firmer fruits, and the solid end you can gently muddle mint. The muddler is not lacquered which is preferred when muddling drinks.

This muddler is good for bar and restaurant use as it is an economic option and easily replaceable. It is better to hand wash and keep in mind that wooden tools are harder to keep sanitized.

It is mostly used for crushing fruits, spices, and herbs to add a delicious aroma to your cocktail. It has a textured head that extracts juice from firmer fruits such as cherries and citrus thus producing flavors and fragrance from aromatic spices.

In preventing bitter tastes in mint leaves and herbs, it’s vital to muddle with a smooth end to release their essential oils without tearing them apart. HIC wooden muddlers are eco-friendly since they have a vanish-free coating which ensures that the unwanted tastes and chemicals are not infused into your drink.

Winco Polycarbonate Netted Head Muddler

Winco Netted Head Muddler, Polycarbonate


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Winco Polycarbonate Netted Head Muddler is another basic, durable option. It is black and made of plastic and slightly more aesthetically appealing the wooden version. In a home bar, this is a perfect option for making mojitos. Again, avoid using the toothed-end for muddling mint.

The advantage to this muddler, as well as the basic wooden one, is there is only one piece. There are not multiple pieces with seams where particles can get stuck and create unsanitary conditions. The plastic muddler is easier to sanitize than the wooden version.

Winco polycarbonate netted head muddler releases the flavor of fresh herbs like mint in the beverages which is served in most bars and hotels.

Featuring a netted base, Winco polycarbonate netted head muddlers perfectly extract flavors and scents from the ingredients giving your guest a unique and exceptional tasting beverage.

Top Shelf Plastic Muddler

Cocktail Muddler - Dishwasher Safe, Ergonomic Drink Muddler for Home bars and Professional Bartenders (Black, Plastic) - A Bar Above

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The Top Shelf Muddler offers the same advantages as the Winco, but the flat head is slightly less obtrusive when crushing. For strict mojitos, this may be preferable. If you want a more versatile muddler, it is better to choose one with teeth on one end.

Plastic head muddler helps in making popular drinks such as mojitos, sangrias and old fashioneds. It has a smooth head that is ideal for grinding and crushing different fruits and herbs. It is made of plastic thus ensuring a long lifespan.

Hiware Stainless Steel Cocktail Muddler

Hiware 10 Inch Stainless Steel Cocktail Muddler and Mixing Spoon Home Bar Tool Set - Create Delicious Mojitos and Other Fruit Based Drinks

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Hiware offers the Stainless Steel Cocktail Muddler. Its functions are similar to the others but the stainless steel body gives an extra touch of a professional appearance.

Stainless steel is always a more sanitary option than wood. The ergonomic design of the muddler lets you work with ease and comfort, important if you are throwing a mojito party. Any bartender can tell you, making ten mojitos in a row can cause cramps in your hands. This is a quality product at a fair price.

The Blueskybos stainless steel cocktail muddler is mainly used in bar tools collection. The product is a professional quality herb and fruit muddler constructed from FDA-certified food safe materials. It has a stainless steel shaft that can easily muddle any mix of ingredients.

It has a plastic head that serves as an excellent striking surface which crushes ingredients thus releasing flavor into the glass. The dishwasher-safe design ensures easy cleaning and the tool is crafted to last a lifetime.

Solid Cherry Cocktail Muddler

Crate Collective Pakkawood Muddler - Sharp Teeth Great for Mashing Fruits, Herbs, and Spices - Beautiful Exotic Wood, Durable Earth Friendly Material

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It is a quality solid wood cherry. If you want to step your game, then you have come to the right place. The solid cherry muddler is used in making of smooth, efficient, and tasty caipirinhas and muddle mojitos. A bartender should have a solid cherry cocktail muddler because it’s an essential tool in mashing herbs, spice, and fruits to produce rapid flavors.

It is thick, several pounds heavy and its ready to crush your mint. It has a large surface area that allows comfortable pressing without the use of excessive force to prevent tearing of your herbs and leaving floating particles in your cocktail.

Stainless Cocktail Muddler & Grooved Nylon Head

Professional Drink Muddler - Ideal Bartender Tool for Old Fashioned & Mojitos by BARVIVO - Muddle & Mix the Perfect Cocktail Right at Home Using This 8in. Stainless Steel Pestle w/Grooved Nylon Head

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The Stainless cocktail muddler & Grooved Nylon Head are constructed from a stainless steel material which is durable, sturdy and does not rust. Its head is made of nylon which forms an ideal surface of mashing the herbs, spices, and fruits.

It is an essential tool in bar accessories because it can be used in smashing different fruits and natural mint for making cocktails. It is easy to clean, and its compact size ensures that it takes a little space.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to make a mojito without muddling?

When the herb is crushed, it releases some juice or flavor. You can make a mojito by gently grinding the mint with your hands and integrate it with some ice and soda. There are several ways you make a mojito without muddling. However, to make a classic tasty mojito, you require muddling. You need to gently crush the mixture of sugar, mint, and lime together. Otherwise, you won’t produce the delicious flavor of mojito. The process of muddling releases the oil in the lime so you can enjoy the flavor altogether. If you don’t have a muddler you can contact us, we have the best available muddlers. In our stock, we have stainless-steel, wooden and rubber muddlers that do not wear and tear easily.

What is the difference between a mojito and a mocktail?

The word mocktail was derived from the term ‘mock’ meaning to mimic or imitate. Therefore, the word mocktail refers to any mixed drink that doesn’t have alcohol. Mocktail is extracted from sugar, honey, juice, herbs or soda. It is also referred to as virgin cocktail since it doesn’t have alcohol in it. Lately, people are mixing alcohol with a mojito, hence producing two terms for that mojito, i.e., alcohol mojito and virgin mojito.

Can I use wooden muddlers for smashing baby food?

The HIC wooden muddlers can be used to perform various tasks. Apart from crushing spices and herbs, you can also use it to smash food. Our wooden muddlers have varnish-free coating ensuring that no chemicals will be infused in your food. Also, we have strong wooden muddlers with hard base hence ensuring that you crush your food to the required texture. Besides, our wooden muddlers are made from the beech-wood which is an FSC certified meaning it has a smooth finish which cannot scratch surfaces.

What is the lifespan of a stainless steel cocktail muddler? Is it easy-to-use?

The Hiware Stainless Steel Cocktail Muddler is a perfect collection that you require in your bar tools. It is a professional herb muddler made from certified-safe food materials. Its stainless steel shaft enables you to maneuver and grip any mixture of ingredients to required perfection. It has a plastic head that acts as an excellent surface to mash your ingredients and produce their flavor. It is easy-to-use, and its compact size ensures that you can store it anywhere easily. The stainless steel cover ensures that it does not break easily thus having a long lifespan. It comes with 100% satisfaction guarantee allowing you to return it for replacement if it doesn’t improve the quality of your cocktail.

What is the best recipe for making a perfect mojito?

I would recommend mojito made from white rum, lime juice, mint leaves, and a solution of white sugar. Gently press the leaves of the mint using the muddler at the bottom of the mixing cup. Add the ingredients and crush the mixture with some ice cubes, then transfer it into a bigger glass and fill it with a more crushed ice cube. Decorate your glass with a few sprigs of mint. You can also add guava puree or fresh mango instead of syrup. With that, your mojito is ready.

Mojitos made easy

Making mojitos does not have to be as complicated as it looks, you just need the right tools to work with. Whatever your preference for a recipe and preparation, the proper muddler is necessary to make this delicious cocktail.

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Image credit via Flickr Creative Commons: esimpraim and nadja r.

Kitchen Professor author
About the Author: David McLemore

David learned to cook at an early age after his mother told him that he couldn't live on pizza forever, Dave uses his modest kitchen skills to recreate sorely-missed recipes from home and to occasionally make new favorite ones from places he is visiting.

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