Sparkling Cava Mojito

You know those periods in your life where things are pretty sucky and - for reasons totally beyond your control - they're going to be sucky forever, so you just have to get over it and move on? Well, you know how sometimes when you gradually learn to accept it, life comes along and makes everything even crappier? Well today is one of those days.

And those days call for cocktails. Big cocktails. Full of sparkling wine and spirits. I know it's unusual, but I always make my mojitos with Sprite or 7Up instead of soda water. I just find them too bitter with regular fizzy water. So it only seemed a matter of time before I made the transition from Sprite to cava. Prosecco is a tad on the savoury side for me (does anyone describe wine as savoury?) so I switched it out for the sweeter cava which I absolutely adore.

I'm pretty sure you could use sparkling wine, cava, prosecco or champagne in this cocktail and it would still taste delicious. Ooh! Whilst we're on the subject, do you know the difference between sparkling wine, cava, prosecco and champagne? Here are the differences in my personal opinion and experience:

Sparkling wine: available in sweet and dry varieties with a very subtle flavour and few bubbles. ($)

Cava: available in sweet and dry varieties with a moderate flavour and moderate amount of bubbles. ($$)

Prosecco: available in sweet and dry varieties with a subtle flavour and lots of bubbles. ($$$)

Champagne: usually on the dry side with moderate flavour and lots of bubbles. ($$$$)

I'm sure the characteristics change according to brand and what not, but the above aspects are what I think of when I think of those alcoholic drinks. Mind you, I tried Moet Chandon champagne for the first time earlier this year and thought it was dreadful, so what do I know?

Cava is enough on it's own to get me giggly, so this stuff is really potent. Even though it's got a fair amount of alcohol in it, the zesty limes and fragrant mint leaves make it super refreshing so you can easily sip this by the pool, at the beach or in your back garden whilst throwing a BBQ party.

Whether you're making up for a crappy day or are celebrating a wonderful summer, this cocktail should definitely happen at your house this weekend.

📖 Recipe

Sparkling Cava Mojito

Print Pin Rate

Servings: 1 large jug

Ingredients

• 2 limes
• 20 leaves mint
• ice
• 1 bottle cava
• ¼ cup white rum

Instructions

• Chop the limes into quarters and place them in a serving jug along with the mint leaves and the ice.
• Use a muddler (or a spoon) to crush the limes, mint and ice together to release the flavours.
• Pour in the cava and white rum.
• Stir and serve.