William and I went to a holiday party where the host served these white Christmas mojito creamy, minty, festive cocktails that looked like liquid snow in a glass. They were so popular the host ran out within an hour, and William managed to get two before they disappeared. “This is incredible,” he said, examining the creamy white drink. “It’s like a regular mojito but Christmassy and creamy. We need to figure this out.” That casual observation sent us on a mission to recreate what became our signature holiday drink.
Why You’ll Love This White Christmas Mojito
This White Christmas Mojito ingredients list solves that eternal holiday problem of wanting festive drinks that look impressive, taste amazing, and can be scaled for crowds without complicated mixing. Most impressive cocktails require individual preparation, precise measurements, or ingredients you can’t pronounce. This coconut lime mojito is literally muddling mint and lime, adding rum and coconut milk, topping with soda William can make a single cocktail in 3 minutes or a pitcher for 12 people in 10 minutes. If someone who used to serve wine straight from the bottle can become known for “those amazing Christmas drinks,” literally anyone can.
Here’s what makes this holiday mojito recipe absolutely genius the coconut milk creates that “white Christmas” appearance while adding creamy richness that balances the bright mint and lime without making the drink heavy. Traditional mojitos are crisp and refreshing but not particularly festive or holiday-appropriate. This winter mojito drink adds coconut milk and suddenly it looks like snow, tastes more complex and luxurious, and feels appropriate for Christmas parties instead of summer patios. William’s mother who “doesn’t like mojitos” because she finds them “too summery” drank two of these and admitted that coconut transforms them into legitimate holiday drinks.
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Ingredients You Need for White Christmas Mojito
For Single Cocktail:
- 10-12 fresh mint leaves
- 1 lime
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 oz white rum
- 2 oz coconut milk
- 2 oz club soda
- Ice cubes
- Fresh cranberries and mint for garnish
For Pitcher (Serves 8-10):
- 1 bunch fresh mint
- 6 limes
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 cups white rum
- 2 cups coconut milk
- 2 cups club soda
- Ice
- Cranberries and mint for garnish
For White Christmas Mocktail:
- Same ingredients but replace rum with:
- 2 oz coconut water or white grape juice
- Extra splash of lime juice
- Everything else identical
Optional Add-Ins:
- Prosecco instead of club soda
- Peppermint extract
- Splash of cranberry juice
- White chocolate liqueur
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make White Christmas Mojito Step by Step
Muddle Mint and Lime:
In a sturdy glass (preferably rocks or highball glass), add mint leaves, lime wedges, and sugar. Using a muddler or sturdy wooden spoon, press down firmly on the mint and lime, twisting slightly to release oils. Don’t shred or tear the mint just bruise it to release flavor. Muddle for 15-20 seconds until you can smell intense mint aroma and the lime juice is released. The sugar should be partially dissolved and everything should look wet and fragrant. This muddling step is crucial William used to skip it and wonder why his mojitos tasted weak.
Add Rum and Coconut Milk:
Add 2 oz white rum and 2 oz coconut milk to the muddled mint mixture. Stir vigorously for 10-15 seconds-the coconut milk needs to mix with the rum and mint oils or it will separate. Fill the glass about ¾ full with ice cubes. Stir again for 5 seconds to combine everything and begin diluting. The drink should look creamy white with green mint flecks visible. If using a cocktail shaker (for smoother texture), add all ingredients except club soda, shake vigorously for 10 seconds, then strain into ice-filled glass.
Top with Club Soda and Garnish:
Pour about 2 oz club soda over the top to fill the glass, stirring gently once or twice don’t overstir or you’ll flatten the carbonation. The drink should be fizzy, creamy, and well-mixed. Garnish with fresh mint sprig (slap it between your hands first to release aroma), fresh cranberries (they’ll float beautifully), and a lime wheel. The presentation should be festive, snowy-white, with pops of red from cranberries and green from mint very Christmas.
For Pitcher Method:
In a large pitcher, muddle all mint leaves with lime wedges and sugar. Add all the rum and coconut milk, stir vigorously for 30 seconds to combine. Add ice to fill pitcher about halfway. Just before serving, add club soda and stir gently. Serve immediately-fizz dissipates if it sits. William makes the base (everything except club soda and ice) up to 2 hours ahead, then adds ice and soda right before guests arrive.
Serve:
Serve immediately while fizzy and cold. Each sip should taste minty and fresh upfront, creamy and coconutty in the middle, with lime brightness and rum warmth finishing. The drink should be refreshing despite being creamy that balance is what makes it special. William always makes extra because people consistently have 2-3 of these at parties.
Smart Swaps for Your White Christmas Mojito
Rum Options:
- Dark rum → White rum (richer, less “white Christmas”)
- Vodka → Rum (cleaner, less Caribbean flavor)
- Skip alcohol → Mocktail version
Milk Alternatives:
- Heavy cream → Coconut milk (richer, less tropical)
- Almond milk → Coconut milk (thinner, nut flavor)
- Oat milk → Coconut milk (creamier, less coconut)
Sweetener Swaps:
- Simple syrup → Sugar (dissolves faster)
- Honey → Sugar (different flavor, thicker)
- Agave → Sugar (vegan option)
Soda Options:
- Prosecco → Club soda (fancier, boozier)
- Sprite/7-Up → Club soda (sweeter, less clean)
- Tonic water → Club soda (bitter notes)
White Christmas Mojitos Variations
Classic White Christmas Mojito:
- White rum, coconut milk
- Fresh mint and lime
- Cranberry garnish
- William’s standard version
Peppermint Christmas Mojito:
- Add ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
- Candy cane garnish
- Extra festive
- Kids love the mocktail version
Christmas Mojito Cranberry:
- Add 1 oz cranberry juice
- Creates pink color
- Tart-sweet flavor
- Beautiful presentation
Christmas Mojito Punch:
- Make in punch bowl
- Use Prosecco instead of club soda
- Floating cranberries and mint
- Self-serve for parties
Equipment For White Christmas Mojitos
- Muddler or wooden spoon
- Highball or rocks glasses
- Measuring jigger
- Long bar spoon
- Citrus juicer
Storing Your White Christmas Mojito
Base Mixture (24 hours):
- Make mint-lime-sugar-rum-coconut base ahead
- Store in refrigerator in sealed container
- Add ice and club soda right before serving
- Keeps flavors fresh without going flat
Garnishes (1 week):
- Prep mint sprigs in damp paper towels
- Store cranberries in fridge
- Cut lime wheels day-of for freshness
Not Recommended:
- Don’t store with club soda added (goes flat)
- Don’t add ice until serving (dilutes)
- Don’t muddle more than 2 hours ahead (oxidizes)
Party Prep Strategy:
- Or add ice and soda to pitcher right before serving
- Muddle mint/lime mixture 1-2 hours ahead
- Add rum and coconut milk just before party
- Keep base cold, add ice and soda per drink
Top Tip
- The absolute game-changer for perfect White Christmas Mojito is properly muddling your mint leaves pressing and twisting them firmly against lime wedges to bruise them and release aromatic oils without shredding them into bits. William used to mash mint aggressively thinking more destruction meant more flavor, creating drinks with floating shredded mint bits that looked messy and tasted only mildly minty. The science is that mint flavor comes from oils stored in the leaves gentle bruising releases these oils while keeping leaves intact.
- Here’s the practical technique: William places mint leaves and lime wedges in the glass, adds sugar, then presses firmly downward while twisting the muddler slightly like he’s grinding spices with a mortar and pestle, not pounding meat with a tenderizer. The mint should look bruised and darker green with visible oil on the leaves, and the whole glass should smell intensely minty. He stops when the lime juice is released and sugar is partially dissolved about 20 seconds of firm, controlled muddling.
- My other essential tip: always slap your garnish mint sprig between your hands once or twice before placing it in the drink, which releases aromatic oils that float on the surface and hit your nose before you even taste the drink. William thought this was silly until he tried it the difference in aroma is dramatic. Clap the mint firmly enough to hear it and smell the oils, then place it immediately in the drink. That aromatic punch when you bring the glass to your face creates restaurant-quality sensory experience that elevates the entire cocktail!
Auntie’s Little-Known Secret That Transformed My Kitchen
My aunt pulled me aside at our family Christmas party where William’s white Christmas mojito were the hit drink, and whispered, “Can I tell you something that will make your mojitos even better?” I was skeptical these were already the most-requested drinks we made and people were taking photos of them. But when she leaned in close and said, “Slap your mint garnish between your hands before adding it to the drink. It releases the aromatic oils and makes the whole drink smell amazing when you bring it to your nose. My bartender friend who works at a fancy hotel taught me this it’s what makes cocktails at high.
I tried it the next batch, taking each mint garnish sprig and clapping it firmly between my hands once or twice before placing it in the drink. The difference was remarkable. When you brought the glass to your face, the mint aroma hit you before you even tasted the drink, making the entire experience more intense and luxurious. William took one sip and immediately noticed the drink “smelled way more minty” but couldn’t figure out why since we used the same amount of mint. When I told him it was Auntie Claire’s slapping technique from her bartender friend, he was amazed that such a simple gesture made such a dramatic difference.
FAQ
How to make a white Christmas cocktail?
To make a white Christmas mojito: muddle 10-12 mint leaves with lime wedges and sugar in a glass, add 2 oz white rum and 2 oz full-fat coconut milk, stir vigorously, fill with ice, top with 2 oz club soda, and garnish with mint and cranberries. The coconut milk creates the “white” appearance while adding creamy richness. William uses full-fat coconut milk (never light) because it stays emulsified and creates proper creamy texture. Muddle the mint properly to release oils press and twist, don’t shred. The key is balancing the creamy coconut with bright mint and lime so it tastes refreshing despite being rich!
What is the secret ingredient in a White Christmas Mojito?
The secret ingredient isn’t actually an ingredient it’s proper muddling technique! Press mint leaves firmly against lime wedges to bruise them and release aromatic oils without tearing them into bits. William used to shred mint thinking more surface area meant more flavor, but bruising releases oils while keeping leaves intact for better appearance and flavor. For White Christmas Mojito specifically, full-fat coconut milk is the secret that makes them special it creates creaminess and festive appearance while staying emulsified. Always shake the coconut milk can vigorously before using, and stir it well with other ingredients!
How do you make festive White Christmas Mojito?
Make mojitos festive by adding seasonal ingredients and garnishes! For Christmas: use coconut milk for snowy appearance, garnish with cranberries and mint, rim glasses with sugar, add peppermint extract, or use cranberry juice for pink color. William makes them festive with presentation too serve in clear glasses to show off the white color, add sugared cranberries as garnish, use candy canes as stirrers. For mocktail versions, replace rum with coconut water or white grape juice. The key is maintaining mojito fundamentals (mint, lime, fizz) while adding holiday elements that look and taste seasonal!
What alcohol is best for mojitos?
White rum is traditional and best for White Christmas Mojito! It has clean, slightly sweet flavor that doesn’t overpower mint and lime. William uses mid-range white rum (not bottom-shelf or premium) something like Bacardi, Cruzan, or Brugal. Dark rum works but changes color and adds molasses flavor that’s less traditional. Vodka creates a cleaner taste but loses Caribbean mojito character. For white Christmas mojitos specifically, use white rum to maintain the snowy appearance dark rum would turn the drink beige instead of white. Quality matters but ultra-premium isn’t necessary since other flavors are strong!
The Ultimate Holiday Cocktail Victory!
Now you have everything you need to create this incredible white Christmas mojito-from proper muddling technique to Auntie Claire’s mint-slapping secret. This white christmas mojito recipe with coconut milk proves that the most impressive cocktails are often classic drinks with simple festive twists. Sometimes the best holiday entertaining involves mastering one signature drink instead of attempting complicated variety.
Want more holiday cocktails? Try our Easy Mango Hibiscus Iced Tea Recipe that uses similar festive approach. Craving more mojito variations? Our The Best Passion Fruit Iced Tea Recipe brings summer version. Need another crowd-pleasing punch? Our The Best Lavender Limoncello Spritz Recipe is equally impressive!
We love seeing your white Christmas mojito creations! Tell us whether you made the alcoholic or mocktail version, if you tried Auntie Claire’s mint-slapping trick, and if you became “the mojito person” at your gatherings. We get so excited seeing your beautiful snowy drinks!
Rate this White Christmas Mojitos and tell us if you’ll ever serve boring wine at Christmas parties again we love hearing about holiday entertaining victories!
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with White Christmas Mojitos
White Christmas Mojito
A creamy, minty, snowy-white White Christmas Mojito made with muddled mint and lime, white rum, and full-fat coconut milk. Festive, refreshing, and easy to scale for parties.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
-
Add mint leaves, lime wedges, and sugar to a sturdy glass. Press and twist with a muddler for 15-20 seconds until mint is bruised and lime juice is released. Do not shred the mint.
-
Pour in white rum and full-fat coconut milk. Stir vigorously for 10-15 seconds to fully combine so the coconut milk doesn’t separate.
-
Fill the glass ¾ full with ice and stir again briefly.
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Add club soda and stir once or twice gently to preserve carbonation.
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Slap a mint sprig between your hands to release aroma. Garnish with mint, cranberries, and optionally a lime wheel. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Notes
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
