Where To Drink The Best Mojitos In Los Angeles
The mojito is originally from Cuba but there are quite a few variations of this drink. Some drinks are made from fresh lemon juice to substitute lime. Tequila sometimes replaces rum. Simple syrup is commonly used at many bars instead of sugar and some bartenders will use sugar cane. Champagne is used on occasion or by request to replace sparkling water. Angostura bitters are used as a flavor enhancer, bringing a calming balance to alcoholic beverages. Whichever way you like it, most can agree that the mojitos at these LA locales are refreshing and perfect for summer.
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Xiomara
6101 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 461-0601
www.xiomararestaurant.com
Rave reviews from Los Angeles diners prove that locals love Xiomara. The Cuban cuisine here mixes well with a mojito. The restaurant offers two types of mojitos also. One is a classic mojito with Bacardi Superior, mint, lime and fresh-squeezed sugar cane juice. The second choice is a mango mojito, made with Bacardi Silver, mango juice, club soda, mint and lime.
Fig & Olive
8490 Melrose Pl
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(310) 360-9100
www.figandolive.com
Known for their exquisite Mediterranean cuisine, the cocktail program here is worth the visit alone. Offering signature classic cocktails like the Provence Margarita, or Red Sangria, a stand out is the raspberry mojito with rum, muddled raspberry, fresh mint, and lime juice. Topped with club soda, it's refreshing and one of a kind! It's a classic that has been around for a while for a reason!
Upper West
3321 Pico Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 586-1111
www.theupperwest.com
You won't find a specific mojito on the menu at Upper West because they're always changing it up. Offering seasonal mojitos, you ca be sure that this drink will be constantly adapting itself for the taste buds of Angelenos. Their mojitos come with muddled seasonal fresh fruit and mint mixed with Mount Gay Rum.
Red O
8155 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 655-5009
www.redorestaurant.com
At Rick Bayless' Red O Restaurant, visitors will not only find a stunningly chic interior along with tasty Mexican fare, but you will also have your choice of a full bar. And, while mojitos on the menu rotate, the bartenders here are some of the finest in the city. Simply ask them to put something together, and you can be certain you'll be sipping on an extra special mojito!
Katsuya Hollywood
6300 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 515-8782
www.katsuyarestaurant.com
A mojito at a Japanese/sushi eatery? Yes, you heard it right. Katsuya has been spicing things up for years, offering non-traditional eats and drinks for guests who keep coming back. The specialty cocktail program here is as good as it gets, but one of the highlights is the watermelon cucumber mojito. With Bacardi rum, crushed seedless watermelon, English cucumbers, fresh mint and freshly squeezed lime juice, it's one of the restaurants most popular drinks.
PUMP
8948 Santa Monica Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(310) 657-7867
www.pumprestaurant.com
Owned by Real Housewife of Beverly Hills, Lisa Vanderpump and husband Ken Todd, PUMP Bar & Restaurant is known for their selection of carefully crafted cocktails. So, it should come as no surprise that they offer everything from champagne cocktails, beer, signature cocktails, and modern classics like a raspberry mojito and their strawberry mojito. Complete with rum, muddled mint, lime, simple syrup, and topped with club soda, the only difference between the two is the strawberry mint vs raspberry mint.
Border Grill
445 S. Figueroa St.
Los Angeles, CA 90071
(213) 486-5171
www.bordergrill.com
With a great location in downtown Los Angeles, Border Grill proves there is something unique for everyone depending on where you want to sip on your mojito. This Mexican restaurant by famed chef Susan Feniger serves up a mojito with fresh lime and mint leaves hand muddled within white rum.
The Bazaar
SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills
465 S. La Cienega Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(310) 246-5555
www.sbe.com
If you want to experience a different kind of mojito with an atmosphere of sexy ambiance and a fun night on the town, The Bazaar is the place to go. One very unique mojito to try is the "Magic Mojito" served in an individual shaker and strained over cotton candy. There's also an option made the traditional way using Bacardi Gold.