Many a mojito mocktail: Which canned mojito is the best?

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a selection of non-alcoholic mojito mocktails in cans and bottles are on a table. There is a glass of mojito on the table, as well as lines and sprigs of mint. There is green botanical print wallpaper in the background.

The refreshing combo of mint, lime, sugar and rum have a universal appeal, which has made the classic mojito a bar standard. Although it’s only made from five ingredients, this cocktail is extremely hard to replicate in a non-alcoholic format. We opened up seven cans of ready-to-drink non-alcoholic mojito mocktails and compared side to side, so if you’re not drinking but desiring your favourite mojito in a single-serve premixed format, here’s where to start:

  1. Above Mojito

  • Easy to find, wallet-friendly

  • Sugar: 21g/can

Despite the high sugar content, this is the best flavour of all the cans we tested, and it’s easy to find at grocery stores across Canada and the U.S., so that’s why it’s at the top of our list. It has a nice soft spearmint flavour, sugary but not overwhelmingly so. Very nice flavour. It’s missing the gentle heat or bite of what would be white rum, and there is a lack of tartness from lime. It would be a great mixer for regular drinkers, or if you have n/a rum. Our reco is to add just a squeeze of lime juice to this in a glass with ice and it would be fantastic. Available on Amazon.ca.

 

2. Edna’s Mojito

  • Great flavour and experience

  • Sugar: 26g/can

Vancouver bartender and founder Nick Devine knew what he was doing when he crafted this deliciously minty liquid. It’s got a lovely bite from ACV which balances out the citrus and mint nicely. The company is not shy about selling this as a mixer but it’s actually delicious to drink on its own over ice. Either way, this has an ebullient mojito vibe and we’re here for it! Buy this direct from Clearsips, Sansorium and other online retailers - find our list here.

 

3. Sir James Mojito Mocktail

  • Lovely flavour, but overly sweet

  • Sugar 23.5g/can

A bottle of Sir James mojito mocktail sits on a table beside a glass of mojito garnished with mint. A lime and a pile of sugar cubes sits on a cutting board alongside a sprig of mint.

If you want a real mojito flavour, Sir James comes the closest of this bunch. The lime and mint balance is exceptional - if it wasn’t for the extreme sweetness this would be one of the best options. It’s also missing the gentle bite or heat of what would be white rum, so it could have a bit more kick. It would be nice mixed with spiced rum but not necessary.


 

4. Collective Arts Surreal Mojito

  • Canadian mojito mocktail with a twist

  • 4g/sugar per can

This fun drink tastes like a limeade popsicle, but that’s not a bad thing. It’s actually a really neat flavour - if you don’t care that it’s not an exact mojito dupe. It’s really fun to drink and tastes lovely, with just a hint of mint. The lime is slightly chemical, which is a bit of a turn off but doesn’t ruin the overall experience. There are only FOUR ingredients listed on the can, which is really refreshing (except one of them is not mint - assuming it’s in the ‘natural flavours’ category). Low-sugar and great flavour means two AF thumbs up! Get this direct from Collective Arts or online/in-person via Yonge Street Winery.

 

5. Clever Mojito Mocktail

  • Easy to find, wallet-friendly

  • Sugar: 24g/can

A can of Clever brand non-alcoholic mojito sits on a platter beside a glass of mojito garnished with mint. Two limes and a few cubes cubes are also on the platter. The platter sits on a marble table top. Tropical wallpaper is in the background.

Many people really like the taste of Clever, but we find it overly chemically and definitely missing the zing of a real mojito. They use real lime peel and two kinds of mint extracts to get the flavour, but it’s missing the ‘rum’ heat, and the backbone of sugarcane juice and molasses. More of a mixer than a true cocktail flavour. It’s an extremely cheap option, but not a true elevated non-alcoholic option. Find this in almost every Canadian grocery chain in the non-alcoholics drinks section.

 

6. Bellwoods Mojito Sparkling Water

  • A beer-jito surprise

  • Sugar: 1g/can

This isn’t a mojito dupe, rather a surprising take on sparkling hop water from Toronto craft brewery Bellwoods. Very herbal, with fresh-picked mint notes that are a bit overwhelming. It’s not sweet in the slightest and there are very very light hoppy notes, which is not a surprise coming from a brewery. Only four ingredients, the first of which is water, and no added sugar. This won’t be for everyone, but it’s a nice light option for anyone interested in unique bevvies! Buy this direct from Bellwoods Brewery or in-person and online from Yonge Street Winery (Aurora).

 

7. Savyll Alcohol-Free Mojito

  • Expensive but low-in-sugar

  • Sugar: 2.7g/100ml for a 250ml can

Herbal and the vegetable glycerin does not do it any favours. Possibly the wrong mint flavour - not spearmint. Can really taste the lime juice which is lovely. Low in sugar and they don’t use stevia which is nice. Imported through The Sobr Market.

Find your own favourites on our list of Where To Buy Non Alcoholic in Canada.

Cheers!