Common Ground Spirits

Common Ground Spirits Blog July 2025

Cacao Nib Gin Mojito

Shake up our refreshing take on the mojito, with our Gin Recipe 03 (blood orange and tarragon), fresh mint, key lime, and a splash cacao nib simple syrup. It’s delicious, easy to batch up, and will keep you cool during the hottest summer afternoons.

Cacao Nib Gin Mojito

We’ve put a simple gin spin on the classic mojito by making it with our Gin Recipe 03 (blood orange and tarragon) and a touch of cacao nib simple syrup which adds subtle, choco-nutty background notes to balance out the greenery of the fresh mint and lime. You can easily batch this cocktail out in a pitcher if you are serving a crowd, or shake one up for yourself and watch the August sun dip behind the horizon. 

Ingredients for Cacao Nib Simple Syrup

(makes enough for about 20 drinks)

½ c sugar

½ c water 

¼ c cacao nibs

Ingredients for Cacao Nib Gin Mojito

Serves 1

1 ½ oz Common Ground Spirits Gin Recipe 03 (blood orange and tarragon)

1/4 oz cacao nib simple syrup

1 key lime 

1 large sprig fresh mint (about 10 leaves)

Sparkling water

Make the Cacao Nib Simple Syrup

1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar, water, and cacao nibs and stir until the sugar is fully dissolved. Heat mixture to a simmer, then remove from heat, cover, and allow to steep for 15 minutes before straining into a glass container. Set aside to cool completely.

Make the Cacao Nib Gin Mojito

Express the mint sprig over the top of the cocktail by shaking and/or pinching the leaves, then pop the mint sprig in the cocktail and serve with a straw.

Cut the end off the whole key lime, so you have about ¾ of the lime for the cocktail (feel free to save the end of the lime for a garnish, if you like).

Place the ¾ piece of key lime in a cocktail shaker, then add ice, gin, and simple syrup and shake well until cold.

Fill a Collins glass with ice, strain the cocktail into the glass, top with sparkling water, and stir briefly.