Mojito
/moʊˈhiːtoʊ/noun
A Cuban cocktail made with white rum, lime juice, sugar, mint, and soda water.
Did you know?The word’s history is disputed: Cuban Spanish mojo means a sauce or seasoning, while the older word mojo in parts of the Caribbean can also mean a magical charm or talisman.
Etymological Timeline
Early 20th Century
Cuban Spanish
mojito
“A diminutive form associated with mojo, a sauce or seasoning; later the name of the cocktail.”
19th Century
Cuban Spanish
mojo
“A sauce or seasoned mixture, especially in Caribbean cooking.”
Colonial Spanish
Spanish
mojo
“A sauce or dressing; the word’s deeper origin is uncertain and may reflect African or Portuguese influence.”
20th Century
English
mojito
“An English borrowing for the Cuban rum cocktail.”