Dragon Fruit Mojito Mocktails

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This stunning dragon fruit mojito is a fun mocktail made with muddled dragon fruit, mint, honey, lime, and pitaya powder for an extra pop of pink! It's finished with lemon-lime sparking water for some fizz and flavor. Add a shot of rum, and just like that - it's a full-fledged mixed drink!

dragon fruit mojito mocktail in a glass close up

Love these dragon fruit mojito cocktails? Try my Peachy Berry Smoothie and my Real Fruit Smoothie for more delicious drinks!

My dragon fruit obsession began due to a dragon fruit drink I ordered at my local coffee chain. I've been hooked since the first sip and eager to craft my own drinks with this underrated tropical fruit. So I got to work on a dragon fruit-flavored mojito recipe without rum, and the result is a thirst-quenching DELICIOUS cocktail the whole family can enjoy.

If you're a mojito fan, you'll love this fruity twist on the classic. It's light, refreshing, and a cinch to make with a short list of refreshing ingredients. Mojitos are traditionally sweetened with sugar, but I opted for honey. As a result, the mojito is naturally sweetened without sacrificing any flavor.

If you want to make this mocktail a cocktail, by all means, go for it! Add a white rum and this fresh fruit mojito is instantly the real deal. Cheers!

dragon fruit mojito mocktails in glasses side by side

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

It's gorgeous. Pitaya powder gives it that beautiful magenta hue. It is almost too pretty to drink!
It's delicious. This is a perfectly balanced sweet, tart, and tangy summertime drink!
It's flexible. If you can't find dragon fruit, you can make this with other seasonal fruits and fresh flavors.
It's alcohol-free. However, there's room for rum if you want to make a grown-up-only version.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Lime - Juice from fresh lime makes a big difference in cocktails. Bottled lime juice will work, but the citrusy flavor won't be as vibrant.
Honey - The sweetness from honey helps balance the acidic sour notes. Use raw, local honey if you can.
Pitaya Powder - This delicate pink powder amplifies the dragon fruit flavor and is responsible for the hot pink hue. If you're looking for more ways to use pitaya powder, try this dairy-free pitaya parfait.
Dragon Fruit - New to this funky-looking fruit? Let's break it down. Dragonfruit, also known as pitaya, is a low-calorie, nutrient-dense super fruit high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. The flavor and texture are often described as a cross between a kiwi and a pear speckled with itty bitty black chia-like seeds.
Mint Leaves - This wouldn't be a mojito recipe without mint. You'll muddle the leaves directly into the drink and use a sprig to garnish the glass.
Lime Sparkling Water - Lime LaCroix is perfect and doesn't add sugars or artificial flavors, but you can use any lemon-lime soda. Feel free to use Sprite if you want something sweeter.

How To Make Dragon Fruit Mojitos

Step 1: Mix lime juice and sweeteners.

Add honey and freshly squeezed lime juice to a large pitcher. Whisk well, then add the pitaya powder and whisk until incorporated.

Step 2: Muddle with fruit and herbs.

Add the chopped dragon fruit and mint leaves to the pitcher and lightly mash the fruit and mint with a muddler or the back of a long bar spoon.

Step 3: Add mixer.

Pour in the can of lime club soda and gently stir. Give it a quick sip and adjust the flavors if needed.

Step 4: Garnish and serve.

Fill two highball or collins glasses with ice, and pour in the mojito mixture. Garnish the drink with mint and lime, and enjoy!

Recipe Tips

Remove the skins. Despite its gorgeous shade of pink, the skin won't add much to the drink, so it's best to remove it. Before peeling, I sometimes cut two thin wheels from the thickest section of the fruit to use for garnishes.
Muddle gently. The purpose of lightly mashing (aka "muddling") the dragon fruit and mint leaves is to release the essence of the fresh ingredients and infuse the drink with balanced flavors. Do your best not to bruise the mint leaves as you muddle.
Taste test. Be sure to take a quick sip before serving and balance the flavors if necessary. Add honey if it's too tart. Add lime juice if it's too sweet.

Variations

Fruit options - If dragon fruit isn't your thing, leave out the pitaya powder and muddle the mojito base with any fruit. Try peach, mango, pineapple, passion fruit, watermelon, raspberries, strawberries, kiwi, blood orange, etc.

Sweetening agents - You can sweeten things with simple syrup, agave nectar, or maple syrup as an alternative to honey. You can also add a vanilla extract to enhance the sweet taste.

Make it a cocktail - For a grown-up version, muddle the lime juice, honey, fruit, and mint as instructed, then add 3 ounces of white rum (or Bacardi Dragonberry!) to the pitcher. Gently stir with a bar spoon, top with lime soda, and pour over fresh ice.

Storing & Freezing

Storing: Mojitos are best enjoyed fresh, but if you don't finish the whole pitcher, you can keep it covered in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Freezing: If you made the mocktail version, you can freeze the strained liquid into cubes and use the frozen cubes to chill your future fruit mojito mocktails and cocktails.

FAQ

Can I make this mocktail for a crowd?

Yes! This recipe makes two drinks, but you can always double or triple the ingredients and mix everything in a larger pitcher for parties and gatherings.

Where do you buy dragon fruit?

The peak months for dragon fruit are June through September, but they are sold in stores year-round. If your supermarket doesn't have any, check the nearest Asian grocery store.

If I add alcohol, can I use dark rum instead of white rum?

Technically, yes -but if the pink color of the cocktail is important to you, I do not recommend using anything but clear rum.

Yield: 2 Servings