What waiters don't want to admit every time someone orders a mojito

On a warm evening or when you're craving something special, nothing beats a mojito. The lime is crisp and refreshing, the fizzy soda tickles your tongue, and the mint adds an unparalleled botanical touch. Unfortunately, ordering a mojito can be one of those things bartenders dread. When you order a mojito, especially on a busy weekend night, the bartender might smile, but they're probably sighing inwardly, hoping no one else gets the same idea.

There are several simple reasons why ordering this drink often raises doubts among bartenders, and most of them have to do with the mint. Muddling the mint is a laborious process that consumes valuable time that could be spent preparing other drinks. Some bartenders claim they can serve twice as many cocktails in the time it takes to make a couple of mojitos. Cleanup is also a hassle, as collecting the soaked mint leaves and squeezing the limes can be quite messy.

Furthermore, when someone orders a mojito, it's so beautiful that it often sparks the desire of others, creating a kind of chain reaction. This generates an ever-increasing problem, as bartenders spend more and more time muddling the mint. As one bartender lamented on Reddit: "What I hate is preparing several at once, simply because they can't be made in batches." It's true that the mojito has been enjoyed for at least 100 years, clearly this refreshing cocktail has stood the test of time, but that doesn't mean it isn't complicated to prepare.

How to order a mojito

Since preparing a mojito takes a long time, bartenders may find polite ways to decline it. Sometimes, they'll simply refuse and offer to make something else. In other cases, they'll apologize and inform you that they don't have mint, even if that's not true. However, most of the time, the bartender will make the drink for you, whether you like it or not.

If you're really craving a classic mojito, there's a way to order it guilt-free. To increase your chances of getting a mojito and maintain a good relationship with the bartender, consider the time of day you visit. When it's busy, ordering a simpler drink will allow you to get faster service and win them over. Try ordering the mojito when it's less crowded and give the bartender an extra tip, as you know the effort they put into preparing it. Also, avoid ordering several at once, since each mojito should be prepared individually.

Another way to ensure you enjoy this refreshing herbal cocktail is to make it at home. You'll only need rum, simple syrup or sugar, lime, fresh mint, and club soda. Once you learn the correct ratio of ingredients and how to muddle the mint yourself, you'll have a delicious mojito without bothering any bartenders.