Feni Mojito cocktail in a highball
Cocktail Indian Twist

Feni Mojito Recipe

A mojito built on Goan cashew feni instead of rum.

Cashew feni
Base Spirit
~10%
Approx ABV
Easy
Difficulty
5 min
Prep Time
🥂 Highball 🧊 Crushed Fresh, fruity, funky

Cashew feni has a sharp, fruity character that stands up well to mint and lime. If you cannot find feni, a white rum is the closest substitute.

Ingredients

Makes
  • 45 ml Cashew feni White rum if you cannot find feni
  • 30 ml Fresh lime juice
  • 15 ml Sugar syrup
  • 8 leaves Fresh mint
  • 60 ml Soda water To top up

Garnish: Mint sprig and lime wheel

How to Make a Feni Mojito

  1. Add mint leaves and sugar syrup to a highball glass.
  2. Press the mint gently.
  3. Add lime juice and feni.
  4. Fill with crushed ice and stir from the bottom up.
  5. Top with soda water.
  6. Garnish with a mint sprig.

Best Bottles for a Feni Mojito in India

Bacardi White Rum bottle
Alternative
Bacardi White Rum
From ₹205 · ★ 7.2/10
White rum substitute if feni is unavailable
Old Monk White Rum bottle
Budget
Old Monk White Rum
From ₹150 ·
White rum if feni is unavailable

Prices are the lowest listed India price and vary by state. Check each spirit page for the full state-wise table.

Tips for a Better Feni Mojito

  • Feni has a strong aroma. Start with 30ml if you are new to it.
  • If feni is not available in your state, white rum is the closest substitute.

About the Feni Mojito

Feni is Goa's native spirit. Cashew feni is distilled from the fermented juice of cashew apples, the fruit that grows above the cashew nut. The cashew tree was brought to Goa from Brazil by the Portuguese in the 16th century. Coconut feni, distilled from palm toddy, is older still.

Cashew feni received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2009, and the Goan government declared it a heritage spirit in 2016. It is usually bottled at 42 to 45% ABV and has a strong, fruity, slightly funky aroma unlike that of any other spirit.

That intensity suits a Mojito, where mint, lime and sugar soften it. The Feni Mojito is a standard order in Goan beach shacks and bars. Outside Goa feni is hard to find, although small amounts are exported to the United States and Europe.

Feni Mojito Variations

  • Classic Mojito: white rum in place of feni.
  • Coconut Feni Mojito: coconut feni for a milder, nuttier drink.
  • Feni and Limca: the everyday Goan serve of feni, lemon-lime soda, a slit green chilli and salt.
  • Kokum Feni Cooler: add 20ml of kokum syrup and leave out the sugar syrup.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is in a Feni Mojito?

A Feni Mojito is made with 45ml (1.5 oz) cashew feni, 30ml (1 oz) fresh lime juice, 15ml (0.5 oz) sugar syrup, 8 fresh mint leaves and 60ml (2 oz) soda water. It is served in a highball glass.

How strong is a Feni Mojito?

Made to this recipe, a Feni Mojito is about 10% ABV and contains roughly 15 g of pure alcohol. That is about 1.1 US standard drinks, 1.5 Australian standard drinks or 1.9 UK units. It has around 155 calories per serving.

What is feni?

Feni is a spirit from Goa, India, distilled from fermented cashew apple juice or coconut palm sap. It is typically 42 to 45% ABV and has protected Geographical Indication status.

What does cashew feni taste like?

Fruity, pungent and slightly funky, with tropical fruit and a nutty finish. Its intensity is often compared to that of mezcal or cachaça.

What can you use instead of feni?

White rum makes a classic Mojito. Cachaça or an unaged agricole rum is the closest match to feni's grassy, funky character.

Where can you buy feni?

It is sold widely in Goa and in limited quantities in a few other Indian states. A small number of brands are exported, so check specialist spirits retailers elsewhere.
Drink responsibly. The legal drinking age in India varies by state, from 18 to 25. Alcohol content shown is an estimate and changes with ice, dilution and the strength of the bottle you use. We do not sell alcohol.

About the Author

Shivam Sharma
Shivam Sharma
I am the founder and editor of The Spirit Atlas. With a deep appreciation for fine spirits, I built this platform to be the most helpful and honest spirits guide for Indian readers — covering everything from Scotch and Indian single malts to rum, gin and tequila, along with prices across every major Indian state. My goal is simple: to make the world of spirits a little more approachable for everyone.
Last updated: October 2026

Quick Facts

Type Indian Twist
Base spirit Cashew feni
Glass Highball
Ice Crushed
Garnish Mint sprig and lime wheel
Approx ABV ~10%
Calories ~155 kcal
Difficulty Easy
Prep time 5 min

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