From Mojito to Lager: Galactic Brewing Lab’s Bold Beer Recipe

The main thing we learned from the 2025 iGulu Brew Challenge is just how far homebrewers are willing to push the boundaries of flavor. Among the standout entries, John Donnelly of Galactic Brewing Lab took home third place with the brew inspired by one of the most iconic cocktails out there: the mojito. 

His entry combined two things–brewing precision and cocktail creativity–and showed that beer can absolutely carry unexpected flavors, and still be enjoyable. Let’s dive in to learn more about this brew.

How a Mojito Cocktail Inspired the Galactic Brewing Lab Amber Lager

John Donnelly’s brew was inspired by his passion for blending cocktail flavors into beer. The mojito is a true summer staple for him: the combination of cooling mint, zesty lime, and a hint of sweetness is perfect for combating the heat.

John chose the iGulu Amber Lager kit for the foundation, which perfectly captures the refreshing character of a mojito in a glass of beer. The brewing process combined classic brewing techniques with a cocktail-inspired twist, resulting in a drink that’s unique and full of personality. 

For the finishing touch, John crafted a gin-based tincture, which tied everything together with a hint of botanical complexity. The result? A unique, one-of-a-kind brew that not only satisfied the palate but also captured the essence of a leisurely summer day.

Flavor Breakdown: How a Mojito Beer Balances Citrus, Herbs, and Lager

So, how does John’s brew taste like? Somehow, it’s both familiar and surprising. The beer pours as a crisp amber lager, with a rich malty depth that forms a solid backbone for the cocktail-inspired additions. 

Speaking of additions, dried lime leaves bring a gentle citrusy tang that enhances the base flavor without overpowering it. As for the fresh mint, that ingredient is responsible for the cooling wave that lingers on the finish, leaving a refreshing feeling on the palate. 

Finally, the gin tincture rounds all out with subtle herbal and juniper notes, adding more complexity to the drink all the while maintaining balance, ensuring no single flavor dominates over others.

The final result is a smooth, refreshing, and tailor-made beverage for warm afternoons when a mojito (or now, a mojito-inspired beer) just feels right.

Step-by-Step Recipe: Brewing a Mojito Amber Lager at Home

Ready to try the Mojito Amber Lager recipe yourself? Here are detailed instructions on what John Donnelly did, so you can easily replicate them at home. 

For the foundation, John chose the iGulu Amber Lager Ingredient Kit, whose caramel richness and gentle roasted sweetness created a smooth backdrop for his brew. This toasted malt character is perfect for balancing out mojito-inspired additions, allowing the cocktail flavors to shine through, but never overpower the beer.

Speaking of additions, here’s what John included in his Amber Lager with cocktail twist:

• 20 g (0.35 oz) fresh mint (added during secondary fermentation – 3 days)

• 10 g (0.7 oz) dried lime leaves (added during secondary fermentation – 3 days)

• 100 ml (3.4 fl oz) gin tincture (mint and lime infused)

Let’s start with the tincture. To make it, you need to:

1. Steep 20 g of fresh mint and 10 g of lime leaves in 100ml of gin. Pour it into a jar and let it sit for around 3 days. Shake every now and then to get the leaves thoroughly soaked into the gin for better flavor extraction.

2. Once infused, strain the mixture to remove solids. Set aside until you’re ready to bottle the brew.

Now it’s time for brewing! Here are step-by-step instructions on how to make this refreshing summer beer homebrew:

1. Fill the fermentation keg with filtered water up to the limit line (4.5 l/116 oz).

2. Add all the ingredients from the iGulu Amber Lager kit to the water.

3. Scan the RFID card that comes with the kit, and press start. Let your brewer do the rest.

4. Once the fermentation is finished, it’s time for dry additions. Add 20 g of fresh mint and 10 g of dried lime leaves to the keg. This secondary fermentation cycle should last around 3 days.

5. When you’re ready to bottle, add the gin tincture to your brew for subtle herbal and juniper notes. 

6. Finally, don’t forget to carbonate and cold-condition your Mojito Amber Lager before serving, to get that crisp, refreshing drink with layered cocktail-inspired character.

What Homebrewers Can Learn from John Donnelly’s Mojito-Inspired Beer

The great thing about the iGulu Brew Challenge is all the interesting and unique recipes and strategies beer brewers get to hear about and share with one another. And there are quite a few takeaways from the Galactic Brewing Lab Mojito Amber Lager:

• Use tinctures for herbs and fruit: Tinctures are an effective way to extract and concentrate flavors from herbs and fruits. By using tinctures instead of directly adding raw ingredients during the fermentation process, you can achieve better control over how the final flavor profile turns out. This approach lets you fine-tune the flavors to ensure the desired flavors are highlighted without overpowering the overall brew. 

• Don’t worry if you lack an iGulu kit: Don’t have access to an iGulu kit? There’s no reason to be discouraged. You can still achieve impressive results, as long as you pay careful attention to the fermentation process and accurate dosing of tinctures. 

• Balance is everything: Judges particularly praised John Donnelly for the way he crafted the mojito-infused flavors to complement, rather than overshadow, the rich character of the amber lager. The blend of boldness and drinkability is what led John to secure the bronze medal in this competition.

From Cocktails to Craft Beer

For homebrewers, John’s Mojito Amber Lager is a reminder that beer doesn’t have to stay inside the box. You can get inspired from practically anything–be that a cocktail, a dessert, or maybe a dish you love from a different cuisine. As long as the focus is on careful balance and attention to drinkability, there’s no reason why those ideas couldn’t turn into award-winning brews.

So the next time you’re brewing, ask yourself: “What unexpected flavors could give my brew a unique touch?” Like John Donnelly showed with his mojito-inspired beer, creativity and curiosity are often the best ingredients.

FAQs

1. Who is Galactic Brewing Lab in the iGulu Brew Challenge?

Galactic Brewing Lab is the homebrewing project of John Donnelly, who earned third place in the 2025 iGulu Brew Challenge with his cocktail-inspired Mojito Amber Lager.

2. What makes Mojito Amber Lager different from other entries?

Unlike traditional fruit beers, this recipe combines fresh mint, fragrant lime leaf, and a gin-based tincture on a rich amber lager base. The balance of cocktail flavors with malt depth made it stand out to the judges, earning John third place.

3. What is the recipe for Mojito Amber Lager by John Donnelly?

To make Mojito Amber Lager, John used the iGulu Amber Lager Ingredient Kit as a base and added fresh mint, dried lime leaves, and a mint-lime gin tincture during secondary fermentation and packaging. The full recipe and steps are outlined above in the article.

4. How do you make a gin tincture with mint and lime for beer?

Steep 20 g of mint and 10 g of dried lime leaves in 100 ml of gin for three days. Strain before adding to the beer. This extracts flavor while allowing precise control during packaging.

5. Can I brew Mojito Amber Lager without the iGulu Amber Lager ingredient kit?

Yes. Any amber lager base recipe can be adapted. Your main focus should be on a malt backbone with caramel notes, to which you should add mint, lime leaf, and a gin tincture during secondary fermentation and packaging.

6. What brewing temperature/fermentation schedule was used?

Fermentation followed the standard iGulu F1 lager procedures at recommended lager temperatures, with cold conditioning after carbonation for a crisp finish.

7. How does adding herbs and tinctures affect beer flavor and stability?

Herbs like mint and lime leaf bring freshness to the beer, but they’re best controlled through short secondary contact to avoid overpowering the base. Tinctures add flavor in a stable, measured way since the alcohol extracts and preserves the botanicals.