Three great ways to cool down with fresh mint
By Gillian Rogers
Known in Greek mythology as the herb of hospitality, nothing cools and refreshes quite like fresh mint. Mojitos, lemonade, and granitas anyone?
Fresh mint granita
2 cups of water
1 cup chopped mint leaves (spearmint works well)
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
fresh mint leaves for garnish
Combine the water, mint and sugar in a sauce pan, bringing the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for a few minutes, then stir in the lemon juice. Pour the mixture through a strainer into a shallow glass dish. Freeze for approximately three hours, periodically running a fork through the mixture to break up any chunks of ice that form. The end result is a sweet, cool, slushy, delicious summer treat that both adults and kids will love. Spoon the mixture into small glasses or bowls and garnish with fresh mint leaves.
Fresh squeezed lemonade with mint
Sure, there are mixes out there, but what really tastes like summer more than a tall glass of fresh-squeezed lemonade with mint? Simple and delicious—only four ingredients:
3 cups of water
1 cup of fresh lemon juice
3/4 cup sugar
fresh mint (I’m partial to spearmint)
Combine the ingredients in a glass pitcher and stir, add ice if desired, and fresh mint leaves. Make it the night before and keep it overnight in the fridge, so the mint infuses with the lemonade…mmmmmm.
Mojitos
Authentic Cuban version!
2 teaspoons sugar
Juice from one lime
About six mint leaves
1 sprig of mint for garnish
2 ounces of white rum
2 ounces of club soda
ice
Crush the sugar, lime and mint leaves in a glass. Add the rum, club soda and ice. Stir and add a sprig of mint.
Sounds and looks absolutely delicious! The perfect lemonade for a 115 degree Phoenix afternoon. Now to find mint as beautiful as your pictures!
We tried the lemonade at our house and it was a treat – adding the mint made all the difference. We were too thirsty to wait, though, and thought that the mint flavour wouldn’t come through if we drank it right away, so we heated the mint with some of the sugar and water, as per the other recipes, and within 5 minutes we had great lemonade. Should have made a triple batch, though, we decided.