What are the best mints to use in a cocktail?
Crafting a cocktail using the proper mint can be an exuberant experience not only for your patron or guest but also for you, the bartender. I’ve compiled a small list of the mints that I prefer to use and grow for my cocktails and to accompany the drinks conjured up by my bartenders. Also known as Mentha Citrata, this is by far my favorite mint.
What are the best herbs to use in cocktails?
Let’s make cocktails! Mint is hands down the most popular herb to use in cocktails because it adds a unique freshness to every sip. There are two ways to add mint to cocktails. You can muddle it in a cocktail shaker before mixing the drink (the standard method). Or, you can use a homemade mint simple syrup.
How long can you drink alcohol with mint?
There are alcoholic drinks that use mint of various flavors: lemonade and limeades, strawberry, watermelon, pomegranate, pineapple, blackberry, blueberry, and many others. You’ll have 40 days of drinks if you try a different alcoholic drink with mint each night.
How do you muddle Mint?
There are a few tips to the right way to muddle mint: Step 1: Place the mint leaves in the bottom of a cocktail shaker. (If you don’t have one, you can use a large metal cup or bowl.) Step 2: Using a wooden cocktail muddler or unfinished wooden spoon, gently mash the mint a few times to release the juices.
What type of mint do you use in mojitos?
Mint SpearmintMint. Spearmint is most commonly used for mojitos and is what you'll likely find at the grocery store labeled generically as "mint." For an authentic Cuban mojito, use mojito mint, or Mentha x villosa, a type of mint native to Cuba with a more understated flavor than that of spearmint.
Is mojito mint peppermint or spearmint?
Mojito mint (Mentha x villosa) is the mint variety most traditionally used in the Cuban highball called a mojito. It's a large-leaved variety of spearmint.
Is mojito mint and spearmint the same?
Mojito Mint has a much milder flavor with hints of citrus whereas spearmint is much stronger (think breath mints or chewing gum). Mojito Mint has large leaves which make it great for muddling.
Why is mint used in cocktails?
Mint is hands down the most popular herb to use in cocktails because it adds a unique freshness to every sip. There are two ways to add mint to cocktails. You can muddle it in a cocktail shaker before mixing the drink (the standard method). Or, you can use a homemade mint simple syrup.
Can I use spearmint instead of mint for mojito?
Ice cubes keep the drink cold. Nonalcoholic versions omit the rum. Spearmint was the preferred mint for drinks in the early 20th century. Until early in the 21st century, mixologists looking for mint to flavor mojitos often used spearmint (Mentha spicata), which has a familiar, piquant mint flavor.
What is the best tasting mint?
Peppermint (Mentha x piperita 'Mitcham'). The best-tasting peppermint is found under various names throughout the country: 'Mitcham', black-stemmed, 'Blue Balsam', and even chocolate mint. It is highly mentholated, almost hot, and full of flavor.
What kind of mint is sold in grocery stores?
SpearmintSpearmint and peppermint are the two most common and widely available of the many mint species. Of the two, spearmint is the one almost always sold in grocery stores and markets.
What is the most common mint?
Spearmint (Mentha spicata Syn. Even if the name is not that common, spearmint is arguably the most commonly used of the mint varieties.
Can you use sweet mint for mojitos?
There are many varieties of mint including peppermint, spearmint and sweet mint. There is also a variety called Mojito Mint (mentha x villosa) that originated in Cuba. I use spearmint when preparing a Mojito but any of the varieties mentioned can be used.
How do you add mint to a cocktail?
0:090:43How to Use Mint in a Cocktail - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo what you want to do is when you add mint to a glass you want a little bit of liquid for that oilMoreSo what you want to do is when you add mint to a glass you want a little bit of liquid for that oil to absorb into so I'm going to add a little simple syrup.
Is spearmint the same as mint?
What Is Spearmint? Spearmint (Mentha spicata) is a type of mint that has a delicately sweet taste used in cooking. It is also a popular ingredient in commercial products such as toothpaste or chewing gum. The leaves of this popular herb look similar to regular mint leaves with a spear shape and bright green color.
What leaves do you put in cocktails?
Mint is, by far, the most used and popular herb in cocktails. Much of its fame is attributed to the mojito and mint julep, though its cool, refreshing flavor is a wonderful addition to countless recipes. It pairs well with lime, lemon, and other fruits, as well as basil, chocolate, and ginger.
How do I know if I have peppermint or spearmint?
What Are the Differences Between Spearmint and Peppermint?Menthol: Both spearmint and peppermint contain menthol, but spearmint has 0.5 percent menthol while peppermint has forty percent menthol, giving peppermint its signature numbing flavor.Taste: Spearmint has a subtler, lighter flavor, vaguely sweet flavor.More items...•
What is mint mojito made of?
Mint Mojito Made with rum, lime juice, simple syrup, and fresh mint, this refreshing cocktail is perfect for summer.
Is mint the same as peppermint or spearmint?
The term "mint" is an umbrella term for the Mentha plant family that includes spearmint, peppermint, orange mint, apple mint, pineapple mint and more.
Is spearmint and peppermint the same?
And though peppermint is perhaps the better known of the two, it's actually a natural hybrid of spearmint and water mint. This explains why it is so much more potent than its counterpart. Because peppermint is a mix of two types of mint, it contains a higher content of menthol (40% as opposed to spearmint's 0.5%).
So fresh and so clean
Tyler Zielinski is a freelance writer specializing in cocktails and spirits and a bartender at Lawrence Park in Hudson, NY.
Mint Julep
The classic Julep is most commonly associated with the iconic Kentucky Derby, where it’s the event’s official drink. But beyond that, it’s a revitalizing spirit-forward tipple that’s easily enjoyed at any time, especially during the warmer months.
Mojito
This classic remains one of the most popular rum cocktails, and the origin of the recipe is said to date back to 16th-century Cuba.
South Side
This breezy combination of gin, lemon juice, simple syrup and mint, essentially a Gin Sour with the addition of mint both muddled and as a garnish, is a favorite in seaside enclaves from Nantucket to the Hamptons and beyond. It’s best enjoyed while on a veranda overlooking a body of water.
Spicy Mint Avocado Margarita
Agave spirits and culinary ingredients always make for an exceptional pairing, so this Margarita riff with spicy jalapeño peppers, savory-creamy avocado and fresh mint hits the mark.
Old Cuban
This cocktail, created by bar pro Audrey Saunders of the late Pegu Club, takes a cue from the Mojito but twists it by using aged rum rather than white, and the other shared ingredients of lime juice, simple syrup and mint get joined by Angostura bitters and a hefty splash of Champagne, producing an elegant drink that’s as refreshing as it is delicious..
South Mint 75
The South Mint 75 is a cross between two classic cocktails: the South Side and French 75, with a touch of Southeast Asian influence by way of a zippy lemongrass syrup.
Chris Amirault
There's been a lot of talk around here devoted to mint muddling styles that address the differences between dry vs. wet, pressure, and the like (you can start in media res here or scroll to the top), but I've not found any discussions of types of mint.
Marmish
I don't have any input on what's better, but I'm interested in following this discussion as I stood in the garden center this spring trying to decide what to buy and tasting each one to see what tasted like a mojito. I got spearmint. I am not familiar with the other drinks you mentioned, so off to Google I go...
lostmyshape
I find a lot of the flavored mint cultivars (grapefruit, chocolate, etc.) to be a bit vegetal in cocktails.
Bricktop
My spearmint has not come back too well this year, so I bought a peppermint plant that is going nuts. It's my gut feeling sniffing the two that it may be a bit strong for my Southsides, so I am going to use a little less in there.
Chris Amirault
I feel like peppermint might brighten up basic gin drinks like a Derby Cocktail or a Gin Smash. The French Pearl came to mind bc, sitting here at my desk, the interplay of Pernod and peppermint seems intriguing. Could be a mess, though....
slkinsey
If you're in Cuba, you're likely making your Mojitos with Mentha nemorosa, aka "Cuban mint." The closest we can come to this, and it's very close, is Mentha spicata, aka regular old spear mint.
DerekW
Richters in Toronto now carry what they describe as the real Cuban "Mojito mint" - the plants we got from them are as yet too tiny to provide enough leaves for a test
Bergamot
Also known as Mentha Citrata, this is by far my favorite mint. I had a few variations of this one growing in my garden just for those summer inspired drinks such as Mojitos and Juleps. Bergamot is a mint that has a pleasant citrus scent and can be flavored with notes of lemon or orange.
Apple Mint
By Broly0 (Own work) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons Apple mint ( Mentha suaveolens) is probably the easiest mint to spot and differentiate from all of the other mints in your garden. It has a rather hairy or wooly look that pairs with a vividly green coloration.
Chocolate Mint
I’m sure most people have heard of this gorgeously scented herb and this falls in line as being my second favorite mint of all time. It’s a cousin to spearmint so the first whiff you take don’t be taken aback if that’s all that you gather from it.
Pineapple Mint
When I think about Pineapple Mint I think a lot about Apple Mint, maybe it’s the name or maybe it’s the consistent structure between the two. You can spot this one by looking for a leaf with a creamy white ‘piping’ along the edges of their soft green leaves.
Ginger Mint
I am a huge fan of Ginger so take this information with a grain of salt – but ginger mint ( mentha × gracilis) makes the best infused simply syrup ever! If you’re into making Old Fashioned-s, you need to have some ginger mint simple syrup on hand and you will have your clientele beating down your door for their next drink.
Other Options
In lieu of fresh mint there are some bartenders and bars that utilize a condensed oil from peppermint and spearmint leaves to use during the colder months.
Growing Your Own Mint
Just like any other plant or herb, you have to make sure that you give it enough room. This advice is especially important with mint as they will ‘jump’ locations. If you’re a beginner gardener or just looking to have a little mint on hand for those hot summer days just simply buy a starter plant and plant it in a large pot or raised bed.
Passion Fruit Mojito
If you like passion fruit, then this is the mojito for you and it is perfect for the warmer months as well. Besides the passion fruit and rum, you will be putting quite a bit of your mint to use in this mojito.
Refreshing Summer Drinks: Vodka Mint Lemonade Cocktail With Stoli
Lemonade is also one of the best drinks for the warmer months, but this one also has vodka and mint to make it more delicious and refreshing. Imagine sipping this one by the pool.
Strawberry Mojitos
Strawberries are delicious! If you find them as delicious as I do, then you will love this strawberry mojito that uses mint and rum.
Watermelon Mojito Refresher
When you need something that is Whole30 compliant, this is the drink for you. It uses watermelon, mint, and lime juice without added sugar. It can be made with either vodka or rum.
Strawberry Champagne Mojito
This strawberry champagne mojito is a little fancier than most, but sure to be extra delicious with homemade strawberry syrup and mint.
Black Beauty – Black Pepper Blackberry Low Carb Vodka Drink
With the black pepper and blackberry, this vodka drink is sure to be interesting and full of flavor.
Watermelon Peach White Wine Summer Sangria Recipe
If you’re looking for something that is specifically for summer weather, this Summer Sangria with tequila and mint is a great place to start.
Spearmint
Spearmint is most commonly used in cooking for many recipes, including lamb, vegetables, and of course, mint juleps and mojitos.
Peppermint
A hybrid of spearmint and water mint, peppermint is stronger than spearmint and is often used in tea and desserts.
Apple Mint
With fuzzy leaves, apple mint smells like Granny Smith apples, and is used to make tea or as a garnish, or can be added to salads.
Pineapple Mint
A variety of apple mint, pineapple mint has crinkled leaves with creamy edges, and can be used ornamentally in the garden.
Orange Mint
With mild, citrus flavored leaves, orange mint is good to use as a garnish or in salsas and salads because of its mild flavor.
Chocolate Mint
Strong like peppermint with a chocolate overtone, chocolate mint is good to use for desserts.
Resources
Mint may be found at nurseries or farmers' markets. The apron sent to our viewer mail participant is from the Martha Stewart Collection at Macy's.
