Mint Leaves For Cocktails: Top Tips To Use And Store The Fresh Ingredient
Mint-based recipes are popular because mint offers a clean, herby taste that complements a wide variety of flavours. Fresh mint, in particular, releases essential oils more effectively when muddled or shaken, which enhances aroma and taste. This not only creates a more flavourful profile but also improves the drink’s overall presentation and texture. The use of fresh ingredients signals quality; get to know how to store them and use them whenever making signature drinks or cocktails.
5 Hacks To Use Mint Leaves In Cocktails And Drinks
- Gently clap the mint before adding it to drinks to release its essential oils without tearing the leaf structure, enhancing aroma without bitterness.
- Use a muddler lightly on mint leaves at the bottom of the glass to subtly infuse the flavour into the base of the drink, especially in drinks like mojito cocktails.
- Create mint ice cubes by freezing mint leaves inside ice trays filled with water or juice for an aesthetic presentation and flavour-releasing garnish.
- Infuse simple syrup with mint by adding sugar and mint in boiling water, then straining. It adds a smooth and controlled mint sweetness to both cocktails and mocktails.
- Blend mint with fruit juices like watermelon or pineapple for a summer twist in juice-based mocktails.
5 Tips And Tricks To Store The Fresh Ingredient
- Wrap mint leaves in damp paper towels and store in a sealed zip-lock bag in the vegetable compartment to maintain moisture without trapping excess humidity.
- Place mint stems in a glass of water like flowers, cover loosely with a plastic bag, and refrigerate to keep them fresh for up to a week.
- Dry mint leaves completely and freeze in airtight containers for long-term preservation that retains flavour more than colour.
- Keep mint away from ethylene-producing fruits like apples and bananas, which can cause the leaves to spoil faster.
- Avoid tightly sealing wet mint leaves in plastic, as it accelerates decay; always dry them slightly before sealing.
*Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
