Mint Syrup Recipes

Steps:

• Combine water, sugar, and mint leaves in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Simmer for 1 minute. Remove from heat and let syrup steep, about 30 minutes.
• Pour syrup into a sterilized glass jar through a mesh strainer to remove mint leaves; let cool.

Steps:

• Bring sugar and water to a boil in a small saucepan; cook until sugar dissolves. Let cool. Meanwhile, prepare an ice-water bath. Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Add mint; cook until vibrant green, about 30 seconds. Remove from water, and transfer to ice-water bath. Drain; squeeze out excess water. Puree mint and sugar syrup in a blender until smooth. Let stand for 15 minutes. Strain; discard solids. Refrigerate until cool.

Steps:

• In a small saucepan over moderate heat, bring the sugar, 1/4 cup water, lemon juice and zest to a boil and cook until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture has reduced by half. Chill in the fridge at least 1 hour and up to 24 hours. Right before serving, stir in the mint and pour over the mangos and berries. Garnish with whole mint leaves.
• BYOC: You will love this syrup so much you will be pouring it over fruit all year long. For something a little different, try using fresh basil instead of the mint. This also makes a fantastic base for a drink. Try a mojito by adding a bit of rum and club soda. Or try adding fresh ginger for a kick of warm spice.

Steps:

• Stir together the sugar and 3/4 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook until the sugar completely dissolves, 3 to 5 minutes. Turn off the heat. Use your hands to tear the bunch of mint in half and add it to the saucepan. Using a spoon, press down the mint to make sure that it is completely submerged. Allow the syrup to cool to room temperature in the saucepan, about 1 hour. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer set over a small bowl or liquid measuring cup. Use the back of a spoon to press down on the mint to extract as much flavor as possible. The syrup can be used immediately and will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Steps:

• Check the mint leaves for any insect life, then tear the leaves into shreds. Put the lemon juice into a large bowl. Add the mint and pound with the end of a wooden rolling pin. Add the sugar and salt and continue to crush the mint leaves to release their menthol essence. Leave to macerate for 8 to 10 hours or overnight.
• Pour 2 1/2 cups of boiling water over the macerated mint mixture and let stand for a further 12 hours.
• Strain the syrup through a very fine sieve or cheesecloth into a saucepan. Gently bring to a simmer and simmer for a couple of minutes. Pour into warm, sterilized bottles (see p. 125) and seal with screw-caps or corks.
• This syrup will keep unopened for 4 months, but once opened, it should be stored in the fridge. If you want to keep it longer, it will need to be sterilized in a water bath straight after canning (see p. 125).