Friday, May 31, 2013

More on Mint...

Ever since I planted mint, I've been doing a lot of reading about it on the Internet.  Links with the photo below of Mint and Lime Juice Ice Cubes came up numerous times, but without a recipe, so this is the recipe I'll use:  Mix together 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice [1 lime] with 1 cup water, and sprigs of fresh mint. Freeze in ice cube trays.  

[Internet Photo]

 June is National Iced Tea Month, so the ice cubes will be the perfect addition.


I was amazed at all the mint cultivars.  "Mint Julep" is named after the famous beverage using Kentucky bourbon.  Because of its excellent flavor, Mint Julep is one of the best mints for tea and sweet recipes.


Here's a recipe for a non-alcoholic Mint Julep
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup prepared lemonade
2 sprigs fresh mint
2 cups crushed ice
Fresh mint sprigs, for garnish

Combine first four ingredient and let stand about an hour.  Discard mint and pour over crushed ice in a Mint Julep cup.  Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.  Yield: 2

A Mint Julep cup arrived in my mailbox today.  When not used for Mint Juleps they make beautiful mini-flower vases.


Give a boost to steamed vegetables [such as peas and carrots] by adding fresh chopped mint leaves just before serving.


Mint syrup:  Boil 2 cups of water and 2 cups of white sugar until sugar dissolves.  Add 2 cups of washed mint leaves; stir and cover with a tight-fitting lid.  Allow the mixture to cool; strain syrup and pour into a glass bottle with a tight-fitting lid.  Syrup will keep in the refrigerator up to one year.

Mint tip:  Clipping the top leaves on mint plants causes them to branch and become bushy.

Thanks for all your comments on my earlier post about mint assuring me that I can grow it in spite of not having a green thumb!  I'll keep you posted!  ;-)


6 comments:

  1. The recipe looks great, Phyllis. Enjoy!

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  2. Oh, yes, mint is easy to grow. Around here we grow it in containers to keep it from overgrowing everything around it! Your recipe sounds delicious and refreshing. One year when we lived in Alabama, my ex brought in a HUGE bag of mint that he'd rescued, it was about to be plowed under - we made mint jelly and it was delicious. Nowadays I am just happy to have some in a pot that I can enjoy in my tea.

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  3. I love your idea for freezing mint and lime juice together, and serving with iced tea!! I will have to do that. Gotta get my plastic icecube trays out of the high cupboard. (with the automatic icemaker, I don't use the trays much anymore.)

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  4. I have a mint julip cup and didn't know that was what it was. Someone gave it to me with a candle in it. The candle is gone and I also love it for flowers. The recipe does sound good. Mint and lime juice are such a refreshing combination. I often use them with cut up watermelon too. A summer time treat.

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  5. Lovely to meet you and read your post.We both enjoy tea time :)I'm now your new follower.Please drop by and stay as long as you like-Denise

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  6. Wonderful suggestions! I especially like the ice cubes. And even though I've been making mint syrup for a while, I had no idea it would keep so long. I need to make some in the fall to see me through the winter months (just in case I get a hankering for iced tea, which in Georgia is quite possible!).

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