Description
Refreshing homemade mint juice is a delightful drink perfect for hot days. This simple recipe combines fresh mint leaves with sugar syrup and optional lemon juice for a vibrant, cooling beverage. Serve it chilled over ice for a refreshing treat!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup fresh mint leaves
- 2 tablespoons sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
- Ice cubes (for serving)
- Mint sprigs (for garnish)
Instructions
- Gather Your Ingredients: Start by collecting all the ingredients listed above. Fresh mint leaves are key to a vibrant flavor, so make sure they are fresh and fragrant.
- Wash the Mint Leaves: Rinse the mint leaves under cold water to remove any dirt or impurities. Gently pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towel.
- Prepare the Sugar Syrup: In a small saucepan, combine 2 tablespoons of sugar with 1 cup of water. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar completely dissolves. This should take about 2-3 minutes. Once dissolved, remove from heat and let it cool.
- Blend the Mint: In a blender, add the washed mint leaves and the cooled sugar syrup. If you like a tangy flavor, add the tablespoon of lemon juice at this stage. Blend on high speed until the mixture is smooth and the mint is finely chopped, about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Strain the Mixture: To achieve a smooth juice, strain the blended mixture through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a bowl or pitcher. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to press down on the mint pulp to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the leftover pulp.
- Taste and Adjust: Taste the mint juice and adjust the sweetness if necessary. If you prefer it sweeter, you can add more sugar or syrup. If its too strong, you can dilute it with a little more water.
Notes
- Mint juice can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- For longer storage, freeze in ice cube trays.
- You can customize the flavor by adding fruits or experimenting with different sweeteners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes