Syrop de Menthe

I love having something special to offer my friends when they come over for a bit. And I really like it when that something special happens to smell really good while it brews.

In the fall, I get super excited to brew batch after batch of Chai Tea (I'll share that recipe again as soon as the leaves start to turn red). In the summer, I like some really good fresh lemonade but somehow I have not been really getting excited about it, this year.

And then, last week, sitting right by our luscious mint patch on the deck, Inspiration struck.

I love it when that happens.

30 minutes later, we were sipping delicious, bright green, fizzy, minty loveliness.

Here is the recipe for my homemade Syrop de Menthe, reminiscent of the Teisseire Syrups which flavored my childood (MUCH better than pop, if you ask me)

Summer Syrop de Menthe:

1. Take a nice batch of fresh mint, defoliated and washed (about 5-6 long stems) and place it in the bottom of your favorite blender  (I love my Vitamix).
   
   
2. Cover with boiling water, with about 2-3 inches above the mint.
   
   
3. Let sit for 5 minutes. I highly recommend closing your eyes at that point, and inhaling the heady scent.
   
   
4. Blend on high until the mint is completely pulverized.
   
   
5. Strain.
   
   
6. With a funnel, pour the lovely potion in a glass bottle.
   
   
7. Add 1/2 cup Simple Syrup* - once you make your first batch, you may decide to add more or less Simple Syrup.
   
   
8. Cover, shake and keep in the fridge (I think it will keep for a week or so, but it never lasts this long around here)
   
   
9. When you are ready for a treat, put some ice cubes in a glass, fill it half way with your Syrop de Menthe, and top with either plain water or fizzy water. I have a feeling it may marry well with some sort of alcohol, too.

And VOILA! Will you let me know how you like it?

PS: In France we have a drink I love called a Diabolo Menthe. It is Syrop de Menthe and 7-up. Hey ...  don't diss it till you try it. Come to think of it, we also have Panaché, which is beer and 7-up  - and about the only way I like beer. Oh well :)


* Simple Syrup:

1. Pour equal parts water and sugar in a saucepan.
2. Heat until dissolved, without stirring
3. Allow to cool a bit

(this can store for a good while in the fridge, too. If you don't mind consuming sugar, it's a really handy ingredient to have on hand)