Mint syrup

Mint Syrup - The Summer Indulgence in a Sweet Drop

Welcome to the world of aromatic delights! Today, I will reveal the wonderful recipe for mint syrup, a creation inspired by my dear friend Lia, who brings us a splash of freshness on hot summer days. With a refreshing taste and multiple uses, this syrup is perfect for sweetening cakes, drizzling over desserts, or creating refreshing cocktails. Get ready to transform a simple bunch of mint into a true treasure!

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 2-3 hours
Total time: 2-3 hours and 20 minutes
Number of servings: 4 liters of syrup

Your ingredients are:
- 500 g fresh mint (about 5 large bunches; after cleaning, you will get about 250 g of leaves)
- 1 kg sugar
- 3-4 tablespoons bee honey
- 4 liters of water
- Optional: green food coloring to enhance the color

The history of mint syrup is captivating. Used for centuries, mint has become a popular ingredient in various cultures for its aromatic and refreshing properties. From fragrant teas to delicious desserts, mint has won the hearts of food enthusiasts around the world.

Making mint syrup is simple but requires a bit of patience. I will guide you step by step so that you achieve a perfect syrup, rich in flavor and with a fine texture. Let's get started!

1. Preparing the ingredients: Make sure you have all the ingredients at hand. Choose fresh mint with green, healthy leaves. Wash the leaves well under cold running water to remove impurities. Cut the stems to keep only the leaves.

2. The boiling phase: In a large pot, add the water and sugar. Place the pot over medium heat and stir until the sugar completely dissolves. This is the base of your syrup.

3. Mint infusion: Once the sugar has melted, add the mint leaves to the pot. Gently stir and let it simmer on low heat for a maximum of 10 minutes. This infusion will extract all the wonderful flavors from the mint.

4. Removing the mint: Use a spatula to remove the mint leaves from the syrup, leaving only the aromatic liquid. This is where the magic happens! Add the honey and stir well. The honey will add an extra note of sweetness and a deep, natural flavor.

5. Boiling the syrup: Continue to simmer the syrup on low heat, stirring occasionally, until it thickens. This process may take a few hours, but don't worry – your syrup will become more and more concentrated and flavorful!

6. Testing the consistency: When you think the syrup is ready, drop a few drops onto a small plate and let them cool. If it thickens and forms a sticky film, it is a sign that the syrup is perfect!

7. Coloring the syrup: Before turning off the heat, you can add 2-3 drops of green food coloring if you want to enhance the color. This is an optional step, but it adds a vibrant look to your syrup.

8. Cooling the syrup: Once the syrup has boiled and thickened, turn off the heat and let it cool to room temperature. Then, transfer it to clean, airtight containers, such as bottles or jars.

9. Storing: Your mint syrup will keep perfectly in the refrigerator for several months, so get ready to use it in various combinations.

Serving suggestions: Mint syrup is extremely versatile. You can use it to drizzle over fluffy cakes, such as a sponge cake or a fruit tart. It is also ideal for summer cocktails, such as Mojito or other refreshing drinks, mixed with sparkling water or lemonade.

Possible variations: If you want to experiment, you can also add other herbs, such as basil or rosemary, to create a syrup with interesting flavors. Additionally, you can replace honey with agave syrup for a vegan version.

Frequently asked questions:
- Can I use dried mint? While it's possible, fresh mint offers a much more intense and aromatic flavor.
- How can I use mint syrup? It can be used to drizzle over cakes, in cocktails, or even in teas.
- Is mint syrup healthy? While it contains sugar, it also has benefits due to mint, which can aid digestion and has anti-inflammatory properties.

Calories and nutritional benefits: A 15 ml serving of mint syrup contains approximately 45 calories. Mint is rich in antioxidants, and the syrup provides a pleasant taste without adding excessive calories.

So, get ready to indulge in this delicious mint syrup! Whether you use it to sweeten a dessert or as a secret ingredient in your favorite drinks, it will surely bring a splash of joy to every sip. Have a summer full of flavors and refreshing moments!