Homemade mint syrup

Cooking method

1. Step 1:

   

   How do you make mint syrup at home? Gather your ingredients. It's best to use freshly picked mint, gathered in dry weather. Any mint works for the syrup, but menthol varieties give the strongest aroma.

2. Step 2:

   

   Strip the mint leaves from the stems — the stems are too coarse and won't be needed. Wash the leaves, let the water drain off, and dry them on a paper towel in a single layer. Excess water will make the syrup runnier than it should be. A salad spinner is very handy here.

3. Step 3:

   

   Put the leaves in a heavy-bottomed stainless steel pot.

4. Step 4:

   

   Pour the granulated sugar into the pot with the mint leaves. You can use plain white sugar, or cane or brown sugar. The latter two will give the syrup a yellowish color and a subtle caramel note. But it all comes down to your taste.

5. Step 5:

   

   Pour the water into the pot with the sugar and mint. Use water filtered through a purifier or store-bought. This lets the mint aroma come through more, since the water is softer. Set it over medium heat and bring it to a boil.

6. Step 6:

   

   As soon as the mixture boils, stir in the citric acid. This both improves the flavor and keeps the syrup from crystallizing. You can use lemon juice instead of citric acid, but keep in mind it may slightly mute the menthol aroma.

7. Step 7:

   

   After adding the citric acid, turn the heat down to low and cook the syrup at a gentle simmer for 4 to 5 minutes.

8. Step 8:

   

   Take the pot of mint syrup off the heat and strain it through a fine sieve. Pour it into clean, dry jars and seal them with clean lids. Once cooled, store it in a dark, cool place. If you want a green syrup, add a little green food coloring. It's not exactly healthy, of course, but it looks quite natural and pretty.

9. Step 9:

   

   Thinned a little, this syrup can be used to soak a sponge cake. Add it to brewed tea, make syrup-based cocktails, or stir it into desserts. Enjoy!