Mint

Fresh mint is the quintessential cocktail herb, bringing cooling aromatics and bright flavor to drinks like mojitos, mint juleps, and countless modern creations. The essential oils in mint leaves provide both flavor and aroma that create refreshing, garden-fresh cocktails perfect for warm weather entertaining and year-round enjoyment.

Different mint varieties offer unique characteristics for cocktail creation. Spearmint provides classic, sweet mint flavor perfect for traditional mojitos and juleps. Peppermint offers more intense, cooling properties ideal for holiday cocktails and chocolate pairings. Chocolate mint, apple mint, and other specialty varieties allow creative bartenders to explore unique flavor combinations.

Proper mint preparation techniques maximize flavor extraction and visual appeal. Gentle muddling releases essential oils without destroying leaf structure, while slapping mint garnishes against your palm activates aromatics. Over-muddling creates bitter flavors from crushing stems and leaf veins, so technique matters for consistent results.

Classic mint cocktails include the mojito, where muddled mint combines with rum, lime juice, and soda water for refreshing perfection. The mint julep showcases how mint enhances bourbon's natural sweetness, while the southside demonstrates mint's compatibility with gin and citrus combinations.

Fresh mint keeps best stored like cut flowers, with stems in water and leaves covered loosely with plastic bags in the refrigerator. Choose mint with bright green color and strong aroma, avoiding wilted or brown leaves. Grow mint at home for constant fresh supply, but contain it in pots as it spreads aggressively in gardens.