Mint is probably one of my favorite herbs because it smells heavenly and you can use it for both sweet and savory dishes and drinks.
Whether you muddle, blend or just let it steep in tea, aside from having a refreshing delicious flavor, mint has a lot of healthy benefits including containing vitamins, minerals and aiding in digestion to name a few.
You can practically add mint to any fruit and it will definitely give brightness and pizzazz. My favorite summer fruits to blend with mint are mangoes and watermelon. I love the colors and, of course, the flavor.
You can kick up these summer refreshers a notch by adding your favorite vodka, rum or tequila. Cheers!
MINTED MANGO SLUSH
Yield: 48 Fluid Ounces (6 Cups)
INGREDIENTS:
2 Cups Mangoes, ripe, diced (approximately 16 oz. wt.)
1 Cup Lemonade or Limeade
4 Cups Crushed Ice
10 each Mint Leaves, fresh
¼ Cup Lemonade or Limeade
¼ Cup Crushed Ice
2 Tablespoons Agave (Optional)
DIRECTIONS:
Using a blender, place diced mangoes, 1 cup of lemonade and 4 cups of crushed ice.
In a cup, place fresh mint leaves, ¼ cup of lemonade or limeade and crushed ice. Muddle mint well.
Add the muddled mint to the blender.
Blend until smooth.
Adjust desired sweetness with Agave.
Serve in a chilled glass and garnish with fresh mint leaves.
WATERMELON MUDDLED LEMONADE
Yield: 16 Fluid Ounces (2 Cups)
INGREDIENTS:
1 Cup Watermelon, diced (approximately 8 oz. wt.)
5 each Mint Leaves, fresh
¼ Cup Lemonade or Limeade
¼ Cup Crushed Ice
As Needed Crushed Ice
As Needed Lemonade or Limeade
DIRECTIONS:
In a pint glass, place diced watermelon, fresh mint leaves, ¼ cup of lemonade or limeade and crushed ice. Muddle watermelon and mint well.
Top it off with crushed ice then top it off with lemonade or limeade.
Garnish with fresh mint leaves.