How To Use Mint Leaves In Cooking

Mint Recipes

Here are all the best mint recipes! Fresh mint is incredibly versatile, great for drinks, salads, desserts….and even pesto.

Got loads of fresh mint? This stuff runs rampant in the summer. Lucky for you, there are so many ways to use this incredible fresh herb! Mint is one of the most versatile of herbs: it works just as well in savory and sweet recipes! Add it to drinks and cocktails for the best refreshing flavor. Pull off beautiful leaves to garnish desserts, or throw it into salads to make a beautiful green pop. You can even use it to make pesto. Here are all our favorite ways to use this beautiful herb.

And now…the best mint recipes to try!

One of the best mint recipes there is: mint water! This mint water tastes minty and incredibly refreshing: and at the same time has no calories or sugar! This unique recipe makes drinking lots of water that much more more fun. It takes only a few minutes of hands on time to whip up a big pitcher.

This mint syrup recipe tastes like pure sweet mint: almost like candy! Drizzle it over fresh ripe peaches or seasonal berries and it's the very best treat. You can also use it to drizzle over vanilla ice cream: we won't judge! It's quick and easy to make, and captures the essence of this tasty herb.

Got fresh mint on hand? Try making mint tea! It's restorative, delicious, and takes just 5 minutes to steep into a flavorful herbal tea. You'll be astounded by the flavor. Mint tea tastes fresh and bright. It's a great way to wake up in the morning as an alternative to coffee. You can make spearmint tea or peppermint tea: use whatever variety of this tasty herb you have on hand.

Mint is fantastic in cocktails...and the most famous recipe? The Mint Julep. You don't have to reserve it for special occasions: this bourbon cocktail is icy and refreshing, perfect for sipping anytime. While it sounds like this is a sweet drink, keep in mind: the Mint Julep is dry and bourbon-forward. If you're not a big whiskey fan, try the whiskey smash instead.

Another top mint recipe? Mint pesto! Did you know you can make mint pesto just like basil pesto? It tastes just as savory and incredible. Use it just like you would a basil pesto. Here we used it in a grilled cheese made on the grill for a tasty way to add herby flavor to a main dish.

Another great mint recipe in the form of a cocktail: the Mojito! Perhaps the most famous mint cocktail, this iconic Cuban drink is one of the greats. Our recipe is perfection: not too sweet, bubbly, and minty fresh. The true version has less sugar and more nuance than what it's become in bars and pre-made mixes. It's perfect for anytime!

Mint is an ideal garnish for desserts! Not only does it look beautiful, it adds herby intrigue. Use it to garnish ripe berries or grilled fruit, and serve over ice cream. For the recipe, slice ripe strawberries, add balsamic vinegar and sugar, and top with mint. It's summer perfection! Also try: Roasted Peaches

Mint is a classic herby filling for fresh spring rolls. This noodle bowl is everything that's great about a spring roll, in bowl form. There's the contrast of crisp veggies, tender noodles, and crunchy crushed peanuts, and an herbaceous punch from the trio of basil, cilantro and mint. And a zingy Sweet Garlic Lime Sauce infuses a gingery, citrusy goodness throughout.

Mint is perfect for salad recipes! Case in point: his French lentil salad. It's full of flavor and so versatile: it works as a healthy lunch idea or a simple side dish for dinners. It's perfect as a summery salad to eat on the patio, or you can eat it in the dead of winter. It's covered in a zingy Dijon dressing and paired with shallots, goat cheese and mint.

Here's another mint cocktail recipe: meet the Southside! It's minty, fresh, and botanical, made with lemon, lime, and gin. It's sweetened just enough: crisp, cool and refreshing. It's perfect for sipping on a cocktail night with friends, or an afternoon cocktail on the patio.

Here's another beautiful example of mint in salads! This refreshingly simple recipe just begging to jump on your table: citrus salad! It stars all the beautiful, vibrant citrus: tangy grapefruit, navel oranges, and sweet blood oranges. They're drizzled with a zingy dressing, then topped crushed pistachios and fresh mint. It's so gorgeous that you can't help but eat it!

Last up in our mint recipes: sangria! There's something evenmore refreshing than the classic red wine punch: white sangria! White sangria is made with white wine instead of red wine. Peaches, green apple and fresh mint make for the best flavor: crisp, sweet tart, and herbaceous.

Mint benefits

While not all recipes above use a large quantity of mint, drinking mint tea or mint water is a good way to get more mint in your life! (Or making that mint pesto…yum!) Mint is known to have health benefits such as:

soothing upset stomachs
relieving headaches
boosting your energy

Read more about the Health Benefits of Mint here. See also: How to Store Mint

Description

Looking for a refreshing drink with no calories or sugar? This easy mint water recipe is minty fresh and made in mere minutes of hands-on time.

¼ cup fresh mint leaves, loosely packed
1 cup boiling water
7 cups (64 ounces) cold water

In a heat proof bowl or liquid measuring cup, add the mint leaves and boiling water. Let stand for 15 minutes, then stir in 2 ice cubes.
Discard the mint and place the mint water in a pitcher. Add the cold water.
Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving, more if time. Flavor is best within 1 day.

Category: Drink
Method: Raw
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Mint Recipes, Mint Water

More herb recipes

Summer is the best time to cook with herbs! Here are a few more of our collections of recipes with fresh herbs:

Basil Recipes Basil is king in the summer! Try pesto, pizza, pasta and more.
Cilantro Recipes Cilantro is all about big flavor! It's perfect in sauces, salsa, and guacamole.
Thyme Recipes There's almost nothing that a sprig of fresh thyme doesn't make better.
Dill Recipes Dill has a unique flavor! Try it in dips, potato salad, and of course…pickles.
Tarragon Vinegar Make DIY vinegar with this fresh herb! It's easy to infuse subtle herby flavor, great for salad dressings and roasted vegetables.
Chives Recipes The best recipes with this garlicky, oniony fresh herb, from dips to potato soup.
Parsley Recipes Parsley adds an herby brightness, perfect for salads and main dishes.
Rosemary Recipes This herb's evergreen flavor is perfect for adding flavor to potatoes, breads, dips and more.