It is not easy to quench your thirst on a hot summer day: you want a refreshing taste, not cloying, with a slight sourness ... Then a wonderful combination of lime and mint can come to the rescue. Such a green mix will give coolness and freshness. Mint cocktails are extremely popular, so you should learn a little more about their preparation.
The popularity of peppermint and lime in cocktails
Today, with confidence we can say that in any bar or cafe around the world you can offer a cocktail or dessert, which will include mint and lime. This popularity of this mix is easy to explain. Mint has a very fresh taste. It brings a feeling of coolness and leaves a slight unobtrusive finish. Lime adds to this a sour taste that is not interrupted by excessive smell or sweetness. It is the green fruit that they prefer the usual yellow lemon for making cocktails. Firstly, it has a more saturated sour taste. Secondly, lime does not have a characteristic citrus smell. Mint and lime cocktails are a tradition of soft drinks. Modify this combination each in its own way, depending on tastes and preferences.
Simple recipes
In order to prepare a refreshing and healthy summer drink, you do not need many complex ingredients and intricate actions. Here are some tips for making simple mint and lime smoothies yourself:
- Mix 1 liter of pure water with 0.5 liters of cranberry juice. Add a few drops of peppermint essence or a handful of chopped fresh mint leaves. Chill the drink. Serve with an ice cube in a decorated crumpled glass.
- Mix the juice of one lime with chopped mint leaves and add 1 liter of sparkling mineral water. Cool the drink and serve with ice. If desired, you can add a little sugar or honey.
- Brew green tea without additives along with cinnamon, lime and mint. After cooling, add honey to taste. Dilute with water to the desired strength of the drink. After this, tea should be cooled and served cold with ice cubes.
At home, you can make simple cocktails without much effort. Not only will they quench their thirst on hot days, but they will also be much healthier than bought soft drinks.
Alcoholic cocktails
If any person is asked to recall alcoholic cocktails with mint and lime, then 99% of those surveyed will name Mojito. Indeed, this is a classic that is hard to argue with. Great cocktails are made by professional bartenders. But you can make a decent Mojito yourself. The technique is simple:
- Separate the leaves from several sprigs of mint. Wash them and lay them on the bottom of a large glass. After that, you need to knead them well with a mortar and pestle. If this is not possible, chop it well enough.
- Put 4 slices of lime on the mint, which must also be kneaded until the juice is highlighted.
- Add 50 ml of white rum and 3 teaspoons of sugar.
- Fill the remaining place in the glass with crushed ice and gently mix it with the rest of the contents.
- Fill a glass with chilled mineral sparkling water or sprite.
You can decorate such a cocktail with mint and lime to your liking. For example, bright tubes or umbrellas. You can improvise: add other juices from berries or fruits, use more or less alcohol. But the cooling mint flavor is the hallmark of this cocktail.
Smoothies and Desserts
Mint cocktails can be a great base for summer desserts. The peculiarity of sweet dishes in hot weather is that they are not too fatty and heavy. Smoothie with mint leaves a pleasant feeling of coolness. The drink will relieve cloying and constant thirst. Smoothies and desserts with mint are not difficult to prepare. Here is a simple example of an interesting summer dish:
- You need to mix 200 ml of lime juice and 300 ml of milk. Add 4 tablespoons of sugar to the mixture. Stir thoroughly with a blender.
- After that, add 4 tablespoons of white ice cream to the mixture. Beat with a blender again.
- Pour smoothie into glasses or creamers. Garnish with berries and sprigs of mint. Serve chilled.
Mint and lime go well with any berries, fruits, ice cream, cottage cheese and milk. You can decorate such desserts with nuts and chocolate. Improvise and your desserts will be not only light and refreshing, but also healthy. Peppermint cocktails are a great way to quench your thirst. In addition, you can enjoy a wonderful refreshing taste. And in combination with peppermint and lime with other drinks and products, even the most capricious gourmet can show his imagination and creativity.