Mint Syrup
A sweet syrup infused with mint, used to add cool, herbal flavor without muddling fresh leaves.
Origin
A bartender's infused simple syrup, made by steeping fresh mint in hot sugar syrup, following the same basic technique as other flavored bar syrups.
History
Mint syrup exists as a practical solution to the same problem all infused syrups solve: delivering a consistent, evenly distributed flavor that muddling fresh leaves alone can't always guarantee, especially useful for large-batch or high-volume mint drinks like the Mojito or Mint Julep. It became especially popular during the craft cocktail revival's renewed emphasis on precise, made-in-house ingredients.
Flavor profile
Clean, cooling mint flavor in a pourable, sweetened liquid form.
Tasting notes
A consistent, evenly distributed mint flavor without the bitterness risk of over-muddled fresh leaves, useful for batch cocktails or when precise, repeatable mint intensity matters more than fresh-muddled texture.
Substitutes
- Fresh mint muddled directly with simple syrup, as a fresher, more textured alternative.
- Creme de menthe, understanding it adds alcohol and a more candy-like intensity.
- Peppermint extract stirred into simple syrup, as a quick homemade approximation.