Fresh Mint Simple Syrup (Great for Cocktails!)

This mint simple syrup is so fresh and easy to make, and it's essential for your next batch of mojitos.

All you need is 2 ingredients - just some fresh spearmint leaves and sugar - and around 10 minutes plus steeping time to infuse the mint flavor.

Jump to Recipe

Want to make this recipe perfectly the first time? I want to help with that. So, check out this Table of Contents to see which sections of this post will help you the most.

Jump to:

• 🤷‍♀️ What is a simple syrup?
• ❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
• 🧅 Main Ingredients + Notes
• 🔪 Recommended Equipment
• 📝 How to make mint simple syrup, step by step:
• 👩‍🍳 Preparation Tips
• 💡Ideas for Possible Variations
• 🍽 Ways to Use Mint Simple Syrup
• 🙋‍♀️ Can you use mint extract instead of mint leaves?
• 🙋‍♀️ What's the best way to store mint simple syrup?
• Fresh Mint Simple Syrup

Having syrups on hand makes it so easy to make cocktails like mojitos, Moscow Mules, Mint Juleps or your favorite mocktail. I also use it in this watermelon wine cooler and add it to hot cocoa in the winter.

🤷‍♀️ What is a simple syrup?

Regular simple syrup is sugar water made with equal parts water and sugar. It's always heated so that the sugar completely dissolves into the water. I've made it on the stovetop and microwave oven.

Simple syrup is a popular ingredient for cocktails and other drinks, as it mixes into cold drinks easily. Flavored simple syrups are also great for desserts such as drizzling over ice cream and moistening cakes.

Rich simple syrup uses a ratio of 2 parts sugar to 1 part water. Mixologists often use this rich simple syrup in cocktail recipes as it makes the drink just a little lusher in the mouth.

❤️ Why you'll love this recipe

• It's super easy to make.
• It provides a shortcut in making cocktails that call for muddled mint leaves.
• It stays fresher longer in the refrigerator than fresh mint.
• Adjust the steep time to dial in exactly how minty you want the syrup to taste.
• The best, fresh mint flavor!

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📝 How to make mint simple syrup, step by step:

Making your own simple syrup is so simple to do. Here are step by step instructions to give you the best results!

Step 1

Combine water and sugar. Add the water to a small saucepan over medium heat, and stir in the sugar.

Step 2

Dissolve the sugar. Heat the water enough that the sugar dissolves and the edges around the saucepan begin to simmer. Stir a few times with a spoon as needed. At this point, the sugar should be completely absorbed into the water.

Step 3

Add fresh mint. Remove the saucepan from the heat, and add the mint leaves to the simple syrup. Use a spoon to submerge all of the leaves into syrup. Be sure to only add mint leaves, no stems. The stem would make the syrup a little bitter.

Step 4

Steep. Allow the leaves to steep for at least 15 minutes. Steep longer for a stronger mint flavor. The sweet spot for me, so to speak, is 30 minutes, or when it cools to room temperature.

Although some recipes call for a much longer steeping, be aware that too long can risk a bitter taste to the finished syrup.

Step 5

Strain. Place a measuring cup or bowl under a fine mesh strainer, and pour the contents of the saucepan into the strainer. Discard the mint leaves, and pour the mint syrup into a jar, or other airtight container, and store in the refrigerator.

👩‍🍳 Preparation Tips

• Only use fresh mint leaves that are completely undamaged.
• Don't include stems from the mint sprigs.
• Remove the simple syrup from the heat before adding the mint leaves. Otherwise, the finished syrup could be a little bitter.

💡Ideas for Possible Variations

• Swap out a little of the water for lemon juice, lime juice or orange juice to add a citrus flavor to the finished syrup.
• Add lavender (fresh or dried) to the simple syrup along with the mint.
• Add a few slices of a peaches or nectarine to steep with the mint. Be sure to peel the fruit first to prevent any bitterness in the finished syrup.

🍽 Ways to Use Mint Simple Syrup

• In drinks, such as cocktails, hot cocoa, coffee, iced tea, and mocktails.
• Drizzle over ice cream (especially chocolate ice cream!)
• If serving fruit for dessert, drizzle a little of this homemade mint syrup over it before serving. Or use it over a fruit salad.
• Brush on cakes to moisten, such as a genoise sponge cake, before frosting.
• Add to club soda for a refreshing drink.
• Pour into pretty bottles for gifts!

🙋‍♀️ Can you use mint extract instead of mint leaves?

Yes. Mint Extract is a combination of mild spearmint leaves and more the intense peppermint leaves. If you use Mint Extract, start with 5 drops, and add more as desired.

I do not recommend substituting Peppermint Extract. Peppermint and spearmint are two different varieties of mint, and peppermint has a significantly higher concentration of menthol. Menthol is the characteristic that give mint its unique cooling flavor.

🙋‍♀️ What's the best way to store mint simple syrup?

• Store any plain simple syrup or flavored simple syrup in a mason jar, or other airtight container, in the refrigerator.
• Mint syrup will last in the refrigerator for 2 - 3 weeks.
• If you want to keep the syrup for longer than 3 weeks, you can freeze it for up to 6 months. Freeze in an airtight container or as ice cubes for adding to cold drinks.

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