Mint Simple Syrup

This mint simple syrup infuses a hint of herby freshness to all your drinks! Make craft cocktails with this easy DIY recipe.

Want a way to freshen up all your drinks? Try this mint simple syrup! You’ll be amazed at the amount of beautifully minty flavor comes from this easy DIY recipe. Take one taste and it’s almost like that first chomp onto a stick of mint gum. (Really!) It makes for a killer herby nuance in craft cocktails, and it’s fantastic for mocktails. Simply add soda water and ice and you’ve got a mint fresh drink! Here’s what you need to know.

Ingredients for mint simple syrup

All you need are three ingredients for mint simple syrup. Yes, it’s that simple (sorry, couldn’t help ourselves). You’ll need:

• Sugar
• Water
• Fresh mint leaves

A note on the sugar to use

You can use any type of sugar for simple syrup! Here’s something to consider about different types of sugar:

• Granulated sugar is the most processed type of sugar, but when it comes to sugars: they all are chock full of sugar and calories! White sugar makes a clear-colored simple syrup.
• Organic cane sugar or coconut sugar also work. Since they are browner in color than white sugar, they turns the simple syrup a yellow brown color. This isn’t an issue with flavor, but it does change the color the drink.
• Brown sugar isn’t usually used for simple syrup because it comes out very dark and has a subtle molasses flavor. You could certainly use it, but it would work better with winter drinks (and could work well with an herb like rosemary).

How to make mint simple syrup: a few tips

The simple syrup process is so simple…once you do it once, you can memorize it and make it on repeat! Here’s what to know:

• Use equal parts water and sugar. We used ½ cup of each in the recipe below, which makes 10 tablespoons. For us, that’s plenty for a specialty ingredient. But you can certainly make bigger batches for entertaining, etc.
• Bring to a simmer with mint, then remove heat and sit for 20 minutes. The main concept behind a flavored simple syrup is letting the herb steep at room temperature in the warm syrup. You’ll be surprised at how much flavor infuses in just 20 minutes.
• Strain and refrigerate. Technically you could leave the herb in the jar (like in these photos), but it’s easiest to work with when you strain it out. Refrigerate for up 1 month!

How to keep leftover fresh mint? Go to How to Store Mint.

5 drinks to make with mint simple syrup

This mint simple syrup has the best fresh flavor. Take a small sip of it and your tastebuds are instantly overwhelmed with the herbaceous pop! Use it to make killer craft cocktails, or just as killer mocktails. Here are some ideas:

1. Mint spritzer (mocktail)

Pour soda water in a glass and stir in mint syrup to taste. Spritz with a lime wedge if you’d like. Easy peasy!

2. Mint gimlet

• 2 ounces gin
• ½ ounce lime juice
• ½ ounce mint simple syrup

Add ingredients to a cocktail shaker. Fill with ice and shake until cold, then strain into a glass. (See Gin Gimlet for more.)

3. Mint daiquiri / shortcut Mojito

• 1 ½ ounces white rum
• 1 ounce lime juice
• ½ ounce mint simple syrup

Add ingredients to a cocktail shaker. Fill with ice and shake until cold, then strain into a glass. Serve with ice and soda water as a Mojito. (See Classic Daiquiri and Mojito for more.)

4. Mint Collins

• 2 ounces gin
• 1 ounce lemon juice
• ¾ to 1 ounce mint simple syrup
• ½ cup soda water
• Ice (try our clear ice!)

Add the ingredients to a cocktail shaker with 4 ice cubes. Shake well until chilled. Strain into an ice filled glass, and top off the glass with soda water. Garnish with a lemon wheel and cocktail cherry. (See Tom Collins for more.)

5. Southside

• 2 ounces gin
• ½ ounce each lime juice and lemon juice
• ½ ounce mint simple syrup

Add ingredients to a cocktail shaker. Fill with ice and shake until cold, then strain into a glass. To make it a Southside Fizz, add soda water! (See Southside or Southside Fizz for more.)

And that’s it! Let us know what ideas you have for this mint simple syrup, and how you like to serve it.

More simple syrup recipes

You can make craft cocktails and mocktails with all sorts of simple syrup recipes! Here are some more ideas:

• Lavender simple syrup This delicate syrup is great in a Tom Collins or a bubbly French 75.
• Ginger simple syrup Adds a zingy flavor to a sour, the Penicillin, and more.
• Rosemary simple syrup This pine-scented syrup works with bourbon and in a Greyhound.

This mint simple syrup recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free.

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