Mint Conditioning
Do we sip Mint Juleps every May because it is the official drink of the Kentucky Derby or is the Mint Julep the official drink of the Kentucky Derby because May is when spearmint seems to be sprouting everywhere? If you’re a fan of the crisp, sweet and herbaceous leaves, it is time to enjoy its charms in a spectrum of drinks, not limited to Juleps. Pick some leaves and have your pick of these non-Bourbon mint cocktails.
If you don’t grow mint or have volunteers of the invasive herb in your yard, your grocery store’s produce section is bound to stock it. You’ll need a good muddling stick, basically a pestle that looks like a baseball bat except that you hold it counterintuitively by the round end. Use it to gently coax the mint’s menthol charms from the delicate leaves. Too much force and the herb exudes bitter notes.
We like the story that the South Side originated on Al Capone’s turf: Chicago’s South Side. But the drink was evolving long before Prohibition as a sort of mint fizz. Now, it’s a sparkling combination of spearmint melded with the like-minded herbs that typically inform gin, boosted by some citrus. Lemon is the traditional fruit, but lime has its proponents and they’ve even been known to duet.
The Scotch Mint Smash recalls the Julep, but offers a more nuanced flavor compared with sugar-forward, corn-based spirits. The wide spectrum of Scotch whiskies opens myriad possibilities for tweaking this mixture of lemon juice, simple syrup and mint. A Highland choice might bring a fruit note. A Lowland spirit offers a delicate floral quality. Peaty Scotch gives the drink gravitas and quality blends come with nuance.
The Mojito is, of course, a favorite cigar partner. Born in Cuba, it riffs on the Julep, but substitutes rum for whiskey, adds lime juice to the minty mix and is served in a highball glass with cubes, instead of crushed ice. Taken to the next level, it becomes a Kew Garden (an invention of master mixologist Jim Meehan) when made with cucumbers and elderflower liqueur.
You may have seen Moscow Mules garnished with mint leaves. But it’s a waste to use the greenery just for show when it can be muddled and weaves so seamlessly into this mix of vodka and lime juice with ginger beer.
South Side Cocktail
6 mint leaves
1 oz. lemon juice, freshly squeezed (or ½ oz. lemon and ½ oz. lime)
2 oz. gin
3/4 oz. simple syrup
Garnish: mint sprig
Gently muddle five mint leaves with juice in the bottom of a mixing glass. Add gin and simple syrup and shake until chilled. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with the remaining mint leaf.
