Mint Lime Refresher

crispy mint cocktail that's somewhere between a classic gimlet and a mojito

I’ll admit, I’m usually out the second a recipe tells me to muddle something. It sounds fussy, and when you’ve got little kids running around and dinner half-started, there’s not a lot of room for bartender theatrics.

But this one surprised me. “Muddling” simply means gently pressing the mint leaves for a few seconds to release their oils. It takes last than 30 second and is the secret to giving this cocktail the perfect flavor.

Ingredients for 1 cocktail

• Sugar, for the rim

• 6-8 fresh mint leaves

• 3/4 ounce simple syrup

• 1 ounce fresh lime juice

• 2 ounces white rum (could also use vodka)

• Ice

• Fresh mint sprig, for garnish

Instructions

1. Run a lime wedge around the rim of a coupe or rocks glass and dip into sugar.

2. Add the mint leaves and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker. Gently muddle for about 15–20 seconds, just until the mint becomes fragrant.

3. Pour in the lime juice and white rum. Fill the shaker with ice.

4. Shake vigorously until the shaker is ice cold.

5. Strain into your prepared glass (or pour over fresh ice if serving in a rocks glass).

6. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig.

Ingredients for 4 cocktails

• Sugar, for the rim

• ~30 fresh mint leaves

• 3 ounces simple syrup

• 4 ounces fresh lime juice

• 8 ounces white rum (could also use vodka)

• 2 ounces cold water

• Ice

• Fresh mint sprig, for garnish

Instructions

1. Add the mint leaves and simple syrup to the bottom of a pitcher. Using a wooden spoon or muddler, gently press the mint several times until fragrant. Don’t pulverize the leaves. You just want to release their oils.

2. Stir in the lime juice, vodka, and cold water.

3. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 4 hours). This lets the mint infuse the cocktail even more.

4. When ready to serve, fill sugar-rimmed glasses with ice.

5. Stir the pitcher well and pour over ice.

6. Garnish each glass with a fresh mint sprig.