Carolyn J. Braden • 2 Minute Read
How to Make Mint Simple Syrup a Recipe for Sweet Tea or Mint Juleps
My Nani, my maternal grandma, was one of my best friends. We shopped together, traveled together, went to fun events together (we loved The Nutcracker ballet) and cooked together. As I got older, I started remembering the recipes she had me create with her and her mint julep was one that is not to be forgotten. Anytime I make anything with her mint, I think of her.
You can use this mint simple syrup for mint juleps
I actually rooted lots of mint from her home before we sold it in 2007. She got it from her mom’s yard, and I wanted to keep the tradition going by always having some of her mint to use for Derby season recipes. I’ve even brought it to Florida and since we can’t grow it in the sandy soil here, I keep several planters going with it. Peppermint is a very hardy plant as even Hurricane Ian and all the wind and flood waters didn’t kill it, thank goodness!
Did you know: Peppermint can be used to help with digestion. Ever wonder why some restaurants give you a peppermint with your bill? It’s not just for fresh breath…it’s also for your tummy! We also like peppermint hot tea when we aren’t feeling well too. Read more about the medical benefits of mint on the Medical News Today website.
We love this simple syrup in tea
In my Nani’s mint julep version, you muddle the mint (you must use peppermint, not spearmint), but there was no strainer involved. So, you would often get little pieces of mint stuck in your teeth after devouring one of her mint juleps. This wasn’t terrible, but I figured out a way to make them easier to make and the mint won’t get stuck in your teeth.
Another recipe inspired by my Nani: Nani’s Apple Cake! Get the recipe on my website OR in the 1 minute video below or via my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden:
This recipe is also great because it can quickly serve a crowd. Any Derby party I attended as an adult with friends, I was in charge of making the mint juleps (it’s a traditional and signature drink served at The Kentucky Derby) and when you have to muddle a lot of mint, it takes a long time to make them. But they were in demand, so I worked quick to muddle, strain and serve, but with my mint simple syrup recipe, you can make it in advance and serve up drinks very quickly.
This mint julep is a Kentucky Derby staple
Over time, I realized that the mint simple syrup recipe I create could also be used for a minty sweet tea. Sweet tea was commonly served up in our hometown of Louisville, KY and is considered to be a southern staple. If you ask for tea in many southern states, it will be served to you sweetened unless you ask for it not to be.
Now for the recipe! To make this delicious and refreshing mint simple syrup (simple syrup is basically sugar water that you can sweeten many drinks with), you’ll need the following ingredients:
Tools: Large glass bowl (or any large mixing bowl), wooden spoon and small bowl or a mortar and pestle, fine mesh strainer set , medium sauce pan, glasses (we used my Nani’s vintage Derby glasses for the mint juleps but used these beautiful turquoise glasses from Walmart for our sweet tea), measuring cup and tablespoon/teaspoon set (we are loving the Thyme and Table line at Walmart!), I store mine in an air tight swing top glass bottle
Time: 15-30 minutes + cooling time
Servings: 15-20 or more (depending on how sweet you like your drinks)
See me create this mint simple syrup in the one minute video below or via my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden:
Ingredients:
10 sprigs of fresh peppermint (NOT spearmint as we’ve tested it and it does not work flavor-wise…in our opinion spearmint makes it taste like toothpaste!)
2 cups sugar (I used cane sugar but you could use white sugar)
2 cups filtered water
Directions:
1—Rinse sprigs of mint and muddle them slightly to release the juices either using a mortar and pestle or using a wooden spoon and a bowl
Muddling the mint
2—Place sugar in a medium pot
I used cane sugar for my simple syrup but you could use white sugar
3— Place water into the pot with the sugar
I used filtered water for this recipe
4—Place the pot onto the stovetop and bring to a boil on high heat (put the lid on to speed up the boil process)
This recipe boils quickly
5—Once boiling, reduce heat to low and place the muddled mint into the sugar water and stir.
Adding the mint to the sugar water
6—Simmer for 15-20 minutes. It will slightly thicken and reduce in amount as it simmers.
Simmering the mint
7—Remove from stovetop and place a fine mesh strainer over a large mixing bowl and pour the mint simple syrup over the strainer into the bowl (which allows the mint to stay in the strainer and not in the syrup!)
A fine mesh strainer keeps the mint out of the syrup
8—Allow the simple syrup to cool for about 30 minutes. I then decanted mine into a bottle that sealed so it could be kept easily in the fridge.
The finished mint simple syrup
9—Add about 1 tablespoon of the mint simple syrup (add more or less depending on how sweet you like your drinks) to hot tea, iced tea or mint juleps!
Decanting the syrup
10—Drink and enjoy!
Use more or less simple syrup depending on how sweet you like your drinks
Tips and tricks + mint julep recipe:
For my Nani’s mint julep, I’ll write up another article for that recipe, but you can try it with these directions: add ice to a 10 oz. glass, add 1-2 tbs mint simple syrup, a shot of bourbon (we love Four Roses but my Nani loved Maker’s Mark), 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, cold filtered water to top it off, and add a sprig of mint for garnish. Drink and enjoy.
This will keep in a fridge for about a week if you keep it in a sealed container. You could try freezing it in ice cube trays too!
You can make this simple syrup recipe and omit the mint if you just need plain simple syrup. You can also add other flavors to it using lemon peel, orange peel or other herbs.
You can find fresh peppermint at most grocery stores in the refrigerated herb section. I have not tested using dried peppermint, but it may be able to work.
The mint simple syrup
Did you try this recipe or create your own version? Let us know in the comments below!
If you loved this article, we know you’ll love this one too: How to Make Boozy Grapes
Carolyn J. (C.J.) Braden is the owner of Carolyn’s Blooming Creations is a regular contributor and editor for CBC. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Ways To Help You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her visiting our About Us page.