Lime Mint Spritzers Food

LIME-MINT SPRITZERS

Steps:

• Finely chop the mint leaves. Place the chopped mint leaves in a bowl or non-reactive pitcher and press them with a pestle or the back of a spoon to release the oils. Add the sugar and press the mint leaves and sugar together with the back of a spoon. Add the lime juice and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved and no longer grainy.
• If you haven't been mixing the mint and sugar in a pitcher, transfer to a glass or plastic pitcher. Right before serving, add the sparkling water and serve immediately over ice. Garnish with lime slices and mint leaves.

LIME SPRITZER

Steps:

• For the simple syrup: Heat the sugar, water, lime zest, and ginger in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat to boiling. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, and then remove from the heat. Add the lime juice and let the flavors infuse the syrup for at least 15 minutes while it cools. Strain the syrup, if you wish, and keep in the refrigerator until ready to use.
• For the drink: Rub a lime wedge around the lip of the glasses to moisten and then dip in salt or sugar to decorate the glasses, if desired. Pour 1 or 2 tablespoons of the lime syrup into each glass and top with sparkling water. Garnish with a wedge of lime.
• Cook's Note: Sparkling wine can be used instead of water, if desired.

LYCHEE-MINT SPRITZERS

Steps:

• Muddle 8 mint leaves with 2 teaspoons sugar in a cocktail shaker. Add 4 canned lychees, 1/4 cup syrup from the can, 3 ounces vodka and a squeeze of lime juice; shake with ice. Strain into 2 ice-filled glasses; top with seltzer. Repeat to make more drinks. Garnish with mint and lime.

LIME-ONCELLO SPRITZERS WITH MINT

Steps:

• To make limoncello:
• Using a vegetable peeler, remove the peel from the limes in long strips (reserve the limes for another use).
• Place the lime peels in a 1-quart jar.
• Pour the vodka over the peels and screw on the lid.
• Steep the lime peels in the vodka for 1 week at room temperature.
• Stir the sugar and water in a large saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes.
• Cool completely, then stir in the vodka mixture.
• Strain the liquids into bottles, pressing on the peels to extract as much liquid as possible.
• Seal the bottles and refrigerate until cold, at least 4 hours and up to 1 month.
• To make spritzers:
• Fill 4 tall glasses halfway with ice.
• Add the mint leaves.
• Using the handle of a wooden spoon, coarsely crush the mint leaves into the ice.
• Pour some limoncello over, and stir to blend.
• Add a splash of club soda and serve.

MINT JULEP SPRITZER

Steps:

• Mix fresh lemon juice, sugar, and fresh mint leaves in small bowl until sugar dissolves; press on mint with back of spoon to crush lightly. Let stand 30 minutes. Strain mint and lemon mixture into pitcher. Mix in bourbon, then club soda and ice. Pour into 8 tall glasses. Garnish each drink with mint sprig.