Simple Syrup

You can find many simple syrup recipes on the web. Check them out! Since we use a lot of simple syrup in our kitchen, I like to avoid using the white processed sugar and instead buy a bag of this stuff. Any brand that is an evaporated cane juice works great. I think simple syrup made from this tastes better. I use this in my Duet Mint Mojito recipe and in the homemade lemonade that I make. I also make a batch, adding vanilla for our lattes or cold brew coffee.

All you have to do is put a 1:1 ratio together. Heat it in the microwave or on the stove until the sugar melts. Stir often. Let cool and keep in your favorite container in the fridge. The ratio I make is 1 cup water and 1 cup of the sugar.

And, did you know that you can make your own hummingbird recipe in a similar fashion? Don’t buy that red stuff in the store. Just add a cup of water to a 1/4 cup of sugar. Heat it up. Cool it down. Add it to your feeder.

Duet Mint Mojito

This mojito recipe I created is EXTRA special for two reasons.  It uses a simple syrup made with natural sugar (recipe here) and it uses TWO kinds of mint from my garden: spearmint and apple mint.  The spearmint gives it a kick, grabbing your taste buds when you take your first sip.  But the apple mint?  Oh my.  The hint of “apple” makes it so smooth as it is going down.

But what if you don’t have any natural sugar or fresh mint from the garden on hand?  Never fear.  Make your syrup from the sugar you have and grab some fresh mint from the grocery.  While it won’t be extra special it will still be VERY good.

That said, maybe this post will encourage you to grow some (or more kinds of) mint.  If you have never grown anything and think it might be fun to start, mint is great for beginning gardeners. I grow all mine in pots.

Ok….on to the recipe.