Cocktails with Fresh mint leaves
Fresh mint leaves are the aromatic leaves of Mentha herbs, most often spearmint, used to add a cool, green freshness to cocktails.
Substitutes for Fresh mint leaves
Basil or lemon balm swaps in leaf for leaf and gives an honest, different freshness; a barspoon of mint syrup also works, with the sugar in the build cut back. The leaf is here for the smell above the glass, not for flavor in the liquid, so anything you cannot put your nose into is not really a substitute.
Often confused with
Peppermint
Sharper, colder and much higher in menthol, and it reads medicinal in a julep, which is why bars stock spearmint.
Curly mint
A spearmint variety with a crinkled leaf: sweeter and softer, and the leaf holds its shape longer in the glass. A mojito or a julep takes it just as well.
Storage
Stems in water like cut flowers, loosely covered, in the fridge for a few days. Bruised leaves blacken within hours, so handle the bunch by the stems. Pick the garnish sprigs first, while they are perfect, and use the rest for muddling.
