Lime and mint spritzer

I have a lovely pot of mint growing which is so pretty but of course now I have to use it as we'll be heading into Autumn soon (well sort of, Autumn with fairly high temps but still, I felt a definite slight coolness in the air while hanging out the clothes the other morning).  I plan on making a mint salad soon by Nigella but then I fancied a minty drink and found one in an old cookbook.



It's very simple but oh so zesty and sparkling!  I'm a bubbly girl when it comes to drinks I have to admit.  This makes a nice alternative to alcohol if that's not your thing (although a shot of vodka or bacardi wouldn't go astray to be honest) and with the healthy addition of fresh herbs and lime juice.  I always forget how gorgeous mint is, and how underused, it's certainly not just a pretty face.









Recipe:



1 cup lime juice, chilled

5 cups chilled mineral water (I used sparkling, naturally)

1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh mint



Sugar syrup

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup caster sugar



Sugar syrup - combine ingredients in small saucepan; stir over heat until sugar dissolves.  Bring to a boil, remove from heat; refrigerate until ice cold.



After the sugar syrup is frosty cold, combine in large jug with lime juice, mineral water and mint - if you feel motivated, muddle the mint in a small amount of lime juice first (I used a mortar and pestle), then add to the rest of the ingredients, it'll bring out the mint flavour.  Serve immediately with ice.



Serves: 4-6



Taken from: Womens Weekly Drinks



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