Apple-Lime-Mint Spritzer
Susie Middleton

 

Apple-Lime-Mint Spritzer

---

You meet the most interesting people when you have a farm stand in your back yard. Our farm stand sits close to the house, and when customers get out of their cars, they get a great view of the garden. Some even wander over to take a look at our chickens. Since I am often outside working, I get to meet them.

Recently, I was chatting with a lady who'd just returned from a trip to Paris with her husband. She had her eye on our "pick your own mint" patch (which is actually mint planted in an old dresser drawer -- very cute!), because she wanted to recreate a drink she had in Paris. She told me it was a (non-alcoholic) combination of lime juice, apple juice and mint, with lots of ice and a splash of soda. I didn't get any more details, but the notion of making one of these stuck in my head. It sounded so refreshing, and I love any concoction that takes advantage of the lime-mint synchronicity.

Back at my desk, I did a quick Google search of similar drinks and couldn't find one just like that. But since the drink sounded a bit like a mojito to me, I decided to follow the method in a mojito recipe by Jen Armentrout at Finecooking.com. I started out by using the handle of a wooden spoon to "muddle" the mint with a little bit of sugar (not too much, since apple juice is sweet, also). I added a pretty generous amount of freshly squeezed lime juice, a little apple juice, lots of crushed ice and a bit of club soda. It was delicious and a dead-on thirst quencher.

I drank the whole thing right up, as I seem to be constantly thirsty from working outside. I've no doubt you could sip on one, too (and even add a splash of your favorite spirit), in the cool shade of a maple -- or a palm -- tree.

Apple-Lime-Mint Spritzer

I have a wonderful old wooden spoon that's about 2 feet long (I think it must have been used for candy making) and has a thick handle perfect for "muddling" the sugar and mint. But look around your kitchen and you'll likely find something (shorter!) that will work. To make crushed ice, put ice cubes in a zip-top bag and bang with a wooden meat mallet or other heavy object.

Serves 1.

6 to 8 big peppermint or spearmint leaves, plus an extra sprig for garnish

1 tablespoon sugar

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

1/4 cup apple juice

Crushed ice

Club soda, to taste

Put the mint leaves and the sugar in a tall glass. Crush the mint leaves with the handle of a wooden spoon until the mint is macerated and broken up. (The sugar will have a green tint.) Add the lime juice and stir well. Add the apple juice and a generous amount of crushed ice. Top off with club soda. (Start with a small amount of soda, taste and add more if you like.) Garnish with a mint sprig.

Libations, American Cuisine

 

 RSS

 

MORE RECIPES:   More Recipes ... ALL RECIPES APPETIZERS SOUPS PASTA SALADS MAIN COURSES SEAFOOD CHICKEN PORK LAMB BEEF / VEAL VEGETARIAN SIDE DISHES DESSERT HEALTHY WOLFGANG PUCK

Recent Recipes

 

More Recipes

Apple-Lime-Mint Spritzer

Copyright © 2012 Tribune Media Services Inc.