Tag Archive | mint

Homemade Bottles of Creme de Menthe

Dec15
Homemade Bottles of Creme de Menthe

Homemade Bottles of Creme de Menthe

Homemade Bottles of Crème de Menthe make ideal holiday gifts from your kitchen. Perfect for when friends come to call, you can share some of this seasonal sipper with them and then send them home with a bottle too.

You can pick up small glass bottles that are just right for storing this yummy drink at places like Target. Simply attach a tag noting that refrigeration is required.

And if you like making holiday goodies to share with those near and dear then pick up a copy of my latest book, Cooking, Baking, and Making: 100 Recipes and DIY Ideas for All Seasons and Reasons.

Cooking, Baking, and Making: 100 Recipes and DIY Ideas for All Seasons and Reasons

Cooking, Baking, and Making: 100 Recipes and DIY Ideas for All Seasons and Reasons

In it you’ll find easy to make recipes and project ideas to take you through all the seasons of the year. Here are some easy yet elegant holiday ideas featured in the book:

Creamy Eggnog Cupcakes (from Cooking, Baking, and Making)

Creamy Eggnog Cupcakes (from Cooking, Baking, and Making)

Christmas Ornament (from Cooking, Baking, and Making)

Christmas Ornament (from Cooking, Baking, and Making)

Winter Centerpiece (from Cooking, Baking, and Making)

Winter Centerpiece (from Cooking, Baking, and Making)

Here’s to a happy holiday season. Cheers!

Homemade Bottles of Crème de Menthe

1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups water
2 cups fresh mint leaves, torn, divided
Cheesecloth
1 1/4 cups vodka
3 to 4 drops green food color (optional)
Glass bottles such as small milk bottles

In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, water, and 1 cup mint leaves. Heat over medium heat until sugar has dissolved, 3 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat; stir in the remaining 1 cup mint leaves. Let stand four hours, stirring occasionally.

Place a strainer over a pitcher; cover strainer with cheesecloth. Pour mixture into cheesecloth; use a wooden spoon to press on mint. Squeeze cheesecloth to extract as much liquid as possible Remove strainer and cheesecloth. Add vodka and food color, if desired. Stir to combine. Pour into bottles. Cover, and store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Makes 16 servings

Cosmo Mojito

Aug5

As seen on WKTV NEWSChannel 2 Harried Housewife Cosmo Mojito

Cosmo Mojito

Cosmo Mojito

By combining the ingredients of a minty mojito along with the key ingredients of a colorful cosmopolitan, it’s easy to stir up a fresh-tasting beverage brimming with flavor.

A timely indulgence, this icy drink is a fabulous choice when it comes to beating the heat of summer. One thing is certain: enjoying this seasonal sipper at any hot-weather gathering is sure to make a splash.

Cheers!

COSMO MOJITO

4 fresh mint leaves
1 teaspoon sugar
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
3 tablespoons light rum
1 tablespoon orange-flavored liqueur, such as Triple Sec
Crushed ice
1/4 cup cranberry juice cocktail, chilled
Lemon-lime soda or club soda
Lime slices (optional)
Mint sprigs (optional)
Place mint, sugar, and lime juice in a tall glass. With a muddler or back of spoon, crush mint until sugar has dissolved. Stir in rum and orange-flavored liqueur. Fill glass with crushed ice; pour cranberry juice cocktail into glass; top with soda. Stir drink well. Garnish with lime slices and mint sprigs, if desired. Makes 1 serving.

 

Easy Lemon Mint Rice

Jun19

As seen on WKTV NEWSChannel 2 Harried Housewife Easy Lemon Mint Rice

Easy Lemon Mint Rice

Easy Lemon Mint Rice

Looking for a satisfying side dish that will perk up mealtime but doesn’t require a lot of time on preparation? Then this refreshing recipe is for you.

Sprinkled with garden-fresh mint and seasoned with zesty lemon, instant rice gets a savory boost in a matter of minutes. Perfect with any grilled entrée, this quick to prepare recipe will make it easy to spend less time in the kitchen and more time in the great outdoors. Enjoy!

EASY LEMON MINT RICE

2 cups water
1 tablespoon butter
2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon chicken bouillon
1 teaspoon dried minced onions
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups instant rice
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
In a medium saucepan, combine water, butter, lemon zest, bouillon, onions, and salt. Bring to a boil. Stir in rice, lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon mint; remove from heat. Cover, and let stand 10 minutes. Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon mint. Makes 4 servings.

Lemon Mint Iced Tea

Jul30

As seen on WKTV NEWSChannel 2 Harried Housewife Lemon Mint Iced Tea

Lemon Mint Iced Tea

Lemon Mint Iced Tea

Both lemonade and iced tea will cool down the sultry days of summer, but why not combine the two, add freshly picked mint—and savor the ultimate in hot-weather drinks.

Garden-fresh mint steeped with tea combines deliciously with zesty lemon for the ultimate in refreshing taste. Make it extra indulgent by muddling a bit more mint, sugar, and lemon juice in each glass and adding a shot of rum along with the tea mixture. Keep the tea mixture cold in this practical pitcher from Oneida that’s just right for outdoor entertaining.

One thing is certain: A glass of Lemon Mint Iced Tea is the perfect drink for sipping on a beautiful summer day.

LEMON MINT ICED TEA

1 cup sugar
8 cups water
6 regular size tea bags
1 1/2 cups fresh mint leaves
Juice from 4 medium lemons
Ice cubes
Lemon slices
Mint sprigs
In a medium saucepan, combine sugar and 2 cups water. Heat over medium heat until sugar has dissolved, 2 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat. Pour the remaining 6 cups water into a large saucepan; cover and bring to a boil. Remove from heat; add tea bags and mint. Cover and steep for 10 minutes. Strain into a large pitcher. Stir in sugar/water mixture; cover and refrigerate until chilled. Stir in lemon juice. Place ice cubes in glasses; pour lemon mint iced tea over ice cubes; garnish with lemon slices and mint sprigs. Makes 10 servings.

Thanks to Oneida for providing serveware