Topic: Mint cordial

[antipodes]

If you have loads of feral mint taking over any patch of your plot, here is a good use for it. Use it in cold water or soda water, or in cocktail (I think a dash in a Mojito would be lovely). This makes roughly 1.5 litres.

300g fresh mint, washed, which is basically several big bunches
1 litre of water
1.2kg sugar
(Yes you can reduce or increase quantities proportionally).

Chop up the stems of mint roughly and bruise it.
Boil the water and pour over the mint in a bowl, and steep the mint in the water for 24 hours, covered.
The next day, wring out the mint getting all the drops of juice out.
Dissolve the sugar into it then boil for 2-3 minutes.
Cool and bottle.

[1066]

I like mint drinks, tea, or with lemon etc, but hadn't thought of using it just by itself. Thanks  :)

[Jeannine]

Antipodes, this is OK to prepare and use quickly as if you were making say fresh orange juice, but iou cannot bottle it and keep it..mint is the same as any other low acid food, eg veggies  and canning/bottling it  without pressure canning for the appropriate time  is  dangeous for botulism.

It is very low acid and runs a high risk

XX Jeannine

[antipodes]

Even though it is filled with sugar? And was boiled during preparation?

[Jeannine]

Sorry , sugar does not help the acid content and boiling is not a high enough temperature.Even adding vinegar or lemon juice would not help with greenery,,it is very low acid not even borderline like tomatoes so you can't adjust it.

XX Jeannine