If you’re looking for mixed drinks that are refreshing and have a clean, fresh taste, it’s hard to beat fresh mint cocktails.
Even just as a garnish, you get plenty of taste and aroma.
I love mint cocktails – especially around the holidays.
But they’re also super tasty in the summer. (Hello, Mint Julep, you delicious beauty!)
Just remember that a small amount of mint goes a long way. So if you’re not used to it, start out slow.
Once you get the taste for it, though, I bet you’ll add it to everything!
Now, let’s check out some spectacular mint cocktails.
1. Mint Julep
If you don’t mind the strong taste of bourbon and love the rich earthiness of mint, then the mint julep is probably the drink for you.
You’ll muddle the mint in the bottom of the glass to release its fresh scent and taste, and then you’ll add your simple syrup and other ingredients.
If the deep, woodsy taste of the bourbon is too intense for you, try adding more simple syrup to help sweeten the drink some.
A little extra water will tone it down even more.
2. Cucumber Mint Gimlet
If somehow you haven’t yet tried them, believe me when I tell you that cucumber and mint were meant to be together.
They’re simply the ideal combination.
This garden-fresh, minty drink is like cucumber water with a kick, and you’ll experience some serious spa vibes while drinking it.
3. Mojito
There are few mixed drinks in this world that I love more than I love a good mojito, and this recipe for the mojito is excellent.
It’s an unbelievably invigorating drink that tastes like lightly sweetened mint leaves. (Think Doublemint gum but better.)
Thanks to the soda water, it’s also wonderfully fizzy and will make your nose tingle in the best way possible while you’re drinking it.
4. Cucumber Mint Margaritas
If you like mojitos but prefer drinks that are less sweet and have a more robust alcohol flavor, then try a cucumber mint margarita instead.
It’s cool, crisp, and loaded with smooth blanco tequila.
And if you’ve never tried any cucumber cocktails before, prepare to fall in love.
5. Gin Gin Mule
The gin gin mule is for anyone who enjoys the intense, spiced, and pungent flavor of ginger.
This sparkly drink is just as easy to make as all the rest.
You’ll combine muddled mint sprigs, lime juice, simple syrup, gin, and ginger beer. You’ll also use more mint and lime wedges for garnishes.
The mint and simple syrup help balance out the almost overwhelming flavor of the ginger, but if you’re not a fan of the herb, this probably isn’t the drink for you.
6. Strawberry Mint Smash
If you prefer something sweeter and fruitier, try this recipe for the strawberry mint smash.
The strawberries and honey add a tart sweetness that masks the vodka flavor.
The mint leaves bring a light freshness, while the lime and club soda make the drink zesty, fizzy, and fun.
It’s not an entirely sweet drink; there’s too much tartness for that.
But if you prefer to drink cocktails that taste like they have no alcohol in them, the strawberry mint smash is the way to go.
7. The Saint
This transparent, bubbly drink may look simple enough, but there is a lot going on in that glass.
The most prominent notes are the mint, basil, and tongue-tickling club soda.
Underneath all that, though, there are some distinctly spicy flavors.
These come primarily from the ginger syrup, but the vermouth and orange bitters also contribute to them.
Whether you’re looking for a refreshing summer drink or something warm and spicy for fall, somehow, the saint fits both categories.
8. Strawberry Mint Sparkler
The strawberry mint sparkler looks like pink lemonade, but it tastes more like strawberry limeade with a mint and vodka finish.
It takes about 10 minutes to make and is spectacularly tart and zesty.
There’s not a lot of sweetness to it, but you can always increase the simple syrup if you need more sugar.
9. Vodka Mint Lemonade
I love this drink’s gorgeous lime green color, and its tart, clean flavor is even better.
If you’re looking for a relatively light cocktail to serve for brunch or at a garden party, this is the one you’ll want.
If you’ve never had mint lemonade, you can’t imagine how insanely tasty it is.
Although I never thought I’d find a summer drink I like more than “regular” lemonade, mint lemonade outdoes it.
And mint lemonade with some vodka added to it? Sign me up!
10. Baileys Mint Martini
The mint martini is for anyone looking for a dessert drink that’s a bit more decadent than other cocktails that come across the table.
You’ll make it with Baileys Irish Cream, creme de menthe liqueur, vodka, half and half, and ice.
It’s thick, creamy, and tastes a little like boozy mint chocolate chip ice cream, particularly if you add some chocolate shavings and just a dash of cinnamon on top.
(Okay, so the cinnamon doesn’t make it taste like mint chocolate chip ice cream, but it certainly makes it more delicious.)
11. Blackberry Bourbon Smash
The author of this recipe calls the blackberry bourbon smash the “whiskey drinker’s mojito,” and in many ways, I’ll tend to agree with that description.
It’s zesty, refreshing, and perfectly minty; however, the blackberries add a tart tanginess that makes the flavor more unique.
Because bourbon is such a strong liquor, you’ll get some of the alcohol taste in this mixed drink, as well.
12. Cucumber Mint Vodka Cocktail
This light, chilled drink is like a cucumber water mojito with a bit of lemonade added in for good measure.
It sounds crazy, but that’s the best way I can describe it.
It’s not at all sweet; instead, it has a clean, slightly earthy flavor with just a hint of lemony goodness.
13. Southside Cocktail Recipe
The Southside cocktail smells wonderful and tastes even better. It has a mild, clean flavor with just a hint of sharpness around the edges.
The mint and lime are simply backdrops for the more prominent spiced gin flavor of this elegant cocktail.
If you’re looking for the perfect before-dinner drink, this one is a good choice.
14. Mezcal Mint Julep
Here’s another excellent recipe for the mint julep; only this one has a unique, south-of-the-border flair.
In addition to the mint leaves, ice, and water, you’ll also add brown sugar.
Additionally, you’ll substitute Mezcal for the traditional bourbon.
And what’s the perfect garnish for a rich, minty, somewhat bitter and bracing Mexican drink? Jalapenos, of course!
If you like a little heat in your cocktails, you can even drip some of the juice into the glass, as well.
15. Eastside Cocktail
Between the gin, cucumber, lime, and mint, you might think that this one looks familiar.
And that’s because it is!
The Eastside cocktail is a twist on the Southside, which is a riff on the OG Gimlet.
Call it what you want, you have to admit that it’s a looker!
16. Frozen Coconut Mojito
If you prefer your cocktails thick and slushy – somewhere between milkshake, smoothie, and ICEE – then you’ll undoubtedly appreciate the frozen coconut mojito.
It has a fun, light green color and a tropical and minty flavor that features coconuts, mint, and a dash of lime.
It’s the perfect, not-too-sweet drink for sipping by the pool.
17. Old Cuban Cocktail
The old Cuban cocktail is bubbly, beautiful, and bittersweet.
You’ll make it with dark rum, lime juice, simple syrup, mint leaves, Angostura bitters, Champagne, and lime slices for garnishes.
To look so delicate and charming, the old Cuban actually packs a bit of a punch, and it’ll make your head a little fuzzy after just one drink.
It tastes similar to a mojito, but there’s a rich depth of flavor that a mojito just can’t match.
17 Fresh Mint Cocktails
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serving5
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kcalEnjoy the classic charm of the South with every sip of Mint Julep! This cocktail is proof that bourbon and fresh mint are a match made in heaven.
Ingredients
8 fresh mint leaves, plus more for garnish
1/2 ounce simple syrup
crushed ice
2 ounces bourbon whiskey
Instructions
- Place mint leaves in the bottom of a chilled glass or julep cup. Add the simple syrup.
- Press the mint leaves gently with a muddler to release their essential oils. Be careful not to shred the leaves into pieces.
- Fill the cup halfway with crushed ice. Pour the bourbon and stir everything together until the outside of the cup starts to frost.
- Add more crushed ice to fill the cup, forming a small mound on top.
- Garnish with more mint leaves.
- Serve with a straw and enjoy!
