WEEK 45: YOUR BEST SPRING REFRESHER

Mint Limeade

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Photography by Melanie Einzig

    BY VVVANESSA | MAKES ABOUT 2 QUARTS

A&M: Tart and refreshing, this limeade is a perfect drink for getting into the spirit of spring. Vvvanessa said, “I love minty drinks when the weather starts to warm up. Add in some zippy citrus and bubbles, and I couldn’t be more refreshed.” The mint syrup is intensely flavored, so you don’t need much, and vvvanessa applies a particularly light touch with this one sweet element—which we also found made for an invigorating drink. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, just add a little more of the mint syrup.

    1 cup sugar

    1 cup lightly packed fresh mint leaves, washed

    1 cup freshly squeezed lime juice

    1 to 2 liters club soda

    Mint leaves or lime wedges, for garnish

  1. Make the mint simple syrup by combining the sugar, mint leaves, and 1 cup water in a saucepan and bringing it to a boil over high heat, then reducing the heat and allowing it to simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool completely. Strain and discard the mint leaves.
  2. To assemble the limeade: Pour about 1 ounce (1/8 cup) each of the simple syrup and lime juice into a tall glass filled with ice. Top with about 6 ounces (¾ cup) of club soda. Stir. Garnish with fresh mint or a lime wedge.

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Photography by Melanie Einzig

    TIPS AND TECHNIQUES

    Simple and lovely in its pure form, this recipe would make a great jumping-off point for all sorts of riffs. If you’re so inclined, try adding a splash of vodka or light rum.

        BigBear: “This is so good. We make up the syrup and freeze it in ice cube trays. It’s perfect—so refreshing and instantly available when using the syrup cubes.”

    ABOUT THE COOK

    Vanessa Vichit-Vadakan is a bartender based in Brooklyn, New York.

        Her favorite recipe from a cookbook: “Fudgy Brownies from The King Arthur Flour Cookie Companion.

        Her favorite cooking tip: “Measuring spoons and measuring cups are much easier to use if they’re taken off that little ring that holds them together. There’s a lot less fumbling, and you only have to wash the one spoon or cup you used without dragging all the others along for the ride.”

        Here’s her blog: The Beet Goes On (www.thebeetgoeson.blogspot.com).

    WHAT THE COMMUNITY SAID

    marzipanmarcia: “This is definitely going to become my summer standby beverage … but vodka might find its way in, too!”