What type of mint for drinks?

yourchoice · 05-09-2009, 10:34 AM

I searched the web, found some info - but just to be sure I thought I'd ask my BOTL here. When mixing drinks using mint, what type of mint is typically preferred, spearmint or peppermint? I wanted to plant a little to have on hand....kicking myself for not having it on hand for the Derby last week! TIA for your help!

05-09-2009, 10:41 AM

There's a difference of opinion if you're making julups or mojito's?

Since you mentioned the Derby I'm assuming Julups... If thats the case I'd say

"In fact, one cultivar of spearmint is named M. spicata 'Kentucky Colonel' and is used in the mint juleps at the Derby"

05-09-2009, 10:44 AM

i like pepermint my self a take a whiskey and pep when i have a bad stumac and it helps alot

markem · 05-09-2009, 11:02 AM

A friend grows chocolate mint for his juleps. He also uses them in mojitos, but I'm a fan of traditional mint (spearmint) in those. For whatever reason, I'm not a big fan of peppermint in drinks, even tea.

ucla695 · 05-09-2009, 11:05 AM

Interesting question. I've never thought about this. I can't wait the see the responses.

AD720 · 05-09-2009, 11:12 AM

I always use spearmint for Mojitos (the only Mint drink that I like).

05-09-2009, 04:13 PM

Peppermint is terrible in drinks used it myself by accident once. Spear mint is the way to go

mosesbotbol · 05-09-2009, 05:38 PM

Make sure your mint is vigorous or it will shred apart when mashing for a mojito.

yourchoice · 05-09-2009, 08:46 PM

Thanks for the replies gents...I should have stated, not only for Mint Juleps, but Mojito's and anything else I may find intriguing with mint. Sounds like spearmint is the way to go....

With all that said, I now have a peppermint plant, an orange mint plant and a spearmint plant. LOL My wife was out at a nursery today and bought the first two without further information, and my neighboring asparagus farmer gave me a very small spearmint plant when I bought some asparagus this afternoon. Now I can try all three!

I'm intrigued by the orange mint and the aforementioned chocolate mint plant. I wouldn't have thought of more than just spearmint and peppermint.

Thanks again for the replies.

Mark C · 05-10-2009, 06:30 AM

I'm a huge fan of spearmint, never tried any of the others, be sure to let us know how they are.

Keep in mind mint grows like a weed unless you keep it in a pot. I tried for a couple years and could never get potted mint to grow. One winter I dumped the barren pot over the side of the deck and next spring I was pleased to find mint starting to grow, by the end of that summer I had a 6 ft patch of spearmint.

05-09-2009, 10:34 AM	#1
yourchoice Down the stretch Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Joel Location: South Jersey Posts: 4,091 Trading: (36)	What type of mint for drinks? I searched the web, found some info - but just to be sure I thought I'd ask my BOTL here. When mixing drinks using mint, what type of mint is typically preferred, spearmint or peppermint? I wanted to plant a little to have on hand....kicking myself for not having it on hand for the Derby last week! TIA for your help!

05-09-2009, 10:41 AM	#2
dubnick Guest Posts: n/a	Re: What type of mint for drinks? There's a difference of opinion if you're making julups or mojito's? Since you mentioned the Derby I'm assuming Julups... If thats the case I'd say "In fact, one cultivar of spearmint* is named M. spicata 'Kentucky Colonel' and is used in the mint juleps at the Derby"*

05-09-2009, 10:44 AM	#3
adampc22 Guest Posts: n/a	Re: What type of mint for drinks? i like pepermint my self a take a whiskey and pep when i have a bad stumac and it helps alot

05-09-2009, 11:02 AM	#4
markem Bunion Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Mark Location: Second Star on the Right Posts: 22,622 Trading: (47)	Re: What type of mint for drinks? A friend grows chocolate mint for his juleps. He also uses them in mojitos, but I'm a fan of traditional mint (spearmint) in those. For whatever reason, I'm not a big fan of peppermint in drinks, even tea. __________________ I refuse to belong to any organization that would have me as a member. ~ Groucho Marx

05-09-2009, 11:05 AM	#5
ucla695 Neither here, nor there Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The Pool Posts: 3,696 Trading: (5)	Re: What type of mint for drinks? Interesting question. I've never thought about this. I can't wait the see the responses.

05-09-2009, 11:12 AM	#6
AD720 I'm nuts for the place Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Andrew Location: The City of BOTL-erly Love Posts: 2,684 Trading: (73)	Re: What type of mint for drinks? I always use spearmint for Mojitos (the only Mint drink that I like). __________________

05-09-2009, 04:13 PM	#7
DougBushBC Guest Posts: n/a	Re: What type of mint for drinks? Peppermint is terrible in drinks used it myself by accident once. Spear mint is the way to go

05-09-2009, 05:38 PM	#8
mosesbotbol That's a Corgi Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Moses Location: Boston Posts: 6,171 Trading: (6)	Re: What type of mint for drinks? Make sure your mint is vigorous or it will shred apart when mashing for a mojito. __________________ Port Wine & Claret \| British Cars \| Welsh Corgi's

05-09-2009, 08:46 PM	#9
yourchoice Down the stretch Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Joel Location: South Jersey Posts: 4,091 Trading: (36)	Re: What type of mint for drinks? Thanks for the replies gents...I should have stated, not only for Mint Juleps, but Mojito's and anything else I may find intriguing with mint. Sounds like spearmint is the way to go.... With all that said, I now have a peppermint plant, an orange mint plant and a spearmint plant. LOL My wife was out at a nursery today and bought the first two without further information, and my neighboring asparagus farmer gave me a very small spearmint plant when I bought some asparagus this afternoon. Now I can try all three! I'm intrigued by the orange mint and the aforementioned chocolate mint plant. I wouldn't have thought of more than just spearmint and peppermint. Thanks again for the replies.

05-10-2009, 06:30 AM	#10
Mark C Feeling at Home Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: SE PA Posts: 674 Trading: (4)	Re: What type of mint for drinks? I'm a huge fan of spearmint, never tried any of the others, be sure to let us know how they are. Keep in mind mint grows like a weed unless you keep it in a pot. I tried for a couple years and could never get potted mint to grow. One winter I dumped the barren pot over the side of the deck and next spring I was pleased to find mint starting to grow, by the end of that summer I had a 6 ft patch of spearmint.