Creme de menthe

Creme de menthe is a sweet, mint-flavored alcoholic beverage. Its flavor primarily derives from Corsican mint or dried peppermint. Creme de menthe is available in two varieties – green (colored by the mint leaves or by added coloring if made from extract instead of leaves) and white (also colorless), both are similarly flavored.

History

Creme de menthe was first developed and used as a medicinal treatment in the mid-19th century. The drink was invented by a French pharmacist named Emile Giffard in 1885. He researched the digestive and cooling properties of mint, which led him to create a pure, clear, and refined white mint liqueur. He tested this liqueur on the Grand Hotel's customers in Angers, France, and it was an immediate success.

Production

Creme de menthe is produced in a few different ways. The traditional method involves steeping dried peppermint or Corsican mint leaves in grain alcohol for several weeks (a process known as maceration), followed by filtration and addition of sugar. Some modern producers use distillation to create a cleaner, more concentrated flavor.

Uses

Creme de menthe is used as an ingredient in several cocktails, such as the Grasshopper and the Stinger. It can also be served on its own, typically over ice. In addition to its use in cocktails, creme de menthe is also used in cooking as a flavoring.

See also

• List of liqueurs
• Mint (candy)
• Mint chocolate