Traditional Candied Mint Leaves
These traditional candied mint leaves are perfect for garnishing cocktails as well as cakes and desserts. They also make the perfect afternoon snack.
Candied mint leaves are the perfect addition to spruce up any dessert or cocktail. Adding these little sugary crystallised mint leaves on top of your mint based cupcakes, ice-cream or as I usually do, for cocktail garnishes, really adds a touch of elegance to your dish or cocktail. A feeling of luxury even.
What are Candied Mint Leaves?
Candied mint leaves are just sugary mint leaves. You will need egg white or sugar syrup if your vegan to help the sugar stick to the mint leaves but that’s it, really.
The simply touch of these candied mint leaves is that added detail that just lifts the dish or cocktail you’re using them to garnish.
How to use candied mint leaves
So what would you use these candied mint leaves for? Well, I’m glad you asked.
Traditional use
Traditionally these would just be used as an afternoon snack or treat, as this is the tradition recipe, it only makes sense to treat them as such.
Food uses
For food uses, these candied mint leaves work great for sweet and chocolate uses. A bowl of ice cream with a few of these scattered around work great, cupcakes and chocolate desserts, the list goes on.
Mint is super refreshing and these candied leaves have a sugary crunch. So when adding them to food you’re either adding an extra pop of sugar, some refreshing minty flavour, a bit of texture or all of the above.
Drink uses
Cocktails in particular work great with these. Any cocktail that uses fresh or stirred mint, swap for these for an extra little summat summat.
Think Mojitos or Southsides.
Garnish uses
The main use for these candied mint leaves would be for garnishing. In cocktails, any mint based cocktail would be vastly improved with the addition of these candied mint leaves. For example a mint julep. It takes what would usually be a very basic and over used garnish, and gives a little twist that people don’t expect.
Same goes for food as well, garnishing cakes and desserts work amazing.
Variations
As for variations, the thing I’m guessing you’re looking to change is the egg white… am I right?
I get that when you first read this recipe, you’re going to be thinking “wait, egg white, not cooked? raw egg white left for 24 hours then ate? no thank you”
There is a lot of fear mongering around egg whites but you’ve got to remember, back in the day, raw egg was used for everything. Least we forget old school body builders drinking raw egg white for the protein hit.
And bartenders would use egg whites for basically every cocktail with a foam on it without ever really mentioning it on the menu. We have all seemed to of forgot that but back just 5 or so years ago, egg whites were a bar essential and one of the most utilised ingredients.
But these days you can’t do it. And I get it, veganismn has rose significantly and if you can do it without animal products, why not. Not to mention salmonella seems to be really big these days.
But that’s okay, this recipe is the traditional way of making candied mint leaves, the new way and the way used to make candied anything doesn’t use egg whites.
Modern candied mint leaves/vegan
For the modern recipe you will need a rich simple syrup. For this, mix sugar and water to a ratio of 2:1 in a sauce pan until the sugar dissolves. So however much sugar your using, half that to give you the amount of water.
Using 500 grams of sugar? use 250 grams of water.
Mix that in your saucepan, stir stir stir, dissolve that sugar, then leave to cool.
Next, grab a bowl full of sugar and whatever you want to candy, in this case it’s mint leaves but you can use anything, mint sprigs, rosemary, orange and fruit peels, whatever you want.
Then dip your mint leaves in the cool rich sugar syrup, then dip it in the sugar. Repeat till you have your ideal amount.
Then what we will need to do is dehydrate those candies in a dehydrator or a low heat oven.
If your a UK shopper use this dehydrator, its cheap and works a treat. I’ve used it for bars before so it can withstand a lot.
If your a USA shopper, this is the one you want.
I also have a full guide on dehydrators, how to use them, what to use them for, and the best type to use so check that article out here.
Dehydrate it for 2-3 hours then store in the fridge.
Traditional Candied Mint Leaves
Ingredients
Instructions
- Pick you mint leaves away from the stem’s.
- Whisk one egg white until frothy. Then lightly Brush the egg white onto each mint leaf. If using the no egg method Instead of the egg white you can brush you’re mint leaves with corn syrup/Golden syrup/thick Sugar syrup.
- Cover the mint leaves in white sugar and allow them to dry on parchment paper for 24 hours. If using the no egg method dehydrate for 2-4 hours or until the sugar has dried
Notes
To avoid salmonella, make sure your egg whites are in date and always purchase from a reliable source. Once cracked thoroughly inspect your egg whites to make sure you have no yolk or bits that look off.
If you're unsure, use the vegan method. I am not responsible for your choice of eggs.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
9.48Fat
0.01Sat. Fat
0Carbs
2.42Fiber
0.02Net carbs
2.4Sugar
2.4Protein
0.03Sodium
0.41Cholesterol
0The nutritional information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice. See our full nutrition disclosure here.
Search Recipes
Healthy, Quick, Snacks & Sides, Desserts, Seafood, Vegetarian, Budget Friendly
All Recipes
Hi, I’m Cameron, guv’nor of Smartblend. If you liked this then you’re in luck, I have a bunch more related articles for you below. Oh, and don’t forget to sign up below to receive the Smartblend monthly newsletter! Thank you and happy eating!
Latest Recipes
Smartblend is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.co.uk and amazon.com. Smartblend does earn a small commission on goods purchased through the included links. Don't worry, it doesn't cost you any more, but we do appreciate your referral!