Lime and Lemongrass Infused Mint Cooler

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Lime And Lemongrass Infused Cooler

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The combination of mint, lime and lemongrass can only mean this drink is going to be ever so refreshing.

No, the dog did not touch the drink. It thought it smelled wonderful though.

Serve it as a non alcoholic pre-dinner drink, as a thirst quencher on hot days and it is especially refreshing after a heavy meal. Any which way, this drink will please everyone.

LIME AND LEMONGRASS INFUSED MINT COOLER        

Prep:	15 minutes
Cook:	20 minutes (largely unattended)
Inactive:	10 minutes
Level:	Easy
Makes:	1.58 US quart (1.5 litres)
Oven Temperature:	-
Can recipe be doubled?	Yes
Make ahead?	Yes. Keeps well in sterilised bottles in the refrigerator for 2 weeks. It can also be frozen in ice cube trays.

Just the ingredients 5 cups water   4  fat lemongrass  1 cup lime juice 4 cups mint (any kind, stalks and leaves) 3 and 1/2 cups sugar 2 teaspoons citric acid Soda Stream/seltzer/soda water/sparkling mineral water

Ingredients

5 cups water  

4  fat lemongrass 

1 cup lime juice

4 cups mint (any kind, stalks and leaves)

3 and 1/2 cups sugar

2 teaspoons citric acid

Gives a nice tart flavour. Available at baking supply stores and some supermarkets. Find out more about this natural ingredient. Refer to the post Crisp Lemon Cookies.

Soda Stream/seltzer/soda water/sparkling mineral water

Method

Over high heat, bring 5 cups water to boil in a pot.

As soon as the water comes to a boil, smash the 4 lemongrass, add to boiling water and boil on high 5 minutes. 

Reduce heat to medium-high and simmer for 15 minutes.

Add mint (stalks and leaves), turn off the heat and let it steep for 10 minutes.

Transfer, the lemongrass, mint and 1/2 cup of the liquid into a food processor and let it cool sufficiently before you start the food processor to puree.  Keep the rest of the liquid in the pot aside for the moment.

When the lemongrass, mint and 1/2 cup liquid has cooled enough (so that it will be save for you to start the machine), use the 'PULSE' function of your food processor to get the grinding started and then progress to grinding it for a full minute. 

Remember the liquid in the pot that was set aside earlier?  Pour that into the food processor. Do not turn on the machine as the liquid will still be very hot.

Just use a fine-holed strainer to strain the green liquid into a clean vessel.  Discard the solids.

Add the sugar, lime juice and citric acid and stir to dissolve. The acids will turn the liquid a less vibrant colour.

Transfer into sterilised bottles and cap. 

To serve, pour required amount into glasses and top with Soda Stream/seltzer/soda water/sparkling mineral water. 

Add ice cubes and garnish with sprigs of mint and lime slices.

Tips

There is a lot of cookie and cake giving during the festive period and not enough of other homemade goodies. 

Bottled cordials are very well received as it is "not another jar of cookie" and hardly enough people think of giving them. Expect nothing less than much appreciated delight and surprise when you present it to your family and friends. 

I save up pretty bottles to bottle cordials. It is a good way to reuse what you already have and reduce our carbon footprints. 

Any advertising on the bottle that bothers you (usually found on the cap) can be covered with festive themed stickers or just cut some paper up, doodle a christmas design on it and glue them on the cap.

WHAT'S COMING UP NEXT?                                                

Another drink option for your year-end festive celebrations that I had concocted especially for guests who are not into alcohol, my Osmanthus And Apricot Drink With Konjac Jelly.