Wintergreen Cocktail Recipe
Wintergreen Nutrition Facts
Calories:220
Fat:0g
Protein:4g
Carbohydrates:15g
Alcohol:15%
Created by
Nic Polotnianko
I fell in love with the art of mixology 6 years ago. Since then, I've honed my skills, crafting a myriad of cocktail recipes, and sharing my passion with other enthusiasts.
Last Updated: August 23, 2024
Contents
History
The Wintergreen cocktail is a delightful concoction that was first created in the snowy mountains of Switzerland. It was designed to warm the hearts and spirits of those who braved the cold winter nights. This cocktail is perfect for those who love the refreshing taste of mint and the warmth of a good drink. It has since become a favorite among winter sports enthusiasts and holiday party-goers alike.
How Wintergreen Tastes?
The Wintergreen cocktail offers a perfect balance of sweet and sour, with a refreshing minty flavor. It has a smooth, velvety texture and a warming sensation that lingers on the palate. The combination of ingredients creates a harmonious blend of flavors that is both invigorating and comforting.
Interesting facts about Wintergreen
- The Wintergreen cocktail was named after the wintergreen plant, which is known for its cooling, minty flavor.
- This cocktail is often enjoyed as an apres-ski treat, perfect for warming up after a day on the slopes.
- The Wintergreen cocktail is sometimes garnished with a sprig of fresh mint, adding an extra touch of freshness and visual appeal.
Ingredients
- Vodka: 1.5 oz(45ml)
- Creme de menthe: 0.5 oz(15ml)
- Lemon juice: 0.5 oz(15ml)
- Simple syrup: 0.5 oz(15ml)
- Egg white: 1
- Angostura bitters: 2 dashes
- Club soda: 1 oz(30ml)
- Fresh mint: 1 sprig
A few good options for Wintergreen are:
- Grey Goose
- Belvedere
- Khor
- Smirnoff
Vodka
The vodka at 1.5oz is our canvas, giving us a neutral base that lets the other ingredients shine. It's like the lead singer, not hogging the spotlight but setting the stage for backup vocals (other flavors). Go lower, and we might as well call it a mocktail; go higher, and suddenly, it's a solo act that drowns out the minty chorus.
Alex Green
Creme de Menthe
At 0.5oz, the creme de menthe is the zingy green guitar riff in our cocktail concert, providing a refreshing mint flavor without overpowering. Skip it, and you'll lose the 'Wintergreen' vibe - it's like attending a concert where the guitar goes missing! A substitute like peppermint schnapps could play the role but expect a sharper, more alcoholic punch.
Mary Mitkina
Lemon Juice
Half an ounce gives this cocktail its fresh, citrus kick - think of it as the zesty drummer that keeps the rhythm. Remove it, and the drink falls flat, like a band without a beat. Substitute with lime juice for a twist, but it will definitely bring a different background tune.
Emma Rose
Simple Syrup
The 0.5oz of simple syrup is the smooth bass line, balancing the tartness and adding a silky texture. Too much and we're in a sugar rush, too little and the tartness takes over - it's about finding a perfect harmony in the flavor profile.
Alex Green
Egg White
The solo egg white brings the foamy head and silky mouthfeel - our cocktails' special effects. Think of it as the pyrotechnics at a rock show. Minus the egg white, and you miss out on the magic. Vegans can head for aquafaba; the show goes on with a different kind of special effect.
Mary Mitkina
Angostura Bitters
Two dashes are like the final touch of makeup before the show - it adds depth and a complex layer of flavors. No bitters, no encore! Other aromatic bitters can be used, but they'll change the final curtain call of our cocktail performance.
Emma Rose
Club Soda
The 1oz club soda is the stage dive - it adds effervescence and lightness to the mix. Without it, you'd have a flat performance, missing that refreshing fizz. Go too heavy, and the drink becomes a cover band of a soda pop.
Alex Green
Fresh Mint
One sprig is your encores' crowd-pleaser, a garnish that refreshes and decorates. It reinforces the minty profile and smells like a hit! Leave it out, and the fans (your taste buds) will notice the missing autograph on their cocktail concert poster.
Mary Mitkina
Recipe. How to make Wintergreen Drink
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the vodka, creme de menthe, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white.
- Dry shake (without ice) for about 10 seconds to emulsify the egg white.
- Add ice to the shaker and shake again for about 20 seconds, or until well chilled.
- Strain the mixture into a chilled glass.
- Top with club soda and gently stir to combine.
- Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint and a couple of dashes of Angostura bitters.
Pro Tips
- Shake the cocktail shaker vigorously to ensure the egg white is fully emulsified.
- Use fresh mint for garnishing to enhance the minty flavor.
- Chill the glass before pouring the cocktail to keep the drink cool for longer.
Perfect Pairings
Appetizers
Charcuterie Board: The savory flavors of cured meats and rich cheeses complement the herbaceous and refreshing aspects of the Wintergreen cocktail.
Smoked Salmon Canapés: The clean taste of smoked salmon pairs nicely with the bright and minty notes of the drink.
Cucumber Sandwiches: These light, fresh sandwiches marry well with the cocktail's cooling mint and zesty lemon flavors.
Desserts
Dark Chocolate: The bitterness of dark chocolate will contrast and balance the sweet and menthol flavors of the drink.
Lemon Sorbet: A tart and sweet lemon sorbet will echo the citrusy notes of the cocktail, creating a harmonious pairing.
Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Mint Tea: Non-alcoholic pairing that echoes the minty freshness without competing with the cocktail's complexity.
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What you could change in Wintergreen
- Vodka: Can be replaced with gin for a different flavor profile.
- Creme de Menthe: Peppermint schnapps can be used as a substitute.
- Egg White: For a vegan option, aquafaba (chickpea water) can be used as a substitute.
Explore all drinks starting with W here
And of course - twists🍹
Wintergreen Spice
Ingredients: Replace vodka with spiced rum, keep the rest. Recipe: Follow the original recipe, but use spiced rum instead of vodka. Description: The warmth of spiced rum adds a cozy twist to our Wintergreen, making it a perfect fireside companion. The mint and lemon weave through the spices, creating a harmonious blend - like a holiday jam session.
Wintergreen Orchard
Ingredients: Replace lemon juice with apple cider, eliminate club soda. Recipe: Swap the lemon juice for equal parts apple cider, continue with the rest of the original recipe. Description: Picture an apple orchard on a brisk winter day - that's this twist. Fresh, slightly sweet, and no longer carbonated, this variation feels like taking a bite out of a juicy apple with a mint leaf garnish.
Berry Wintergreen
Ingredients: Add 0.5oz of blackberry liqueur, swap club soda for sparkling wine. Recipe: Include blackberry liqueur in the shaker. After straining, top with sparkling wine instead of club soda. Description: Like finding berries under a blanket of snow, Berry Wintergreen adds a fruity surprise that sparkles with effervescence from the sparkling wine. The playfulness of berries brings a smile, as if the cocktail is winking at you with holiday cheer.
In case you forgot basics how to make Wintergreen
The basic composition of simple syrup is relatively straightforward – a 1:1 ratio of sugar and water. This mixture is heated until the sugar dissolves, resulting in a clear, sweet syrup.
Learn everything about simple syrupAdd your ingredients to the shaker first, then ice. Fill it up to ¾ of its capacity to ensure enough space for shaking. Hold the shaker with both hands (one on the top and one on the bottom) and shake vigorously. The shake should come from your shoulders, not your wrists.
Learn everything on how to shakePlace your chosen strainer on top of the shaker or mixing glass, ensuring a secure fit. Pour the cocktail into a glass through the strainer, which will catch solid ingredients and ice. If double straining, hold the fine mesh strainer between the shaker and the glass.
Learn everything on how to strainInsert the spoon into the glass until it touches the bottom. Keep the back of the spoon against the inside wall of the glass, and stir in a smooth, circular motion. The goal is to swirl the ice and ingredients together without churning or splashing.
Learn everything on how to stirGarnishing a bar drink depends on the type of garnish and the cocktail. Generally, it involves preparing the garnish (like cutting a citrus wheel or picking a sprig of mint), and then adding it to the drink in a visually appealing way (like perching it on the rim or floating it on top).
Learn everything on garnishingFind the cocktail you'd love!
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Frequently Asked Questions on Wintergreen
What is the origin of vodka?
Vodka originates from Eastern Europe, particularly Russia and Poland. It's distilled from fermented grains or potatoes.
What are the basic steps to mix a cocktail?
Generally, the primary steps for mixing a cocktail are: assembling your ingredients, adding them into a shaker in the correct order, shaking or stirring the mix, and then straining it into the proper glass with the appropriate garnish.
Why do some cocktails use egg white?
Adding egg whites to cocktails, like in a Wintergreen, can give a rich, creamy texture and frothy top. It doesn't particularly add flavor, but rather an appealing mouthfeel and aesthetics to the drink.
Is Wintergreen cocktail a classic or modern cocktail?
The Wintergreen cocktail would be considered a modern cocktail, as it doesn't strictly adhere to traditional cocktail compositions.
What kind of taste does Creme de Menthe add to a cocktail?
Creme de Menthe is a sweet, mint-flavored liqueur that adds a refreshing, minty taste to the cocktails it's used in.
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