Tfs Creme De Menthe

Crème de menthe is a mint-flavored liqueur, and this bottle comes from Massachusetts under the Esplanda label. The producer doesn't list a proof or a mint variety, so the following describes the style and is not a measured profile of this bottle. Expect a clear, cool peppermint or spearmint aroma over a thick, syrupy body. Liqueurs in this style are usually bottled somewhere around 20 to 30 percent ABV. The sweetness is high, as it is in most cordials, and the mint gives a menthol-like cooling effect on the finish that offsets some of the sugar. Whether it is green or clear, which is the white version, is a matter of coloring and doesn't change the flavor much. Served neat, it works best well chilled. Keep the bottle in the refrigerator or freezer and pour about an ounce into a small cordial glass. A thick liqueur like this gets more syrupy as it warms, so a cold pour tastes cleaner and tastes more of mint. Over crushed ice it dilutes slowly and the sweetness eases. Many people take it after dinner as a digestif, and it pairs naturally with dark chocolate, chocolate cake, brownies, or vanilla ice cream. A small pour over a scoop of vanilla ice cream makes a quick dessert. As a cocktail ingredient it is the defining flavor in a few classic drinks. The Grasshopper combines equal parts crème de menthe, white crème de cacao, and cream, shaken with ice and strained into a chilled coupe. The Stinger is brandy with white crème de menthe, usually about two parts brandy to one part liqueur, stirred or shaken over ice and strained. For a Southside-style variation, a small measure can stand in for part of the simple syrup, with gin, lime juice, and fresh mint. If you use it as a modifier, start with a quarter to half an ounce, because the sugar and mint can dominate a drink quickly. For a longer, lighter drink, pour an ounce or so over ice and top it with soda water and a squeeze of lime. This gives a less sweet highball that stays mint-forward. A spoonful in hot chocolate or coffee also works in cold weather. Once opened, store the bottle sealed and away from direct light, since green liqueurs can fade and flavors can dull over time.