Mojito mint contains less menthol than other types of mint and therefore tastes especially good in the famous Mojito cocktail. In this article you will learn how you can easily grow and use the mint yourself.
The light purple flowers of the mojito mint are an important food source for numerous insects in summer, making it perfect for bee pasture, among other things. However, the hybrid form of mint is particularly common in the classic mojito cocktail with white rum. Thanks to mojito mint’s low menthol content, it doesn’t numb the taste buds quite as much as other types of mint when drunk. Mojito mint is very low maintenance, so you can easily grow it in the garden or keep it as a potted plant.
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Planting Mojito Mint: In the bed and in the pot
Hardy mojito mint thrives well both directly in the herb bed and in pots. Like most special mint varieties, it is best to buy young Mojito mint from a garden retailer who knows mint well. Before you plant the young plant, there are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Location: A bright and sunny location is important for the mojito mint to thrive and develop its aromatic flavor. However, you should protect it from blazing sun, especially at midday. In addition, the mint should be in a place with good air circulation, so that its leaves dry quickly after rain or after watering.
- Soil: Mojito mint grows best in loose and well-drained soil. A high humus content in the soil will also ensure that the plant gets enough nutrients. If you keep mojito mint in a pot, it is best to use potting soil or vegetable soil as a planting medium. Also place a drainage layer of gravel or clay shards at the bottom of the pot to help water drain away.
Plant mojito mint directly in the bed:
- Place the young mojito mint in a bucket of water first until no more air bubbles rise.
- Dig a planting hole at the site that is slightly larger than the root ball. If necessary, you can then insert a root barrier to prevent the mint from growing too much later.
- Be careful not to place mojito mint in a bed with slow-growing plants, as it will quickly overgrow them.
- Mix the excavated soil with some humus or compost.
- Pot up the mojito mint and place it in the planting hole. Fill the hole back up with the humus-soil mixture.
- Lightly press down the top layer of soil and water the mint plant generously.
Cultivate mojito mint in a pot:
- Even with this planting option, let the mojito mint stand in a bucket of water for a few minutes first so that it soaks up.
- Choose a pot with a capacity of at least ten liters as a planting container.
- Create a drainage layer at the bottom of the pot and then add some peat-free potting soil on top.
- Pot up the mojito mint and place it in the new pot. Fill it completely with potting soil.
- Press the top layer of soil and water the mint thoroughly.
The right care for the mojito mint
Even as an amateur gardener with little experience you can get the Mojito mint in the garden, because the hardy potted plant is very robust and easy to care for. With a few care tips, you can ensure that the mint multiplies rapidly.
- Watering: Neither waterlogging nor too dry soil is good for the Mojito mint. Especially in a pot, you should therefore water it regularly. Drooping shoots indicate a lack of water. In general, the soil should never dry out completely. Water the mojito mint in winter best only moderately and on frost-free days. Also, be careful not to hold the water spray directly on the leaves, as this will make them more susceptible to fungal diseases.
- Fertilizing: Outdoors, mojito mint does not require additional fertilizer. If the soil is poor in nutrients, you can just mix in some compost from time to time. Mojito mint grown in pots, however, should be fertilized regularly from May to September with a special vegetable fertilizer rich in potassium and nitrogen.
- Pruning: Mojito mint tends to sprawl, so you should prune and harvest it regularly. Depending on your needs, you can harvest it twice a year in July and September or just cut off a few individual shoots from time to time. In the fall, cut back the entire mojito mint close to the ground.
- Overwintering: planted out, the hardy Mojito mint can withstand temperatures down to -25 degrees Celsius without any additional winter protection. If planted in a pot, however, you should either bring it indoors or wrap it in jute bags or brushwood to prevent the root ball from freezing. In particularly cold regions, you can also cover mojito mint growing in the garden with a few branches of brushwood or autumn leaves.
- Repotting: Mojito mint growing in a tub or pot should be repotted every two to three years. Place it in a slightly larger planter and provide it with fresh soil.
- Diseases and pests: Mojito mint is relatively hardy and is rarely affected by diseases or pests. However, it may contract mint rust or powdery mildew in poorly ventilated locations.
Mojito Mint Use: Alcohol-free apple mojito
Mojito mint refines many different drinks and cocktails, but especially in the summer Mojito it may not be missing. You can prepare it quite classically with white rum. But the drink also tastes good as a non-alcoholic cocktail, especially on hot summer days. Below we present you the recipe for a delicious apple mojito without alcohol.
Ingredients:
- 1Lime
- 8leaves mojito mint
- 1 tsp cane sugar
- Crushed ice (to taste)
- 100 ml of cloudy apple juice
- 100 ml soda water
Preparation
- Roll the lime with pressure over a board and then remove its ends.
- Cut the lime in half and quarter the halves.
- Wash the mint leaves thoroughly. Then place them in the palm of your hand and hit them hard once with the other hand.
- Pour the lime pieces, mint and cane sugar into a tall glass.
- Lightly crush everything with a pestle.
- Fill the glass with some crushed ice and pour the apple juice over it. Then add the soda water.
- Mix everything thoroughly in the shaker and add some more crushed ice to the glass. Finally, garnish the mojito with an apple slice and a few sprigs of mint, if desired.