September 15th is National Creme de Menthe Day #CremeDeMentheDay. I’m not sure about you but its been a busy chaotic week in my home. I need some one on one time with my husband. I was thinking I could take David out to dinner.
David and I could celebrate Creme de Menthe Day which I’ve never had. Have you? If so have you tried either the Stringer or Grasshopper? If so what did you think about the Cocktail and why? If not would you like to go with David and I to celebrate Creme de Menthe Day?
National Creme de Menthe Day falls each year on September 15th. Creme de Menthe is translated from French, Creme de Menthe means “mint cream”. This sweetened alcoholic beverage is flavored with Corsican Mint .Creme de Menthe is also available in two variations: green and colorless, otherwise referred to as white. Creme de Menthe can be used as a mixture for Cocktails and desserts and is refreshing.
History of National Creme de Menthe Day
Creme de Menthe Day widely celebrates this cool liqueur that is a great addition to many Cocktails and desserts. Back in the day, the liqueurs were actually tonics and curing potions. Which is how Crème de Menthe came into existence. A French Pharmacist by the name of Emile Giffard was studying the cooling and digestive qualities of Mint. This led Emile Giffard to develop a recipe for Crème de Menthe in 1885.
Crème de Menthe is actually sweet and involves steeping dried Peppermint or Corsican Mint Leaves in Grain Alcohol for weeks. The leaves are what give it its green color. After this, it undergoes filtration and sugar is added. When it is extracted, it does not have any color and this is known as white Crème de Menthe.
Both varieties have a similar flavor profile and can be used interchangeably in recipes. Creme de Menthe can be used for several purposes including a post-dinner drink, added to Cocktails, food recipes, and more. The most popular usage of Creme de Menthe is in the Cocktails Stringer and Grasshopper, which emerged between the 1890s to 1910s.
Did you know Crème de Menthe has been featured in pop culture as well over the years. Some notable appearances include an episode of the sitcom “Friends” in the episode “The One with the Two Parties.” In an attempt to stop Leonard Green from running into his wife, Phoebe offers him a Crème de Menthe.
Another appearance can be seen in the 12th episode of the first season of “Mad Men.” In it, members of a party raid a supply closet when they run out of alcohol and fill an entire Water cooler with Creme de Menthe
National Creme de Menthe Day Activities
- Who said Crème de Menthe can only be used in a Cocktail beverage? The properties of this liqueur allow you to add it in Chocolate as well. On this National Creme de Menthe Day, you can make yourself some cool Mint Chocolate and you can store it and enjoy it as you please.
- What’s the point of making Cocktails if you can’t celebrate with your friends? Throw a Cocktail party and make sure you have the Grasshopper and the Stringer on the menu as which contain Crème de Menthe.
- On National Creme de Menthe Day, just sit back, relax and enjoy Creme de Menthe and have a quiet evening on your porch, balcony, or backyard sipping on this drink and unwind.
Interesting Facts About Crème De Menthe
- Hercule Poirot, a popular character in Agatha Christie’s novels, has a strong affinity for flavored drinks, with Crème De Menthe being his preferred choice.
- Did you know Crème de Menthe comes in two colors, green and white, and the former is colored with Mint Leaves or coloring if made from extract.
- If added in a tiny amount such as half a teaspoon, Crème De Menthe can add a nice Mint flavor to your regular Coffee or Tea.
- Adding just about a quarter teaspoon of Crème De Menthe to a glass of Ice and Soda will elevate the taste of the drink.
- Crème de Menthe is a popular St. Patrick’s Day drink because of its green color.
Why People Love National Creme de Menthe Day
Creme de Menthe Day is cooling and refreshing because Mint evokes a sense of coolness and refreshment. The aftertaste of Mint can help you charge up and relax at the same time.
If you sometimes have a heavy dinner and wish something could instantly help you feel less bloated? That’s where Crème de Menthe comes in. Mint has great digestive qualities making it an excellent drink to have after dinner because it’s cooling and refreshing and will help your digestion process.
Apart from being used as a digestif and addition to a Cocktail, Creme de Menthe is also popular for other things and can be used as a flavoring in many recipes. Did you know you can even make a Milkshake and add Crème de Menthe to the Milkshake. Creme de Menthe Day can even be used to make other desserts including Ice Cream.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
