Muddle

Technique

To muddle is to press herbs, fruit or sugar gently in a glass or shaker tin to release their oils and juice.

Also called: muddled · muddling

What muddle means

To muddle mint is to press the leaves gently against the bottom of a glass or tin. That light pressure releases the oil that gives mint its smell. You will see the step in a smash recipe, since that drink is built around it.

You do not need a muddler. The handle of an unfinished wooden spoon does the job. A few gentle presses are enough, so stop before the leaves turn to pulp. Pressing harder does not bring out more flavor. Shredded mint turns bitter, so gentle pressure is the goal.

Muddled leaves can break into small bits, and those bits can end up in the glass. If you shake the drink, double strain it to catch them. If you see pulp in the tin, you pressed too hard, so use fewer and gentler presses next time.

How to muddle mint

Muddle mint with light pressure in a glass or shaker tin, using a muddler or the handle of a wooden spoon.

1.Put the mint leaves in the bottom of a sturdy glass or shaker tin.
2.Add any sugar or fruit the recipe asks for, since those get muddled with the mint.
3.Press the leaves gently three or four times, stopping before they tear into pulp.
4.Use firmer pressure for sugar and fruit, since they take more force than herbs.
5.Add the rest of the ingredients and shake with ice as the recipe says.
6.Double strain a shaken drink so no bits of leaf reach the glass.

Muddle compared

Slapping mintSlapping a mint sprig between your palms wakes its aroma for a garnish. Muddling presses the leaves in the tin to release oil into the drink.
SmashA smash is a drink style built on muddled herbs or fruit. Muddling is the step that makes it.

Related terms

Ingredients

Put it to use in your next drink

Garçon explains every step as you make the drink.