Lemon Mint Lemonade

Lemon and mint united in a bottle

In this variety, classic lemon meets fresh mint, bringing the herbal tone to the fore and softening the acidity. It is originally called Menthe Citron. Anyone looking for a non-alcoholic mojito doesn't need to mix any further.

The Lemon Mint Lemonade is the most herbal variety from La Mortuacienne and is known in French as Menthe Citron. Mint is added to the familiar citrus base, which is immediately recognizable in the glass without tasting like chewing gum. A summer variety that works even when no one at the table wants to drink alcohol.

Cooling, herbal, zesty in the finish

On the nose, it's mint first, followed by lemon. Not the sharp peppermint tone from a candy jar, but the softer, almost grassy note of fresh leaves.

On the palate, the ratio reverses. The lemon takes over, bringing acidity and structure, and the mint lies over it like a cooling film. At 9.2 grams of sugar per 100 milliliters, this variety is among the sweeter ones in the range, which the herbal tone balances out well, however.

The color is also striking, a pale green-yellow that looks almost transparent in a glass with ice. No bright mint green, as you know from syrups.

The finish is the special part. While normal lemonade disappears after swallowing, here a cooling sensation remains in the mouth, similar to after a glass of peppermint tea. On hot days, that is exactly the point.

The mojito that no one has to mix

Ice-cold in a tall glass, with two lime wedges, a few fresh mint leaves, and plenty of ice. A drink is ready for which others have to muddle three ingredients.

If you prefer it with alcohol, pour a shot of barrel-aged rum over it, and the mojito is complete. The mint in the lemonade takes over the work usually done by a mortar and leaves. It also works well with gin.

When it comes to food, Lemon Mint Lemonade goes with everything summery. Grilled vegetables, lamb skewers, and a salad with feta and watermelon are its domain; the mint plays along there anyway. Serve cold at 6 to 8 degrees, otherwise the herbal tone seems dull. When on the go, the small Menthe Citron to-go helps.

Why mint belongs in lemonade in France

What sounds unusual here is everyday life in France. Menthe has been on the beverage shelf there for generations, starting as a syrup.

The bright green Menthe syrup has been a classic in French cafés since the 1930s; diluted with water, it is called Diabolo Menthe and is served to both children and adults. A lemonade manufacturer that produces its own syrups simply cannot ignore this flavor.

At Rième, the combination of lemon and mint is therefore a permanent fixture, and as Didier did with the other varieties, the cold-stirred sugar base, which has been the same since 1921, remained untouched. Only the aroma side was changed. At 9.2 grams of sugar per hundred milliliters, this variety is at the upper end of the scale, which ranges from 7.9 to 9.2 grams in the range.

Today, the Lemon Mint Lemonade is one of the summer classics in the range. Between June and August, it sells significantly faster than in winter, which is hardly surprising for an herbal drink. In the same vein is the pure Lemon Lemonade, which shows the same base without herbs. The other eight varieties are waiting at La Mortuacienne. A deposit is charged for the swing-top bottle.