One of my favorite culinary aspects of summer is the abundance of fresh spearmint. It smells wonderful, looks pretty, and makes a refreshing addition to many drinks and meals.

It’s very easy to grow, too! So easy, in fact, that some might consider it a weed. I recommend planting your mint in a flower pot or large planter and keep it on your porch or deck. If you plant it in the yard or in a flower bed, it will soon take over and you’ll have way too much mint on your hands! You can plant it from seed or just yank some out of a friend’s plot and stick it in the dirt in your pot. It will take root in no time and as long as you keep it well watered, it will thrive and continue to grow year after year, with no effort on your part.

Now what do you do with all that mint?

Mojitos
My favorite use for mint is making mojitos. This is a simple and very refreshing drink that can be made with or without alcohol. Just add 1/4 cup of simple syrup (equal parts water and sugar, heated in the microwave until dissolved) to a glass with several sprigs of mint. Use a spoon to crush the mint and release the flavor into the syrup. Then add the juice of half a lime and fill the rest of the glass with club soda. Here you can also add rum to taste.

Lemonade
Everyone loves lemonade in the summertime, and nothing will make your lemonade “pop” like fresh mint! Just add some sprigs of mint to the glass or pitcher and stir around to release the flavors.

Tea
I love mint in my tea, too. Just add some fresh mint to the hot water with the teabag while it’s brewing. When you remove the bag, remove the mint too. This works for hot or cold tea, and tastes particularly good when sweetened.

Garnish
Make tonight’s dessert extra fancy by garnishing it with a sprig of fresh mint. Whether it’s a cake, strawberries and whipped cream, or my lemon sorbet, a sprig of mint will make it look so polished and pretty.

Aromatherapy bath
Bundle together a bunch of mint and toss it in with your bath water for a lovely aroma while you soak. It will make your bathroom smell wonderful as well.

Cooking
Mint is a wonderful addition in many recipes, and goes great with lamb, pork, and Indian food. And who wouldn’t love some homemade mint chocolate chip ice cream!