Fresh Mint Ice Cream Recipe | Cook the Book

I once took my friend to an ice cream shop that made mint ice cream from real mint, as opposed to the artificial stuff you find it most places. After taking one bite she alleged that it didn't taste...

DIY Chocolate Liqueur

Delicately sweet with a hint of bitterness, swapping out store-bought chocolate liqueur with this homemade version made with cacao nibs is like adding expensive dark chocolate to your drink instead of a jigger of Nestle Quik.

Lemon Mint Sherbet

This Lemon Mint Sherbet is a shining example of Medrich's way with the processor. Instead of breaking out the ice cream maker, she's come up with an innovative method to make smooth, lemony sherbet by freezing the base and then whizzing it in the bowl of the food processor, aerating it, and then returning to the freezer to firm it up a bit more. It's bright, fresh, and even a little sparkly, and the best part is there's no need to dust off the ice cream maker.

Chocolate Mint Julep Cocktail

Twisting the classic mint julep idea just a bit, this variation substitutes crème de cacao for the sugar, adding a chocolate flavor that pairs well with both bourbon and mint.

DIY Mole Bitters

The exotic combination of chile and chocolate in these mole bitters is a perfect addition to cocktails made with tequila, mezcal, or dark rum.

DIY Ginger Liqueur

This homemade ginger liqueur tastes so elegant that people will not believe you made it yourself. It can compete with Domaine de Canton on flavor—for less than half the cost and only 30 minutes of work.

DIY Root Beer Liqueur

The woodsy, complex flavors of root beer are right at home in a liqueur. Use it in cocktails like you would an amaro or in sweet concoctions for a bold and unusual flavor.

DIY Sweet Vermouth

Sweet vermouth has a delicate balance of rich, spicy, sweet, and bitter flavors, and is an essential ingredient in dozens of classic cocktails.

DIY Strawberry Liqueur

A sweet liqueur flavored with strawberries and tarragon.

The Best Mint Chip Ice Cream

No mint leaves can match the charged blast of a slug of mint extract, but fresh mint ice cream has an unbeatable roundness of flavor you just can't find in a bottle. Add in lacy straciatella swirls that don't turn brittle like regular frozen chocolate for a mint chip ice cream that'll put all the others to bed.