Green Grape Mint Porch

Crushed green grapes give water a gentle sweetness that feels different from pouring in grape juice. Lemon supplies a little tartness, and mint makes the aroma fresher. Seedless grapes are easiest, although you can strain the drink if needed. Press the grapes enough to split their skins; whole grapes look attractive but contribute very little flavor. This is deliberately light, with small pieces of fruit in the glass and a cool, clean finish.

Ingredients

• 5 oz Cold water
• 1/4 cup Seedless green grapes, halved
• 4 leaf Mint leaves
• 1/4 oz Lemon juice

Make it

1. Prepare the fruit and herbs as listed. Mash soft fruit to release juice; lightly press herbs or thin ginger slices without shredding them.
2. Add the still juices and stir. Strain out seeds, skins or herb pieces if you prefer a smoother texture.
3. Stir in the cold water. Let fresh fruit, herbs or ginger infuse for 5 minutes, then remove the ginger or herb sprigs when the flavor suits you. Serve chilled.

Benefits

Lemon · a little vitamin C

The 1/4 oz of lemon juice adds some vitamin C for absorbing iron from plant foods, with grape and mint rounding out the flavor.

Grape, mint, and lemon

The grape contributes a rounded fruit sweetness to mint and lemon, giving you a specific flavor combination to reach for instead of a default pour.