Mint Simple Syrup with Strawberries and Apricots is a delightful light dessert for spring or summer. On its own or over ice cream, it's absolutely delicious!
While of course both apricots and strawberries are sweet and juicy on their own, sometimes it's fun to enhance them a bit with Mint Simple Syrup.
I especially like to do this at the beginning of strawberry season, when the berries haven't quite reached their peak sweetness yet.
This is a very refreshing and light dessert that pleases everyone.
If you've never had an apricot or strawberry mint dessert, watch out!
What is Mint Simple Syrup?
- Simple syrup is a mixture of equal parts sugar and water. To make this mint version, fresh mint leaves are added. (This recipe is slightly lighter with two parts water and one part sugar.)
- Simple syrup is commonly used in mixed drinks, coffee drinks and in various dessert recipes.
What does Mint Simple Syrup do to fruit?
- While the fruit keeps its form, it softens it a bit, making it melt-in-your-mouth delicious!
- The syrup adds sweetness, which is lovey when the fruit isn't quite as sweet as you might like.
- The mint gives the fruit a bright and refreshing taste.
When to Serve it
This can be a fantastic side dish for brunch, and of course an amazing dessert anytime!
Recipe Tips and Substitutions
- The longer you let the fruit marinate, the more intense the mint flavor will be.
- When and if you serve this over ice cream (which I strongly suggest!), after adding the fruit, drizzle some of the Mint Simple Syrup on top.
- Save any leftover syrup and add more sliced fruit to it.
Can you use other fruits?
I love the apricots and strawberries together. You can use all sorts of fruits, depending on the season and your taste -- raspberries, blackberries, peaches, pitted cherries and plums would all be delicious.
How far ahead can you make this?
This should me made at least an hour ahead, and can be made up to four days ahead of time. (It will definitely keep even longer, but will be best during that time.)
I hope you love the strawberries and apricots in mint simple syrup as much as I do!
More desserts with fresh fruit:
- Grapefruit Brûlée Recipe
- Fresh Raspberry Cupcakes
- Turmeric Cake with Blood Oranges
- Strawberry Frangipane Toast Recipe
- Blueberry Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Peach Berry Dessert Pizza
Mint Simple Syrup with Strawberries and Apricots
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- about 1 cup loosely packed mint leaves, washed and dried (whole sprigs are okay)
- 1 cup strawberries, washed and dried, very thinly sliced
- 1 cup apricots (about 4 whole apricots), washed and dried, very thinly sliced
Instructions
- Make the syrup. Add the water, sugar and mint leaves to a small saucepan, and place it over high heat. Bring to a boil and then immediately remove from the stove. Pour the syrup into a medium-sized bowl and let it cool until it's warm, but not cold.
- Marinate the fruit. Add the fruit to the syrup, place it in the refrigerator, and let it marinate for at least 1 hour and ideally overnight. (You can make this up to 4 days ahead.)
- Serve. When you're ready to serve, use a slotted spoon to remove the fruit. (Save the syrup to add more fruit to later.)
Notes
angiesrecipes
A berry refreshing and delicious dessert...perfect for summer when the berries are in great abundance.
angiesrecipes
valentina
"Berry" refreshing! 😀 thanks, Angie. ~Valentina
David Scott Allen
Such a beautiful and light dessert… and our mint is mg crazy in the garden!
valentina
I imagine you have the most wonderful garden, David! 🙂 ~Valentina
Liz
What a yummy ice cream topping! I'd pick this over chocolate 100% of the time. Now if I could just find some decent apricots!
valentina
Thank you! I bet you'll start seeing beautiful apricots soon, Liz. They only recently began showing up all of here in southern CA. 🙂 ~Valentina
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Such a lovely summer dessert! Plus, the colours are so pretty together! This looks like a mus t try! Great use for our mint too (we have so much in the summer months)!
valentina
Thanks so much, Dawn. Enjoy! 🙂 ~Valentina
2pots2cook
Valentina, your photos are super beautiful !!! I guess the dessert also tastes great !!! Must do !!!
valentina
Many thanks, Davorka. Enjoy! 🙂 ~Valentina
John / Kitchen Riffs
We have a huge patch of mint, so I'm all set to make the simple syrup. This is such a lovely dessert -- nice seasonal flavors. Thanks!
valentina
Thank you, John! Ironically, mint is the only thing I currently don't have in my "kitchen" garden. I know it grows like crazy, so I should really plant some. 🙂 ~Valentina
Jeff the Chef
Beautiful! I've had mint paired with raspberries, but why did I not realize that it would pair with other fruits? What a delightful idea.
valentina
I love mint with so many fruits. Enjoy and thank you, Jeff! 🙂 ~Valentina