What Kind of Mint Do You Put in Water? A Guide to Fresh Infusions

December 28, 2025 •

5 min read

Historically, mint has been used for thousands of years as a culinary herb and for medicinal purposes. To make a truly refreshing drink, knowing what kind of mint to put in water is essential for achieving your desired flavor profile and benefits, such as soothing digestion.

Quick Summary

This article explores the best mint varieties for infused water, contrasting the mild, sweet taste of spearmint with the bold, cooling effect of peppermint. Learn how to prepare and infuse mint for a perfect, refreshing drink to boost your daily hydration.

Key Points

Spearmint is Mild and Sweet: It's the most common mint, perfect for a subtle, refreshing flavor and mixing with other ingredients.
Peppermint is Strong and Cooling: Choose this variety for an intense, bold minty flavor and a strong menthol cooling sensation.
Mojito Mint is the Traditionalist's Choice: Use this milder, Cuban variety for a subtle citrusy undertone in cocktails and infused water.
Bruise the Leaves for Best Flavor: Gently crushing the mint leaves releases their aromatic oils, intensifying the flavor of your infused water.
Mint Water is a Hydration Booster: It's a low-calorie, flavorful alternative to sugary drinks, which encourages better water intake.
Infuse for Flavor and Benefits: Allow mint leaves to steep for at least one hour, or overnight for a stronger infusion, to release flavors and potential health benefits.
Experiment with Pairings: Try combining mint with fruits like lemon, berries, or cucumber for a variety of delicious and refreshing infused waters.

Choosing the Right Mint for Your Water

Selecting the right type of mint can make all the difference in your infused water. Each variety offers a unique flavor profile, from subtle sweetness to intense cooling sensations. The most popular choices are spearmint and peppermint, but other culinary mints can also provide delightful twists.

Spearmint: The Mild and Sweet Option

Spearmint (Mentha spicata) is the most common variety found in grocery stores and is a favorite for infused drinks.

Flavor Profile: Spearmint has a clean, sweet flavor with a light menthol note, which is much softer than peppermint. Its milder taste comes from a high concentration of carvone rather than menthol.
Best For: Everyday refreshing water, mojitos, and when you want the mint flavor to be pleasant but not overpowering. It pairs wonderfully with a wide range of fruits and other herbs.

Peppermint: The Bold and Cool Sensation

Peppermint (Mentha × piperita) is a hybrid of spearmint and water mint, known for its intense aroma and flavor.

Flavor Profile: Peppermint offers a much stronger, sharper flavor with a powerful cooling effect due to its high menthol content. Some might describe it as having an almost spicy kick.
Best For: Those who prefer a very pronounced minty flavor in their water. It is particularly effective for respiratory relief when dealing with congestion. However, it can sometimes taste like toothpaste if over-infused.

Mojito Mint: A Milder, Cuban Cultivar

For a more authentic, understated flavor, some enthusiasts prefer Mojito Mint (Mentha x villosa), a variety native to Cuba.

Flavor Profile: This mint has a milder, sweeter, and more subtle character than standard spearmint, allowing other flavors in a drink to shine.
Best For: Crafting perfect mojitos and other citrus-based infused waters where you want a clean mint undertone without the intense menthol kick.

Other Unique Mint Varieties

Chocolate Mint: This peppermint cultivar has a hint of chocolate aroma, making it a crowd-pleaser for creative dessert-style beverages.
Apple Mint: With a fruity, apple-like aroma, this variety adds a sweet and fresh note to infusions.
Orange Mint: Another peppermint hybrid, orange mint adds a citrusy flavor that pairs excellently with limes and berries.

How to Prepare Mint for Infusion

Proper preparation is key to extracting the maximum flavor from your mint leaves. Simply dropping the leaves into water will provide some flavor, but following a few simple steps will intensify the result.

Select and Wash: Choose fresh, healthy sprigs, avoiding any that are wilted or discolored. Rinse the mint thoroughly under cool water to remove any dirt or debris.
Bruise the Leaves: Gently crush or bruise the mint leaves. This releases the aromatic oils that carry the flavor. You can do this by clapping the sprigs between your palms, rolling them with a rolling pin, or using a muddler for a more controlled crush. Avoid pulverizing the leaves, as this can release bitter compounds.
Add to Water: Place the bruised mint sprigs into a pitcher or jar. For a strong flavor, you can steep the leaves in a small amount of boiling water for 15 minutes before adding cold water. For a simple cold infusion, just add the sprigs to cold water.
Infuse and Chill: Let the water infuse in the refrigerator for at least one hour to allow the flavors to develop. A longer infusion time, up to several hours, will result in a more potent mint flavor. You can top up the water as you drink it, and the mint will continue to infuse for up to three days.

Spearmint vs. Peppermint for Infused Water: A Comparison


Feature	Spearmint	Peppermint
Flavor	Mild, sweet, and subtle	Strong, sharp, and intense
Menthol Content	Very low (approx. 0.5%)	High (approx. 40%)
Cooling Sensation	Gentle and mild	Strong and invigorating
Aroma	Sweet and fresh	Pungent and almost spicy
Culinary Use	Common in savory dishes, mojitos, and general use	Common in desserts, candy, and tea
Best For Infusions	Everyday drinking, light flavor, fruit pairings	A bold, powerful mint flavor; potential respiratory relief

Pairing Your Mint: Delicious Flavor Combinations

Mint water can be enjoyed plain, but it also pairs exceptionally well with other fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Here are some popular combinations to try:

Mint and Lemon/Lime: The classic combination for a crisp, zesty flavor. Use Mojito mint for a traditional feel.
Mint and Cucumber: Create a spa-like, refreshing water that is incredibly hydrating and subtle in flavor.
Mint and Berries: Combine spearmint with fresh strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries for a sweet and fruity infusion.
Mint and Ginger: For a warming yet refreshing drink, infuse mint with a few slices of fresh ginger.
Mint and Rosemary: Add a sprig of rosemary for a unique, aromatic, and savory twist.

Health Benefits of Mint Water

Beyond its refreshing taste, mint-infused water offers several potential health benefits. It is a calorie-free, sugar-free way to increase your hydration and can replace high-calorie, sugary drinks.

Digestive Relief: Mint contains compounds like menthol that can help soothe indigestion, gas, and bloating.
Antioxidant Properties: Mint is rich in antioxidants that help protect your body from oxidative stress.
Relieves Congestion: The menthol in peppermint, in particular, can help relieve nasal congestion and soothe the airways.
Freshens Breath: Mint naturally helps combat bad breath by fighting odor-causing bacteria in the mouth.
Reduces Stress: The scent of mint can have a calming effect, helping to lower cortisol levels.

Conclusion: Finding Your Perfect Mint Infusion

When deciding what kind of mint to put in water, the choice ultimately comes down to your personal flavor preference. For a classic, sweet, and mild infusion that pairs well with most fruits, spearmint is the perfect choice. If you desire a bold, intensely cooling sensation, opt for peppermint. For a softer citrusy note, use Mojito mint. No matter which variety you choose, infusing water with fresh mint is a simple and delicious way to stay hydrated and enjoy a range of potential health benefits. By following a few simple preparation steps, you can create a customized and refreshing beverage that is far more exciting than plain water. For more information on the health benefits of mint, you can reference the comprehensive guide on Healthline.

Healthline provides further details on the health benefits of mint water

Frequently Asked Questions

For daily drinking, spearmint is often considered the best choice. It offers a mild, sweet, and classic mint flavor that is pleasant and not overpowering, pairing well with a variety of other ingredients like lemon and cucumber.

Yes, you can use peppermint in your water, but be aware that it has a much stronger, more intense flavor and cooling effect due to its high menthol content. Use it sparingly to avoid an overpowering or 'toothpaste-like' taste.

Yes, gently bruising the mint leaves is crucial for releasing the essential oils that give mint its flavor. Simply add the bruised sprigs to your water to allow the flavors to infuse properly.

For a subtle flavor, infuse for at least one hour. For a stronger taste, you can let it steep for several hours or overnight in the refrigerator. You can also top up the water as you drink it.

Yes, mint water is generally safe to drink every day for most people in moderate amounts. It is a healthy, low-calorie alternative to sugary beverages. However, individuals with GERD or those who are pregnant should consult a healthcare professional.

The main difference is the menthol content. Spearmint has very little menthol, giving it a sweet and mild flavor. Peppermint contains high levels of menthol, resulting in a bold, sharp, and distinctly cooling taste.

While fresh mint is best for a light and crisp flavor, you can use dried mint leaves or even a mint tea bag as a substitute. The flavor will be different and potentially less subtle than using fresh sprigs.

To enhance your mint water, try adding complementary ingredients. Sliced cucumbers, lemons, or a handful of fresh berries are classic choices that add extra flavor and nutritional benefits.