Every spring, I tell myself I'm going to be more practical in my garden.

Then I plant mint.

And every summer, I remember exactly why.

Mint is the overachiever of the herb world. Give it a little sun, a little water, and suddenly you're wondering if you've accidentally started a mint farm. (Trust me, keep it in a pot unless you're looking for a lifelong commitment.)

The best part? It's one of those plants that makes you look far more put together than you actually are.

Friends coming over? Throw some mint in sparkling water and suddenly you're hosting.

Need a quick side dish? Add it to watermelon and feta and people will ask for the recipe.

Want to feel fancy on a Tuesday? Toss a few leaves into a cocktail and call it self-care.

A Few of My Favourite Uses for Fresh Mint

• Sparkling water, lime, and mint

• Watermelon, feta, and mint salad

• Fresh mint tea

• Homemade simple syrup for cocktails or iced tea

• Fruit platters that look like you planned ahead

• Pretty much anything that needs a little summer energy

And speaking of summer energy...

This is one of those recipes that tastes like you spent far more effort than you actually did. My favourite kind.

No complicated ingredients. No kitchen gadgets you'll use once and then store beside the bread maker.

Just a ridiculously refreshing drink that's perfect for patio season.

Blackberry Mint Moscow Mules

This is one of those recipes that tastes like you spent far more effort than you actually did. My favourite kind.

So if you've got a mint plant sitting on your deck right now, consider this your sign to stop admiring it and start using it. Your summer drinks, salads, and hosting game will thank you.

And if your mint somehow takes over the entire container by August? Don't worry. That's not a bug. It's a feature.

— Erika 🌿