Zesty Fresh Mint Ice Cream Recipe: A Cool Summer Treat

Cool summer days call for a refreshing mint chocolate chip ice cream that bursts with vibrant, pure flavors.

This homemade dessert captures the essence of fresh, crisp mint leaves in every creamy spoonful.

No store-bought version can match the incredible depth of flavor you’ll create in your own kitchen.

Simple ingredients blend together to craft a smooth, luxurious treat that delights the senses.

Silky cream and bright mint leaves combine into a perfectly balanced frozen dessert that feels both indulgent and light.

Rich chocolate chips add delightful crunch and complexity to each cool bite.

You’ll want to savor every spoonful of this irresistible summer classic.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 60 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 460 kcal

Servings: 5

Fresh Mint Ice Cream Ingredient List

• Whole Milk: Creamy foundation that provides smooth texture and rich mouthfeel for the ice cream.
• Heavy Cream: Adds luxurious richness and creates ultra-smooth consistency.

• Fresh Mint Leaves: Vibrant herb that delivers intense, authentic mint flavor without artificial notes.
• Sugar (Base): Balances flavors and helps create silky, soft ice cream texture.
• Sugar (Watermelon): Enhances natural sweetness and helps break down watermelon's texture.

• Egg Yolks: Crucial for creating custard-like base, adding depth and ensuring creamy, stable ice cream.
• Flaked Sea Salt: Elevates overall flavor profile by highlighting sweet and herbal notes.
• Lemon Juice: Brightens flavor, prevents watermelon from oxidizing, and adds subtle tangy undertone.

• Diced Watermelon: Introduces juicy, summery element and provides natural cooling sensation.

Tools for Creamy Mint Ice Cream at Home

• Food Processor: Essential for pureeing watermelon mixture smoothly.
• Freezer-Safe Dish: Shallow container for freezing watermelon granita.
• Fork: Perfect for scraping ice crystals during freezing process.
• Saucepan: Needed for heating milk, cream, and sugar.
• Mixing Bowl: Great for whisking egg yolks and combining ingredients.
• Fine Mesh Sieve: Crucial for straining custard base.
• Whisk: Helps blend egg yolks and create smooth mixtures.
• Ice Cream Maker: Key tool for churning mint ice cream to creamy perfection.
• Serving Dishes: For presenting beautiful layered dessert.

How to Prepare Mint Ice Cream from Scratch

• Watermelon Granita Foundation

Create a smooth puree by blending watermelon with sugar and lemon juice in a food processor. Pour into a shallow freezer-safe dish and let it transform in the freezer.

• Crystalline Texture Development

Every half hour, gently scrape the edges with a fork, guiding ice crystals toward the center and breaking up large chunks. Continue this ritual for 3-4 hours until the granita reaches perfect frosty consistency.

• Mint Cream Essence

Gently warm milk, sugar, and cream in a saucepan until tiny bubbles dance along the edges. Remove from heat and nestle fresh mint leaves into the liquid. Allow the herbs to whisper their flavor for 1-2 hours.

• Egg Yolk Magic

Whisk egg yolks until silky smooth. Carefully introduce warm mint-infused liquid, tempering the eggs with slow, steady movements.

• Creamy Transformation

Return the mixture to the saucepan, heating gently until it coats a spoon with luxurious thickness. Strain through a delicate sieve and fold in remaining cream.

• Freezing Finale

Chill the mixture thoroughly before churning in an ice cream maker. Layer the mint cream with watermelon granita in serving dishes. Sprinkle a whisper of sea salt for a final flavor flourish. Serve immediately and delight in every spoonful of this cool, refreshing creation.

Tips for Getting the Flavor Just Right

• Kitchen Wisdom
• Steep mint leaves longer for a stronger flavor or shorter for a subtle hint. Young, fresh mint leaves deliver the most vibrant taste compared to older ones.
• Using full-fat dairy ensures a smoother, richer ice cream with fewer ice crystals. Avoid low-fat alternatives that can make the texture grainy.
• Adjust sugar levels depending on the mint's natural sweetness and your preference. Taste the mixture before freezing to perfect the flavor profile.
• Top the dessert with fresh mint leaves, chocolate shavings, or crushed pistachios for added texture and visual appeal. A drizzle of honey can enhance the mint's natural brightness.
• Store the ice cream in an airtight container with plastic wrap directly touching the surface to prevent freezer burn. Consume within one week for optimal taste and texture.

How to Serve Mint Ice Cream That Pops

• Summer Dessert Duo: Layer the watermelon granita and mint ice cream in clear glass cups for a stunning visual treat that captures refreshing flavors.
• Garnish Extravaganza: Top each serving with fresh mint leaves, a sprinkle of sea salt, and delicate lemon zest to enhance the dessert's complex taste profile.
• Elegant Plating Trick: Create elegant swirls by gently folding the granita and ice cream together, allowing beautiful marbled patterns to emerge in each spoonful.
• Texture Adventure: Serve the dessert with crisp almond cookies or thin wafer biscuits on the side to add a delightful crunch that complements the smooth, cold textures.

Smart Storage for Homemade Mint Ice Cream

• Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Store mint ice cream in an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid to prevent freezer burn and maintain optimal texture. Wrap the container in plastic wrap for extra protection against ice crystals.
• Quick Serving Trick: Remove the ice cream from the freezer 5-10 minutes before serving to soften slightly, allowing easier scooping and enhanced flavor release.
• Flavor Preservation Tip: Keep the ice cream away from strong-smelling foods in the freezer to prevent unwanted taste absorption. Place in the coldest part of the freezer for consistent temperature.
• Make-Ahead Magic: This dessert can be prepared up to one week in advance. Cover the surface with plastic wrap directly touching the ice cream to minimize air exposure and prevent ice crystal formation.

Creamy Mint Ice Cream Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Cool, creamy mint ice cream celebrates summer’s freshest herb with a delightful homemade dessert. Rich Italian cream and local mint leaves create a refreshing treat perfect for warm afternoons.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (480 ml) fresh mint leaves
• 5 whole eggs, yolks
• 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
• 2 cups (480 ml) heavy cream
• ¾ cup (150 g) sugar
• ⅓ cup (65 g) sugar
• 3 cups (450 g) diced watermelon
• 1 whole lemon, juiced
• 1 tsp flaked sea salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Watermelon Granita Preparation: Pulverize watermelon, sugar, and lemon juice in a food processor until completely liquefied, then transfer the vibrant mixture into a shallow freezer-safe container.
2. Crystallization Process: Freeze the granita, intermittently scraping edges toward the center every 30 minutes to disrupt ice crystal formation, continuing for 3-4 hours until achieving a uniform, granular texture.
3. Mint Cream Base Creation: Gently heat milk, sugar, and cream in a saucepan until tiny bubbles emerge, then infuse with fresh mint leaves by covering and steeping for 1-2 hours to develop robust flavor.
4. Custard Tempering: Whisk egg yolks until pale, then gradually incorporate warm mint-infused dairy mixture, carefully raising the temperature without curdling the eggs.
5. Base Refinement: Cook the tempered mixture until custard thickens sufficiently, strain through a fine mesh sieve, and incorporate remaining cream to create a silky, smooth base.
6. Chilling and Churning: Refrigerate the mint cream base thoroughly, then churn according to ice cream maker specifications to achieve optimal texture and consistency.
7. Elegant Presentation: Layer the watermelon granita and mint ice cream in serving dishes, garnishing with a delicate sprinkle of sea salt to enhance flavor complexity and provide a sophisticated finish.

Notes

• Mint Infusion Technique: Let mint leaves steep in warm dairy for 1-2 hours to extract maximum flavor depth without bitterness.
• Egg Tempering Mastery: Gradually add hot liquid to egg yolks while whisking continuously to prevent scrambling and ensure smooth custard texture.
• Crystallization Control: Consistently scrape granita edges every 30 minutes to break ice crystals, guaranteeing light, fluffy texture.
• Chilling Importance: Completely cool mint ice cream base in refrigerator before churning to enhance flavor development and smooth consistency.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 60 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 460
• Sugar: 38 g
• Sodium: 0.2 g
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 22 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 41 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 210 mg