🇫🇷 French Cuisine · Drinks

Diabolo Menthe

Prep

2 mins

Cook

0 mins

Serves

1

Difficulty

Easy

A refreshing French café drink of bright green mint syrup topped with sparkling lemonade, beloved by schoolchildren.

Ingredients

  • 500g chicken thighs
  • 400g baguette
  • a handful of sliced shallots
  • 2 tsp cracked black peppercorns
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 200g carrots
  • a handful of fresh chervil, chopped
  • a generous spoonful of lemon zest
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • 2 tsp fresh thyme
  • 1 cup shallots, sliced
  • a generous spoonful of cognac

Instructions

  1. 1

    Combine the brioche and whole milk in a saucepan, blender, or pitcher, stirring well.

  2. 2

    Add the herbes de Provence and unsalted butter, stirring gently so their flavor infuses the mixture.

  3. 3

    Heat gently over low heat (or blend, or steep, depending on the drink) until well combined and fragrant, about 0 mins.

  4. 4

    Strain through a fine sieve to remove any solids, if needed.

  5. 5

    Sweeten to taste with lemon zest, adjusting gradually until the balance feels right.

  6. 6

    Chill in the refrigerator, or pour straight over ice, depending on whether it is served cold or hot.

  7. 7

    Garnish with parsley just before serving.

Tips

Make a big batch and keep it chilled in the fridge — the flavor often deepens after a few hours.

Adjust the sweetness gradually, tasting as you go — you can always add more lemon zest, but you cannot take it away.