Easy Fruit Salad with Mint Syrup Recipe
A refreshing and vibrant Easy Fruit Salad featuring a medley of fresh berries and kiwi tossed in a sweet, aromatic mint syrup. Perfect for a light dessert or healthy snack, this fruit salad combines natural sweetness with a hint of vanilla and lemon zest for a delightful flavor experience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes plus optional 30 minutes chilling
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Sweet Mint Syrup
- 1 cup fresh mint leaves
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- ½ cup water
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Fruit Salad
- 4 cups seedless watermelon, chopped
- 2 cups strawberries, chopped
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 cup raspberries
- 1 cup blackberries
- 1 cup kiwi fruit, sliced
Instructions
- Prepare the mint syrup: In a saucepan, combine the mint leaves, sugar, lemon zest, and water. Place over medium heat and bring to a boil, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves. Let it cook for 2 minutes to infuse the flavors, then remove from heat.
- Add vanilla and strain: Stir in the vanilla extract into the hot syrup. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature, then strain it through a fine-mesh strainer to remove the mint leaves and lemon zest, setting the syrup aside.
- Toss the fruit: In a large bowl, gently combine the chopped watermelon, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and sliced kiwi until evenly mixed.
- Add mint syrup to fruit: Pour ½ cup of the cooled mint syrup over the fruit and gently toss to coat all pieces evenly with the syrup’s flavor.
- Serve or chill: Serve the fruit salad immediately as a fresh treat or refrigerate for 30 minutes to let the flavors meld. Optionally, serve in individual glasses garnished with fresh mint sprigs for an elegant presentation.
Notes
- Use fresh, ripe fruit for the best flavor and texture.
- The mint syrup can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Chilling the salad enhances the infusion of flavors but can be served immediately if preferred.
- For added crunch, consider topping with chopped nuts like almonds or walnuts.
- Adjust sugar amount in the syrup based on the sweetness of the fruit used.
