creme de menthe: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal/Technical (culinary, hospitality)
Quick answer
What does “creme de menthe” mean?
A sweet, mint-flavored liqueur, usually green or colorless, traditionally made by steeping mint leaves in alcohol and adding sugar.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A sweet, mint-flavored liqueur, usually green or colorless, traditionally made by steeping mint leaves in alcohol and adding sugar.
It is primarily used as a digestif or a cocktail ingredient. The term can also be used figuratively to describe the color or flavor of something resembling this liqueur.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in meaning. The French spelling and diacritics are used in both varieties, though they are sometimes omitted in informal contexts (e.g., 'creme de menthe').
Connotations
Connotes sophistication, classic cocktails, and sometimes an old-fashioned or niche taste. In the US, it is strongly associated with the St. Patrick's Day cocktail, the 'grasshopper'.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, limited to specific contexts like bars, cocktail recipes, or discussions of spirits.
Grammar
How to Use “creme de menthe” in a Sentence
[Subject: bartender, recipe] + calls for + crème de menthe[Subject: drink] + is made with + crème de menthe[Subject: color] + reminiscent of + crème de mentheVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “creme de menthe” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The room was painted a crème de menthe green.
- A crème de menthe flavoured chocolate.
American English
- She wore a dress in a crème de menthe color.
- A crème de menthe flavored ice cream.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in the beverage industry, hospitality, and marketing for spirits.
Academic
Rare, possibly in historical or cultural studies of food and drink.
Everyday
Used when discussing cocktails, recipes, or ordering drinks at a bar.
Technical
Used in mixology, bartending, and culinary arts to specify an ingredient.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “creme de menthe”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “creme de menthe”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “creme de menthe”
- Pronouncing 'menthe' as /mɛnθ/ (like 'month') instead of the French /mɒ̃t/ or /mɛnt/.
- Misspelling as 'cream de mint' or 'creme de mint'.
- Confusing it with 'crème de cacao' or other liqueurs.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it comes in both green and white (colorless) varieties. The flavor is the same; the green version uses coloring.
It is usually served straight and chilled as a digestif after a meal, or used as an ingredient in cocktails and desserts.
It is a liqueur, so its alcohol by volume (ABV) is typically between 15% and 30%, lower than most spirits.
Yes, simple versions can be made by infusing vodka or neutral spirits with fresh mint leaves and adding simple syrup, though professional versions are more complex.
A sweet, mint-flavored liqueur, usually green or colorless, traditionally made by steeping mint leaves in alcohol and adding sugar.
Creme de menthe is usually formal/technical (culinary, hospitality) in register.
Creme de menthe: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkrem də ˈmɒ̃t/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkrɛm də ˈmɛnt/ or /ˌkrɛm də ˈmɑnt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Rare] To have a crème de menthe moment: to indulge in something slightly old-fashioned or nostalgic.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'cream of mint' – a smooth, creamy-tasting mint liqueur. The French spelling 'crème' hints at its rich, sweet character.
Conceptual Metaphor
SWEETNESS IS PLEASURE (often an indulgent, after-dinner pleasure); MINT IS FRESHNESS/COOLNESS.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary flavor of crème de menthe?