Cross and Blackwell Mint Sauce

Cross and Blackwell mint sauce has been a staple in British cuisine. Its refreshing, tangy flavor complements all dishes, especially rich meats like lamb. 

The best part is that Crosse & Blackwell mint sauce is super easy to make. You can prepare it at home and store it for two weeks. All you need are mint leaves, sugar, vinegar, salt, and water. 

You can adjust the taste as per your preferences. For example, if you want tanginess, add some lemon juice. But if you want sweetness, add some more sugar. This article will take you to the recipe guide with some additional tips on how you can make this tangy sauce to your taste buds. 

Understanding Cross and Blackwell Mint Sauce

Cross and Blackwell Mint Sauce is famous for its aromatic mint flavor. It’s widely used as a lamb roast topping, a marinade base, and an addition to many meals. C&B mint sauce generally has a sweet, spicy, tangy flavour. Its original version has Egyptian mint leaves, malt vinegar, sugar, white vinegar, and salt. You can prepare it at home easily, even with local mint leaves. Once you make this sauce, you store it for up to 2 weeks and enjoy every meal within this time.

Ingredients You Need

Before you prepare the mint sauce for lamb, make sure you have the following ingredients. 

Fresh Mint Leaves

Use 1 cup of finely chopped mint leaves, preferably spearmint leaves. These will give a sweet, mild taste just like the original mint sauce Cross and Blackwell. 

Malt Vinegar 

½ cup of malt vinegar will add tanginess and depth to the sauce like the real one. 

Distilled White Vinegar 

2 tablespoons of distilled white vinegar can balance the intensity of malt vinegar. This will even make the sauce brighter.

Sugar

Use 2 tablespoons of sugar to balance the acidity of vinegars and enhance the flavor.

Water

You will need 2 tablespoons of boiling water to dissolve the sugar and dilute the vinegar.

Salt

½ teaspoon of salt can balance the flavors. 

Garlic (Optional)

Using 1 small clove of minced garlic can add a subtle depth and complexity to the sauce. 

How To Make Cross and Blackwell Mint Sauce? 5 Simple Steps

Follow these steps below to make the traditional English mint sauce at home.

Step 1

First, rinse the fresh mint leaves and pat them dry. Then remove the stems of the leaves and finely chop the leaves. This will help release all the essential oils.

Step 2

Take a small bowl and put it in boiling water and sugar. Keep stirring until the sugar dissolves completely. 

Step 3

Now, add all ingredients into that bowl. First, add the chopped mint leaves and stir them. Then add malt vinegar, distilled white vinegar, salt, and garlic. Stir everything so that all ingredients combine.

Step 4

Let the sauce sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. This is called the steeping process, where all flavors of the sauce meld together. If you want a more intense flavor, steep for some more hours or keep in the refrigerator overnight. 

Step 5

Transfer the mint sauce to a sterilized glass jar that has a tight-fitting lid. Now you can store it in the refrigerator. But make sure to use the sauce within two weeks for optimal freshness.

Best Pairings For Cross & Blackwell Mint Sauce

Here are some dishes that best pair with Crosse & Blackwell mint sauce:

• Grilled chicken or pork
• Roasted or grilled lamb
• Steamed vegetables 
• Salads
• Sandwiches and wraps
• Feta cheese appetisers 
• Marinade base for meats.

Special Tips

Do follow these tips while preparing your British mint condiment.

• Always choose freshly picked mint leaves to get the best aroma.
• Allow the sauce to sit overnight to intensify the flavors.
• Refrigerate in a glass jar and consume within less than 2 weeks, preferably 1 week
• Freeze the mint leaves beforehand so that the freshness stays intact
• For a smoother consistency, blend the sauce in an immersion blender
• Adjust sugar and vinegar ratios as per your taste preferences.

How to Adjust the Flavor of Cross and Blackwell Mint Sauce?

Here are some techniques to help you adjust the flavor of your sauce and match Crosse and Blackwell condiments.

• Balance the vinegar: Use malt vinegar and white vinegar at a ratio of 2:1. This will make the sauce tangy, but not harsh.
• Add citric acid: For a commercial-style brightness, add a pinch of citric powder or lemon juice.
• Give a sweet taste: Do it when the sauce is too sharp. Increase the amount of sugar slightly, i.e., by ½ teaspoon.
• Give a layered minty flavor: For this, add 1 teaspoon of dried mint along with some fresh mint.

Conclusion 

Starting from salads to Sunday roast, every dish goes well with Cross and Blackwell mint sauce. As per the Crosse and Blackwell sauce review, this sauce can tweak the sweetness and tartness. It means people with every taste bud will love it. 

Whenever you make Cross & Blackwell sauce, make sure you are using dried mint leaves. And if you are a mint lover and want layers of mint, use both fresh mint and dried mint in the sauce. But make sure to use the sauce within one week, not more than two weeks. Again, sweet lovers can increase the amount of sugar, and tangy lovers can add some citrus powder to the sauce. 

Let us know how you customised your tangy herb sauce, and how the experience was 

FAQ

What Does Cross and Blackwell Mint Sauce Taste Like?

C&B mint sauce has a very unique taste. It is full of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors.

How Do You Use Crosse and Blackwell Mint Sauce?

You can use this tangy green sauce as an accompaniment for various dishes. Such as sausages, roasted lamb, salads, grilled chicken, and many other meals.

Is It Good for Lamb or Other Meats?

Yes, Crosse & Blackwell Mint Sauce is a good pairing for lamb and other meats. Thanks to the sweet, spicy, and tangy notes it has, it complements all meats.

Where Can You Buy Crosse and Blackwell Mint Sauce?

This mint vinegar sauce is available in many online stores. Such as Amazon, Martin’s Super Market, Safeway, Kroger, Britsuperstore, King Soopers, Ralphs, and many more.