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The dessert, Light and fresh

Summer fruit salad with mint

Summer fruit salad with mint is a fresh dessert for 6 people, made with peaches, apricots, melon, strawberries, and raspberries in a lime and mint syrup. It takes 30 minutes of active work, with the firm fruit prepped the night before and the berries added the morning of, making it very easy and costing €2.00 per person. The key is adding the berries only on the day so they keep their shape.

For dessert, a fresh summer fruit salad, a light mint and lime syrup over peaches, apricots, and strawberries.

Summer fruit salad with mint
For
6 people
Work
30 min
Total time
1 h
Prep
Prepared the day before
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€2.00
Calories per person
140 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach

This is the dessert that smells like summer the moment you lift the lid off the bowl, between juicy peach, fragrant apricot, and the fresh scent of mint steeping in the syrup. Lime adds a touch of acidity that wakes everything up, and the halved strawberries practically eat like candy by the spoonful, alongside raspberries that burst gently with every bite.

It's an ideal dessert for a dinner party on the patio, a sunny family lunch, or a kid's summer birthday, since it appeals to every age and needs no knife at the table. It naturally follows a richer main course, grilled meats or a barbecue, and leaves room for an extra sweet touch, ice cream or a shortbread cookie, without weighing down the meal.

The schedule

What happens when, so you can be with your guests instead of in the kitchen.

  1. The day before 2 steps, 30 min
  2. The same day 1 step, 10 min
  3. Before the guests arrive Nothing to do
  4. When it's time to serve 1 step

The night before, make the mint and lime syrup, then dice the peaches, apricots, and melon and let them marinate in the fridge overnight. In the morning, simply fold in the strawberries and raspberries and keep chilled until serving. Right before serving, scatter over shredded mint and lime zest to keep the aroma intact.

The ingredients

6 people

Fruits and vegetables

  • Peaches 4
  • Apricots 4
  • Melon 1
  • Strawberries 300 g
  • Raspberries 150 g
  • Fresh mint 10 sprigs
  • Lime 2

Pantry

  • Sugaroften in the pantry 60 g
  • Wateroften in the pantry 15 cl

The recipe, moment by moment

The day beforeWhat's better after resting overnight in the fridge.

  1. Heat the water with the sugar until it dissolves, off the heat add half the mint and the juice of one lime, then let it steep and cool completely. 10 min

    Don't let the mint boil, it turns bitter.

  2. Cut the peaches, apricots, and melon into even cubes and toss them with the strained syrup. 20 min

    Even-sized cubes make for an elegant salad you can eat with a spoon.

The same dayDuring the day, whenever you get a moment.

  1. Add the halved strawberries and whole raspberries at the last moment, mix gently, and return to the fridge. 10 min

    Berries break down quickly, so they only go in on the morning of.

When it's time to serveThe final touches, right in front of your guests.

  1. Serve well chilled, topped with shredded mint leaves and lime zest.

    Add the shredded mint at the very last moment to keep its aroma intact.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick fruit that's ripe but still firm, especially the peaches and apricots, so the cubes hold their shape on a spoon instead of turning mushy.
  • Taste the syrup before mixing it into the fruit, some melons and peaches are already quite sweet, so you can cut back on the sugar next time.
  • Serve the salad in tall glasses or individual bowls rather than one big bowl, it looks more polished without any extra work.

The variations

  • Swap the melon for chilled watermelon, it adds even more juice and a color that stands out nicely against the peaches.
  • For a quicker version, stick to fruit that doesn't brown, like melon, strawberries, and raspberries, and skip the lime juice in the diced fruit step.
  • For kids, serve the salad with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side, the mint syrup works as a sauce.

What to serve it with

  • A buttery shortbread cookie
  • A scoop of vanilla ice cream or yogurt
  • Homemade mint iced tea

Storage

The salad keeps 1 to 2 days in the fridge in a sealed container, but the berries soften quickly, so it's best eaten the same day once added. It doesn't freeze well.

Questions about this recipe

Can I swap one of the fruits for another summer fruit?

Yes, nectarines or black currants work well in place of one of the fruits listed. Just keep a mix of firm fruit and berries for a good balance of textures.

Do I need to peel the peaches and apricots?

It's not necessary if the skin is thin and the fruit is well washed, it actually helps the cubes hold together. If you prefer a softer texture, you can peel them quickly after a dip in hot water.

How do I present this salad for a slightly fancier dinner?

Serve it in individual glasses or dessert cups rather than one large bowl, topped with a fresh mint leaf. A drizzle of syrup added right before serving gives it a nice glossy finish.

What if the kids don't like mint?

You can keep the mint only in the strained syrup and skip sprinkling any on top before serving. The flavor stays light and subtle while the salad keeps its refreshing character.

Can a summer fruit salad with mint be made ahead?

Yes, it's even recommended. The recipe needs 30 min of work in total, split up like this, the day before, 2 steps, the same day, 1 step, when it's time to serve, 1 step.

How long does it take to make a summer fruit salad with mint?

Allow 1 h in total, including resting and cooking time, of which 30 min is actual work. The recipe is rated "very easy".

How many calories are in a summer fruit salad with mint?

About 140 kcal per person, for a recipe meant for 6 people. The calories are calculated by Kiloach, your kilo coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a summer fruit salad with mint cost?

About €2.00 per person, that's €12.00 for 6 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe doesn't contain any of the major allergens tracked by Mon Chou. It's still a good idea to ask your guests about their allergies.

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