How do I bruise mint leaves?

I understand if you bruise them too much they can be bitter? My grandma gave me some mint leaves and I'd like to use them for mojitos! All the recipes assume I know how to bruise the leaves....Um yeah I totally don't.

How do I bruise mint leaves?
Use a pestle or any sort of club-like item (the handle of a wooden spoon is good), and tap the leaves quickly and firmly until they become darker and floppier. They will literally looked "bruised". Do this until about 50% of the leaves are affected, which will keep the mojitos from becoming bitter. This should only take a matter of seconds, depending on how many drinks you are making. All bruising/muddling serves to do is release the natural mint oil by breaking the cell walls of the leaf. Enjoy!
Reply:HEY Talkingcowboy took my answer!!!!!





Well just use the back of a wooden spoon because I know you don't have that glass thingy that normal folks use. Take the back end of the spoon, and place the leaves in a glass or mixing bowl and bruise them by pressing down and twisting your hand as if you were kneading dough. If you had that glass thingy, you would just give it a few nice "punches" to soften it up and release the mint flavor.
Reply:I would just take them in my hand and scrunch them up. I've never heard the bitter thing but if that is the case just scrunch gently.
Reply:I used to just lay them out and start cussing at them and punching them while they sit there cowering on the cutting board.





Now I am a softer, gentler man, and just bruise them with a firm pinch while saying "you're not wearing green".





...even though, of course, they are. ;)
Reply:Use the heal of your knife and whack at 'em.
Reply:In a double shot glass put the leaves then a little of the alcohol that you are going to use just a drop or 2 then as these poeple say use tha back of a wooded spoon ( I use a mudddle) smash down, gentaly and go round and round like a merry go round for just a little. That will bruise em.what the heck is a mojito

hayes