Smacking the garnish releases the aromatics of fresh herbs and adds a nice showy touch to herb-forward drinks like a mojito or a basil-enhanced gin and tonic. To understand why, you have to understand how herbs make a drink taste better.

Does slapping mint activate it?

Just tossing it in there won't do anything, so that's where your hands come in. Place the leaves or sprig in one hand and gently smack it with the other — this warms up the mint slightly and starts to extract the oils before you use it to garnish your drink.

How do you make mint taste stronger?

To get the most flavor from fresh mint, bruise the leaves. Place the sprigs in a plastic bag and smash them with a meat mallet. This releases their oils—perfect for lemonade and iced or hot tea.