Hi, I’m Elien!

I’m a New Zealand-based food blogger and recipe developer who’s been creating and photographing recipes for over a decade. Mint and Twist is my drinks blog, it covers the classics so you’ve got a solid base to start from, but also brings in more fun seasonal flavors and creative twists. I’ve been leaning way more into mocktails lately too, partly because a drink that isn’t alcoholic shouldn’t be boring or flat, and partly because my two boys can actually join in that way. The flavor combinations matter just as much, and honestly they’re so fun to develop.

I got here through food blogging, which I’ve been doing across a few different blogs and even a book. It’s the perfect creative outlet, I work at my own pace, I only make things me and my family actually love, and nothing gets wasted. Drinks slot into that so naturally and they’re not as technical as baking so there’s way more freedom to just play, the flavor options are kind of endless, and they photograph so well.