It isnt at all straightforward because without seeing the plant in question it is impossible for us to say if it is dead or merely dormant. If its dead it is dead. If its dormant its alive. And it shouldn't need constant watering in winter unless you live in a very dry climate.

If its dried twigs and roots are threads, then its gone and no amount of water will revive it.

If it went to seed before dying you would see new sprouts in about 2 weeks with moist soil, more mist than water.

Description of roots suggests they are dead in which case there is nothing left to grow back later. The only thing would be if there was a small section of live roots left that you didn't see. But that doesn't seem likely if the problem was the entire pot was allowed to dry out completely. Mints are moisture loving and therefore not so tough when faced with dehydration.

I have to write a mint story here.

Last year I bought a chocolate mint plant and planted it in the garden. It made the MOST delicious tea and cold mint water. I couldn't get enough of it. Over the frozen winter, the voles ate the entire plant, leaving me one fat white root which I carefully replanted this spring.

Not wanting to risk losing it again and not trusting that the chocolate variety would ever be offered again, I bought 6 plants. I put 4 in the garden and 2 in a really big pot to bring indoors for winter, just in case.

The garden plants in the sun are bountiful and spreading. I have cut back the spreading roots. The plants in the pot look terrible even tho they are also in the garden. They need food and water all the time.

I don't think mint likes pots.

I've grown my mint in a large container. It's about 10 years old. As you can see ,it starts to look a little worse for wear by fall.

drmbear Cherry, I am growing spearmint for the first year in a clay pot. A friend gave it to me with the warning not to let it escape. I have never even let the pot sit on the ground in case some roots escaped through the hole in the bottom. Given that you too are trying to keep it out of the ground, how do you store your pots?

I don't know what zone you are in, but here in Zone 5 near Chicago, clay pots will certainly freeze and crack. I could transfer this into a plastic nursery pot.

Thanks.

First, I use very large pots, all plastic composite type. You are right that clay or ceramic pots could crack. Except in winter, when freezing is possible (and when growth is more vigorous) I keep drain pans under the pots that keep roots from working their way into my garden. I have a few of the half barrel type, also plastic, where instead of drilling drain holes in the bottom (where I couldn't see roots) I drilled the drains on the sides, an inch or two up. The biggest problem most will have is way too small pots. And while mints need water and will be affected if dried out, they also don't like being too wet. Let the soil dry most of the way between watering.

Yes, mine was yellow and so dry the leaves just fell off from the lightest breeze of walking by.... Water well at night, brush off all the dried leaves then place in the shade. It may be heat stroke/heat stress... It will perk up some spots in 24hrs, if not then just keep slightly shaded & after about 3 weeks if you don't see improvement, don't give up but get a second plant since it may need to rest & grow up as if brand new, even tho I'm sure the root system is gallon sized, the plants a few inches 🙄 so try this. Mine perked a baby whole runner that was peeking out, it changed color from brown back up to green fluffy, but this from the whole plant that was 7in+ wide & 6in tall, but that sign gives hope!