Homemade mint extract is easy to make and a great and cost effective alternative to buying the over priced little bottles.
Mint extract is great to keep around the house or to give out as a thoughtful holiday gift.
Mint is one of my favorite flavors, especially when combined with chocolate. I honestly can't think of any flavor I like better than chocolate mint!
In Israel mint is common but as an herb not a flavor.
As the weather turns cold, I can't help craving the familiar tastes as much as the snow I left behind in New York.
Using fresh mint to make mint tea leaves or mint tea is great, but where are the mint brownies and mint hot chocolate?
I long for mint chocolate chip cookies and Girl Scout thin mints.
To make these wonderful treats you need one key ingredient: mint extract.
Mint extract, like vanilla extract, is expensive but ridiculously easy to make at home and for a fraction of the price.
Homemade mint extract is also great to give out as holiday gifts!
Make a few batches and divide into smaller bottles, or get with the holiday spirit and generously give a batch to each person.
I don't know about you, but my favorite gifts to both give and receive are usually of the homemade variety.
It feels much more personal that way, and no one has to know just how easy it was to make right?
Not to mention it cuts down on the holiday shopping!
If you're interested in making other extracts as well, see my lemon extract and my orange extract recipes.
Garden Mint Tips:
If you are using mint from a garden check well for cocoons. I often find them.
Wash well and remove leaves from stem.
Mint Extract Tip:
While the vodka by no means has to be great quality, it ideally shouldn't be bad quality.
Like wine you cook with, it should be a decent quality you would drinking.
This rule applies to vanilla extract as well.
Homemade Mint Extract
Mint extract is simple to make and costs a fraction of the price
Ingredients
- 1 cup mint leaves (30 grams)
- 1 and ½ cup vodka (355 milliliters)
Instructions
- If you are using mint from your garden, check the leaves for cocoons. Wash the mint and pat dry.
- Remove the leaves from the stem and lightly crush them to help release the oils.
- Place the leaves in a clean glass jar. Add the vodka and keep in a dark place.
- Shake occasionally. Let sit for 6 to 8 weeks. Remove the leaves and set aside for use.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
72Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 4Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 0gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 0g
I was able to turn my brown extract into a pleasing shade of green by adding a few drops of yellow and blue food coloring. I am hoping it tastes good in the cookies I am making.
Thanks for the excellent advice.
Would Everclear, diluted to 80 to 100 proof with distilled water, work instead of Vodka?
I've never tried it but it should work. I would recommend using distilled water if you decide to try it.
@Matthew, Everclear is simply a vodka with a higher alcohol by volume (ABV), about 95%, whereas typical vodkas are about 40%. Higher ABV makes better extracts in most cases, when the compounds in your material is soluble in alcohol, like mint.
How can I use garden grown mint for sun (ice) tea?
Inspired by you I'm putting up a mint sun-tea recipe soon! Here's the recipe before it goes up on it's own page
2 quarts water
¼ cup honey
1 large lemon, zested and juiced
3 cups fresh mint leaves, washed
2 bags black tea, optional
Pour water into a large glass container with a lid. Add honey, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Stir until the honey is dissolved.
Crunch the mint leaves and immerse the water mixture. Add teabags and cover the container. Place in direct sunlight for 2 hours.
Strain and discard the mint and teabags. Refrigerate until chilled and serve over ice.
Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.
Do you save the mint leaves for anything or just throw away?
They've given all they have to give at this point so I compost them.
How long is the shelf life for this? I'm making some tomorrow!
If stored properly, about a 10 years.
Hi,
Instead of vodka, can I use diluted 70% alcohol, like the one they sell in Superpharm?
No, that is toxic to ingest.
@Iris, Pharmaceutical alcohols are denatured to make it toxic. Stick with vodka or another consumable spirit (liquors contain ethanol).
Can I use dry mint instead if fresh?
Yes, if the mint is dried from your garden and not store bought. If so, you can use between 1/3 and 1/2 a cup of dried mint instead of fresh mint.
I live in the Philippines and Peppermint is grown here commercially. I will certainly try your recipe. Thanks for sharing.
You're welcome 🙂
Can I make it with mint tea bags?
I doubt it. It probably won't be nearly as distinct a flavor as mint extract.
@Chava, Sure you can. Just don't expect the same flavors as from fresh mint. This is a good way to make other extracts when you don't have fresh ingredients available.
I tried this and the result doesn't smell like the mint extract from the store. It doesn't really smell minty to me. Is it possible the mint was marinated too long?
No, marinating too long shouldn't be a problem. While it doesn't smell minty, it tastes minty when you bake with it. If I had to bet, I'd say something was added to the store bought stuff to make it smell minty.
Why did my turn brown?
I'm not sure, but its a normal part of the process. If I had to wager a guess I'd say it's because once the chlorophyll stops being activate in the leaves and brown is their real color. My read made extract is a greenish-brown. Still, it tastes just right and made great mint chocolate crinkle cookies.
@ElissaBeth, thank you for this information. My mint extract is brownish-green. It tastes minty, but doesn’t smell minty. I was thinking that the leaves were spoiled and I should toss it. I’m glad it’s okay. Making mint chocolate chip ice cream later! Thanks for the recipe!
Happy to help 🙂