No need to buy mint extract when it is so easy to make your own! Made with mint fresh from your garden (or the store) all real ingredients!
All you need is mint and vodka to make the best homemade mint extract!
You'll use it all year long, from holiday baking to mint chocolate chip ice cream in the summer!
Every fall, I gaze longingly at my herb bed, knowing that in a few short weeks it be tucked away, fast asleep for the winter.
Some herbs, like rosemary, stay fairly evergreen around here, but the others start to say goodbye as soon as we get our first frost.
I decided to make some DIY Mint Extract with my profusion of mint. I have made homemade vanilla extract before (as a matter of fact, it is the only vanilla extract that I use).
It couldn’t be simpler. One of the reasons that I love infusions so much is that time does most of the work.
Ingredients:
Mint leaves - use your own leaves from your garden or buy some from the store. You only need about ½ cup.
Vodka - no need to buy the most expensive brand here. Some people say to get a cheap vodka, but you are only using 1 cup of it. I say get a vodka that you can then use in Vodka cocktails.
Instructions:
Making your own mint extract is super easy! Time does most of the work. It does take about 30 days, so if you're making this as a Christmas gift (and it makes a lovely gift for bakers!) you need to start it ahead of time.
Place your mint leaves in a glass jar and muddle them a bit, either with a muddler or a wooden spoon. You just want to bruise them a bit, so they start releasing their oils.
Pour the vodka over the mint and push the leaves down to stay under the alcohol. Put a lid on the jar and store in a cool, dark place for 30 days, shaking occasionally. I stored mine on a shelf in my garage, but I've also stored it in the pantry.
When the 30 days are up, strain out the mint and pour into a bottle.
Technically this extract will stay good for years, but I usually try to make a new batch every year or so.
Do you believe how easy it is to make your own extract? No need to pay for those little store bought bottles.
Put this in cute bottles, with cute labels and it makes a great foodie holiday gift, especially for bakers.
Wondering what to do with your mint extract? I use it a lot at the holidays for mint cookies and other baked goods, it's lovely in hot chocolate and in the summer it gets used regularly in mint chocolate chip ice cream!
More mint recipes:
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Recipe
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Homemade Mint Extract
Ingredients
- ½ cup mint leaves
- 1 cup vodka
Instructions
- Place the mint leaves in a clean mason jar.
- Using a muddler or a wooden spoon, crush them gently to release some of the oils.
- Pour over the vodka and push the leaves down to keep them submerged.
- Store in a cool dark place for 30 days, shaking occasionally.
- Strain and store in a lidded bottle in the pantry.
Notes
Equipment
Nutrition
The was originally published in 2013 and has been updated for 2020.
Stacey Nicole Getchis says
Do you out this in your children's or grandchildrens hot chocolate. I'm not being a jerk! I'm seriously asking this question!
Pam Greer says
No, I do not! Just the adults 🙂
Lisa says
I have started growing peppermint and I have an abundance of it. I am going with homemade gifts for Christmas this year. With that said, if I start it now, July 4th, how often would I need to strain the leaves and add new ones between now and Christmas? Thank you
Pam Greer says
You only need to do the steeping once. Strain and bottle and you are done. No need to add new leaves.
Steve Griffin says
Whats best for making chocolate mint...rum or vodka...with original cocao chocolate
Pam Greer says
I would use vodka, unless you want the flavor of the rum.
ODonna says
Is it normal for it to be a light brown color? I've never made it before. I used vodka and fresh mint leaves. It hasn't been a month yet but I was worried about the color.
Pam Greer says
Sometimes mine does that too. It's just the mint aging.
jobyann Castillla says
If using medicinally. what is the average dosage amount ? thank you in advance !!!! 😊
Pam Greer says
I don't use it medicinally.
Tami says
Can you open the jar before it's done to taste your extract??
Pam Greer says
Of course! You might want to taste it occasionally until it gets to the strength you prefer.
monique says
Done:)
Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
I made your recipe for a gathering the other day and everyone kept asking for the recipe. It was totally a hit!
Nellie Tracy says
Such a great recipe for mint extract! Love using this!
Chris says
I need to make this. We have just under 295,123 mint plants in about 10 square feet in our front yard. It's pretty hard to grow, like kudzu. 😉
~~louise~~ says
I haven't been growing many herbs the last couple of years but I plan to next planting season.
Your lucky to be able to over winter your Rosemary. I tried doing that with mine a few years back and it just never came back. So upsetting.
The notion of using Rum in this extract is very intriguing Pam. I've used Vodka before but never Rum. what a GREAT idea. Now that I think of it, I may use Rum the next time I make Vanilla extract too!
Thanks for sharing, Pam...
Jeff @ Cheese-burger.net says
Hi Pam. Thank you for the DIY. The extract will come in handy for my Christmas Panna Cotta.
shabby girl says
You're so smart!!!
grace says
i can honestly say that it has never occurred to me to do this. ingenious!
Marjie says
I love mint and mint extract. Now all I need to do is plant some of those pesky mint plants and I'll be all set, right? It looks really pretty in the jar; rather a shame that you have to strain it out, really.
Barbara says
Vodka or rum? Would never have thought of that...was thinking watered down vinegar with a tad of sugar.
Will try this, Pam.
Joanne says
Mmm I'm sure this is lovely in some hot chocolate!