I get such a kick out of figuring out how to make commonly purchased items from scratch.
Whether it be homemade tortillas, refried beans, or breadcrumbs, I feel like I’ve won every time I can put one more thing on my “never-buy-again” list.
Homemade vanilla extract is super-duper easy to make, and there are tutorials all over the place. But did you know you can make other extracts too? This homemade stevia extract and today’s mint extract recipe are two of my favs!
I had a TON of mint this year (it appears as though it’s the only thing I can’t easily kill…) and it even survived our first snow storm. It’s tough stuff.
Mint Extract Recipe
- 1 cup fresh mint leaves (I used Peppermint, but feel free to play around with other varieties)
- 1 1/2 to 2 cups of vodka (any vodka will work– I get the cheap stuff)
- Time…
1. Harvest the mint, and give it a quick rinse. Pat dry.
2. Remove the leaves from the stems, and discard the stems.
3. Crush and smash the leaves in your hands–this will help to release some of the oils and give the process a jump start.
4. Place the leaves in a pint-sized glass jar, and fill the jar the rest of the way with vodka.
5. Give it a shake and set aside in a cool, dark place.
6. Allow the mixture to steep for one to two months. Take a peek every so often to see if it’s strong enough for you.
7. Strain the leaves, and bottle the finished extract in cute little jars.
Notes
- The amounts on this don’t have to be exact- feel to use more or less mint/vodka. The most important thing is that you completely cover the leaves with the alcohol, so they don’t mold.
- I usually use the cheapest vodka I can find for my extracts.
- Yes, I feel really weird dragging my two small children into the liquor store so I can buy a giant jug of vodka. I kinda want to scream, “It’s for homemade extracts! Really!” when I go to check out.
- Some folks make alcohol-free extracts using vegetable glycerin, although I have yet to try that. Here’s a link for making alcohol-free vanilla, I’m assuming you could follow this method for other varieties…
Homemade extracts make classy gifts (Christmas IS coming folks!)- but they take a month or two to make, which is why now is the perfect time to start in order to have them ready for the holidays.
Package a cutely labeled bottle of mint extract, along with some homemade vanilla extract (now is the perfect time to start it too!) and you’ll have the perfect little gift basket.
PrintDIY Mint Extract Recipe
- Category: Extract
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh mint leaves (I used Peppermint, but feel free to play around with other varieties)
- 1 1/2 to 2 cups of vodka (any vodka will work– I get the cheap stuff)
- Time…
Instructions
- Harvest the mint, and give it a quick rinse. Pat dry.
- Remove the leaves from the stems, and discard the stems.
- Crush and smash the leaves in your hands–this will help to release some of the oils and give the process a jump start.
- Place the leaves in a pint-sized glass jar, and fill the jar the rest of the way with vodka.
- Give it a shake and set aside in a cool, dark place.
- Allow the mixture to steep for one to two months. Take a peek every so often to see if it’s strong enough for you.
- Strain the leaves, and bottle the finished extract in cute little jars.
Thanks for all your tips and excellent ideas on so many things.
I just want to know how to use the mint extract and for what?
Please let me know.
Regards
I have the same question! Also, do you not need to simmer the alcohol out of it?
I use mine in baking purposes and chocolate syrup. I don’t simmer the alcohol out; with the amount that goes in any given recipe there’s really no need to.
Why do you remove the mint stems?
The alcohol will cook out if you are using it in baking/cooking. But most extracts are made with alcohol of some kind- it’s just the nature of the product.
Sounds like a starter for a kicking mixed drink.?
Does it smell like peppermint, or more like alcohol? I’m looking for a mint extract recipe i can use for soap/candle making, so i need the extract to smell strongly of mint.
I followed the instructions to the letter, but a month and a half later, all the leaves were brown and it smelled horrible. Vodka was up to the rim of the jar.
Did you use 100 proof? Also maybe the jar you made it in was not completely clean.
When I went to strain mine, the liquid was brown, but it did smell like peppermint. Should I actually be using it if it is brown?
I had the same thing happen…
mine was a little brown after a day with a strong smell
You don’t need that much time, a few days to a week is usually enough to extract the flavor, keeping the extract bright green.
If it does turn brown, that’s totally fine in terms of flavor, it just doesn’t look as pretty.
You could always double boil it to infuse then you can simmer that down to a thick Oily consistency and have concentrated oil
I would like to know if Rum could be used for this instead of Vodka??
I use Captain Morgan Rum 100 proof for all my tinctures. I don’t get along with vodka at all…..
I use ever clear and just simmer over a double boiler to make it a concentrated oil. I just reduce it 50-75 %.
I did this and it smells strong of alcohol but a pretty green. Can you mix it with coconut oil?
Cookies, Christmas baking, homemade hot chocolate, the sky’s the limit!
I will be making homemade toothpaste. The only ingredients are xylitol, baking soda and peppermint extract. i found a video for it on youtube.
Hey Amy Smith… Just remember XYLITOL is extremely toxic to pets.
Why would someone feed alcohol or toothpaste to their pet anyway
It wouldn’t be on purpose. Reminder for them to keep in safe spot. Pets have a way of getting into things they shouldn’t. (Kids also)
some people do brush their dogs teeth.
I think she’s just reporting the dangers to pets because if your pets are anything like my 2 golden retrievers…they literally are food scroungers and will eat anything!!! So I think it’s more of a “beware” of the dangers of xylitol.
I make homemade toothpaste as well and use only coconut oil, baking soda, stevia drops, and mint oil. I bet this extract would work in place of the oil, I can’t wait to mix up a batch!
Mint extract works really great for a tooth ache or abscess until you can get to the dentist. I was away when I got a very bad abscess and was told to put mint around the tooth or use a mint extract, I used the extract and it drew the abscess out and I didn’t have anymore pain in that tooth. I realize its an old remedy but it does work. I’ve told many people about it and they say the same.
A family recipe for homemade toothpaste
1 tbs of extra virgin coconut oil
1 tbs of baking soda
1 Capsule of vit E
20 drops of mint tea or esential
2 stevia bags to give some sweetness (optional)
Mix all these to make a paste and put in to a small container
Oregano oil will almost always clear up an abscess in just a couple of days
Here is a thought… Dry the mint. I have tons of it growing and I use dry mint to make mint tea all year long (4 tea bags & 1/4 cup mint per gallon). I harvest at least 4 times a year when the mint gets about 18″ tall more or less. Cut it about 4″ from the dirt, spread it out across my dinning room table (covered with an old sheet) at let it sit for about a week or so flipping evety couples days till completely dried. Pack it in my Ninja food chopper and pulse it a few times. The stems stay mainly whole but do pick out what does get cut but it doesn’t hurt if some smaller pieces stay in the mix. Put in gallon ziplocs and you are good to go. I generally do 4 or 5 bags to last the year till fresh mint comes in again. Also, sometimes I just strip the dried leaves off and my wife will take a big bunch of dried stems and put it in her bath… Yes!! A mint bath.. Finds it incredibly refreshing… Enjoy
How long does it keep for?? Does one store in the cupboard or the refrigerator?
I’ve been keeping my mint in the fridge. However,ive only had one opportunity to use it. Now its got this substance in the bottom the looks like mold. I’m not sure what to do, because I don’t know for sure that it is mold.
Paul, it is just like vanilla, it can be kept indefinitely but better used as quickly as possible. Just think of it like vodka, it should keep indefinitely too. The steep shouldn’t be a problem at all but please make sure your jars are completely clean first.
I dry the mint on my dining table too! I have a large mason jar to store the dried mint. I’ve never had any issues. I do use a lot…. I do not think it is necessary to refrigerate dried mint as any moisture will surely cause mold.
I dry herbs all the time. Just always make sure they are completely dried before placing them into a ziploc bag or container. I usually use small mason jars and just store in cabinet. Pinery herbs throughout most of the year as we grow our own indoor and outdoor when the weather permits.
Hi… I mixed my vodka and mint leaves… But after a week the leaves were brownish in color. Where did I go wrong?
I’m experiencing the same thing. Smells less ‘minty’, and more ‘swampy’
Same thing happening here. I’ve read all these comments and seen similar questions, but never an answer.
Same here, smells terrible too!
Same here! Not sure I should use it :/
I did that back in October and my leaves are still green and it looks really good. I haven’t opened yet so can’t comment about smell. The ones that turned brown probably didn’t cover the leaves all the way..used to much mint or the alcohol wasn’t a high enough percent…I used everclear… I used the same concept to make orange extract except I let the peels air dry a few days first…and it looks amazing also…I did keep the in the back of my pantry and shook them abt one every 3 weeks.
is everclear better to use? i have a bottle of that i use with my cookies. does it have to sit in a glass jar or can plastic be used?
My understanding is that if you dry the leaves first, the extract is less likely to turn brown. If you don’t dry the leaves, the extract will be brown but it shouldn’t affect the flavor. If you bottle it in a brown bottle after straining the leaves once you finish, it really won’t matter, anyway. Good luck!
I read somewhere to blanch the mint leaves prior to putting into alcohol. I may try it so as to maintain the green color.
For Mint Juleps on Kentucky Derby Day!
I will use it in ice cream. Chocolate chip mint ice cream. I’ve made this ice cream using a teaspoon of commercial mint extract. Homemade is more fun!
I want to make mint chocolate chip ice cream at home but I can’t find a good mint extract where I live.. What was the ratio of this extract to the whipping cream and condensed milk?
For anyone who has brown mint extract that tastes good, add a few drops of yellow and green food color to your extract to make it green again. It works like a charm. Remember, a little goes a long way. Also, it was suggested in another blog that while it might not smell quite right, it will work well in a recipe. I am going to give this a try before I toss my newly green mint extract.
I use mint extract to make my own mouthwash. Mix 1 cup of water and 1 tsp of bicarb soda and 2 tsp of mint extract. Shake before use.
Great recipe! How long will stay good if refrigerated?
I’m so glad I’m not the only one to drag kids to the liquor store. I recently bought 3 big jugs of vodka for making vanilla extract as well as tinctures. The looks that some of the other shoppers gave me made me want to put a sign on our cart: IT’S FOR MAKING MEDICINE AND VANILLA EXTRACT!!!
But we shouldn’t worry what other people think. It’s what God thinks that ultimately matters. I am constantly reminding myself and my school-aged son about that. 🙂
Yes– you are right! 🙂
I’m not sure what religion you are, but you do realize the Bible doesn’t actually so anything against alcohol right? It says not to get drunk, but it also says not to be a glutton. If we can still eat food, I think it’s ok to responsibility consume (or not) alcohol. Maybe read what Paul has to say about it 🙂
I think that they were just feeling self-conscious about buying SO MUCH of it – that, and bringing their kids into the liquor store. 🙂
Jesus turned the water to wine, so he was handing it out.
That was new wine. It was not fermented.
Lol who cares what they thing as long as they see bling and cas register says caching all is well!
Amen Amy!!!!
Hi I’m just curious what kind of vodka you use for vanilla extract? I’ve only ever made it with bourbon and now I’m curious about vanilla as it may be a cheaper alternative.
I’ve been using Absolute Vodka to make vanilla extract, been doing it for about five years now and it works great!
Thanks for the post!
I have found that if my tinctures are still not very strong when I strain them, I put more herbs and let them sit again. I haven’t had to do it with dried herbs, but I have with fresh herbs like fresh mint and catnip etc.
I, too, have the same question as alot here. Does something happen to the alcohol ? Or does this just become flavored vodka ? I would love to try this… but just don’t need flavored alcohol.
Or does the alcohol essentially cook out, if you are baking with it and then leaves the flavor?
Thanks !!
just like regular extracts — it is a tiny amt generally a tsp is all that is used and of course you can’t taste vodka 🙂
Add to ice water so refreshing!!
GREAT idea! Sounds great for a warm summer day!
I made mine with rum and have never been able to taste the rum. I’m not sure I would want to drink it straight, actually.
Most extracts, including the ones you buy at the store, are made using alcohol. The alcohol should mostly cook out if you are using it in baking, and leave the flavor.
Anyone ever made banana extract?
No, but sounds intriguing!
I realize this post is a older one, but yes I have made banana extract. I took a banana that had a good deal of spots on it, you want it to have more concentrated flavor that way, and also the peel. Minus the stem. If you started wondering if you should toss the banana in the freezer for banana bread, that’s when you want to use it for a extract. I blended the peel and banana together and put into a mason jar with vodka. Let sit for a few months in a dark, cool cupboard then strained several times until I was happy that nothing more could be strained out of it. What I got was the most potent and banana smelling extract ever! It is absolutely wonderful.
I bought organic banana flavor at Whole Foods.
My “mint extract” wasn’t minty at all. Smelled a bit herbal, tasted vaguely minty, but didn’t flavor my cookies.
Mint extract is not available where I live so I’d love to make this work.
If your mint plants aren’t “super minty”, that could be part of the problem. Mine are most fragrant when slightly dry in the summer sun (instead of right after a rain), so play around with that part. You can also double-infuse for more minty flavor. Make the recipe as stated, and then strain the mint leaves, and add a new batch of mint leaves and follow the instructions again. I hope that helps!
Wearing one of your college hoodies to the liquor store, forgetting you’re wearing it, and then asking for liquor for canning’s a fun time too. I get some strange looks on those trips when I tell them, no, really I want whiskey for apple butter.
Haha!!
Jill,
I thought you might like to know that there are a couple of non-GMO vodkas out there! 🙂 And I totally empathize with taking kids in the liquor store. LOL!!! Here are the links:
http://nongmojournal.com/2013/04/05/day-thirty-eight-more-non-gmo-alcohol/
and
http://nongmojournal.com/tag/skyy-vodka/
Good to know! Thanks for the great article! You doing vanilla as well?
Keep up the great work friend! 🙂
Cool! I didn’t know that! Yes, I love making vanilla too. 🙂
Yes… I was going to suggest that. Rather than using “cheapo” vodka for this, I buy organic vodka. Then I know, for sure, that I’m making the absolute BEST that I can. The liquor store workers can direct you to which brands are organic.
I went to the liquor store with my son the other day to get some vodka to make vanilla extract and some herbal tinctures and I felt the same way! I wish I could have put a sign on my back that said “I would never drink this, I use it to make medicine for my family”! But nobody else in the store looked like they really cared 🙂 I told my husband he gets to go next time and i’ll stay in the car with my son 🙂
This is a keeper Jill! I wish I had seen it before that big snowstorm, I had tons of mint left, and I just didn’t know what to do with it. The snow and frost got to it before I came up with any ideas. Now, I’ll know for next year.
Yeah, that snowstorm caught everyone off guard! (Love your website name, btw!)
Thanks, I thought it was fitting 🙂 And who would have thought those weather men would be right for once!
I’m absolutely going to try this! 🙂
Thanks for the tutorial, Jill! I’d love to try it. By the way, I nominated you for a Sunshine Award. You can see the nomination post here: http://caretacticsblog.com/2013/10/23/the-sunshine-award/
Not sure I saw your answer to why leaves turn brown after a week. Is that ok or is there a reason for that? Want to try this recipe.
Uhhh, sounds like I am the only lush here, but do you suppose you can use it like you would peppermint schnapps? Like in hot chocolate?
I don’t see why not! 🙂
You are not alone! Vanilla Vodka! Peppermint Vodka! Yum! I suppose I could bake with it too :O)
You can make it even more potent by pouring your batch into a new jar with more fresh peppermint for another 2 months. 😉
Yes– good tip! Thanks for sharing!
Hi, I would like to ask
If it will it expire? And how to store it?
Thank you
I’m wondering how long will it last too?!
Hello,
I’m planning on making this for mint chocolate chip ice cream.. Did you find an answer to this?
I find myself wondering why you remove the stems. Don’t they have mint flavor too? Just wondering! I absolutely love peppermint extract at Christmas time for candies. There is barely enough time for that! Thank you for the idea. Another easy one is cinnamon. Someone brought me a housewarming gift of cinnamon. Lovely, just lovely!
I suppose you could leave them in there too– I just had a lot of leaves and wanted plenty of room for them. 🙂 I need to try cinnamon!
Okay, I am not sure what I did wrong here, but my mint extract turned dark in color – and has an off smell to it.
I filled a two pint jars with leaves, smashed them a bit, then covered them completely with alcohol and put them in a cool dark cabinet for two weeks. I shook them every couple of days, but it is certainly not minty like it should be. Any ideas? Maybe my mint leaves weren’t quite strong enough, so can I add more to the mixture and let it re-process?
If it doesn’t smell right and looks funny you should toss it. Alling more leaves will not fix something that as gone bad…..
*adding, not alling…. Sorry for the typo!
I left mine for 2 months, had the same issue. Just brown vodka that smelled like rotten mint and tasted of vodka with a hint of mint to it. I’m calling this a BS so some upper class stay at home mom can have shit to blog about because she’s bored at home.
Then you are just showing ignorance and being insulting in one comment. If that’s your goal, good job and get lost.
Lot of people make these extracts and it actually saves money and it frugal- nothing “upperclass” shitposting about it.
1. Have you ever tried to use the Mint Leaves for another recipe after steeping and straining from the Mint Extract? Not sure what color or condition the Mint Leaves are after such a long steeping, or how much mint flavor they still retain. It made me think about adding the vodka-laden mint leaves to your No Cook Vanilla Ice Cream recipe or mix into Lemonade, or how about tossed into Toubbouleh? Maybe halfway thru the steeping timeframe could swap out for fresh mint tag-team style so the steeped mint hasn’t lost all of its flavor/luster. 2. Is hand-crushing the mint leaves the best, and would chopping them cause them to brown? 3. Do you ever use the Mint Stems for any recipe or always trash them?
Can d mint extract be added to fresh fruit juice and if so won’t it intoxicate cos of d vodka used?
Do you put a lid or otherwise cover the jar while it steeps?
Great inspirations here in your blog. And MY FAV…peppermint! I have growing about 5-6 varieties including: candycane, choc-mint, orange, lemon verbana and spiramint. I use them in baking and teas and will be making my own dried tea, but this is awesome! I found out that we should harvest “Right before flowering, cut the stems 1 inch from the ground. You can harvest one mint plant two or three times in one growing season.You can also just pick the leaves as you need them.” Good to know. They are growing splendidly this spring and I’m motivated…so, here I go!
Could lemon or orange extract be made with the peel from the fruit?
I remember someone talking about it online. Make sure to not have any pith/white on the peels.
Can a tincture be made from reishi mushrooms?
I was wondering the same about the lemon peel? Also, for coconut extract would you suggest the same process with unsweetened shredded coconut?
Thank you so much!
Here’s a recipe for coconut extract.
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/coconut-extract-recipe.html
I’ve been wondering if you can use dried herbs for extracts. I just dried a bunch of mint because I don’t have any vodka yet and didn’t want them to go bad.
here ya go! http://wellnessmama.com/8168/how-to-make-herbal-tinctures/
After making my vanilla extract last night, I told my husband I needed to go get some mint to make that. He told me there was all this mint growing in our yard. I was brought up in the city so I’m still familiarizing myself with country living and plants (I love it and would never go back to city life by the way). He took me out and showed me all this glorious mint that I plan to harvest tonight to make my batch of mint extract!!
Wahoo– congrats on your surprise mint patch!
Can I use this in lip balms and salves? Or is this strictly for eating?
How much vodka to one banana
2 Questions: Do you have to fill the jar to the top with vodka? I have pint jars but only want a half of that (I know, aside from getting smaller jars!)
Also saw another unanswered question earlier: does the infused vodka all become tincture or is there vodka remaining, and can you drink it?
Thanks!
I’ve tried making peppermint extract and the plants turn brown within a couple of weeks or more. Doesn’t your extract have a brownish tint to it?
I remember one time when I was like 12 or so, I wanted to make a tincture to go with all of my read and sales and all of my remedies I was making so when my mom when to the LCBO one day, I got her to get me some vodka and I went in with her to push the cart and bring the bag out( because she has a really bad back- she’s not allowed to lift over 10lbs). I guess I must have looked too excited or interested in the displays, because we weren’t even down the second aisle yet when the cranky as heck cashier came over and all but beat me out if the store with a broom. Needless to say I was not impressed about having to stand outside in February in Canada for 20 minutes while my mom looked around and then waited in line with the same cranky cashier. Lol! XD
*teas and Salves
Can I use a plastic jar in place of a glass jar
I made mint extract for the first time following the rules. While it has a light mint flavor and a strong vodka flavor after 4 months marinating, it also turned brown. Is it still safe to use or should I toss it and try again? Thanks for your help.
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What’s the right color for homemade mint when its done after 3-4 weeks.
I’m wondering this too! A finished product picture would be great. Mine is a muddled yellow/green colour, no longer pretty like the starting photo. I had to go pretty far down the rabbit hole but found a few finished photos that kind of look like mine. Seems bloggers just post the start because it’s prettier.
I was buying a big bottle of white rum in the store the other day for vanilla extract (I saw an awesome recommendation to use rum for a sweeter extract), and I couldn’t resist telling the cashier that it was for extract. Like, “No, I’m not going home to chug this rum.” I know it’s none of her business anyway, and she sees plenty of people who ARE about to chug it, but I just don’t like potentially coming across that way.
I’m hoping this is still open to comments. I am in the process of making some extracts, mint being one of them. I’ve started out with peppermint, I believe. It has been steeping in the vodka for a few week and I just opened it to get a sniff to see how it is coming along. It smells strange and not minty, more like tea. Is this normal or should I strain and add more fresh leaves? Thanks in advance for your advice.
could I use Rum and then use the Rum to make Mojitos all year round?
I just made some mint extract last week. The color has turned a greenish brown and smells a lil weird but the mint flavor is great already! I would expect it to turn off in color due to the alcohol which I think helps in the aging process per se.
Use the stems for your water for the day and next day.
I drag my kids into the alcohol section as well, at least I used to, then one of them announced to the checkout lady that “Mommy likes to drink alcohol a lot.” I just about died. I happened to have a glass of wine 2 days in a row and I’m an alcoholic.
I’m curious what your cute little gifting jars look like.
I have a small urban homestead called Elizebeth’s Original Urban Homestead in south central Canada and couldn’t be happier to come across this article. My mint is beyond ready for harvest and I will be using most of my mint to try my hand at teas, but am very interested in making mint extract. Thank you so kindly for sharing!
Hello, I told a friend who does a lot of gardening and making her own stuff in general. I made almond extract, lemon extract, vanilla extract and mint extract. I had planned to give these as christmas presents, but life happened and I never got around to it. The stuff sat for 3 years and I just recently opened them to check. The bottles were completely filled, fyi. I told my friend about this and she said all of the extracts should be fine, but the mint does have a tendency to develop bacteria. DO you know anything about this? Planning on redoing the mint extract but when I gift them, should I not put in a few mint leaves into the gift bottle?
I don’t suggest putting mint leaves into the product. If the mint was completely dried, it would be much safer, but it wouldn’t look as “cute” if that was the original purpose. It’s safer to strain the extract for longer shelflife.