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Homemade Mint Extract

Melissa Norris
Learn how to make mint extract for all your baking needs. Making homemade extracts couldn't be easier; it saves money and assures you're getting a high-quality product without questionable ingredients.
5 from 2 votes
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Steeping Time 42 days
Total Time 42 days 10 minutes
Course Ingredient
Cuisine American
Servings 32 servings
Calories 36 kcal

Equipment

  • Mason jar
  • Colander
  • Storage Bottles

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup fresh mint leaves
  • 2 cups rum or vodka

Instructions
 

  • Pick your mint leaves in the morning when they have the highest concentration of oils in leaves. Rinse and pat dry.
  • Discard any burnt or damaged-looking leaves. Strip the leaves from the stem. Roll the leaves up between your fingers so they’re good and bruised (or you can roughly chop them).
  • Put the mint leaves inside your glass jar. You’re looking for about a 1:2 ratio of mint to alcohol. So for one cup of mint, I’ll add about two cups of rum, vodka or my non-alcoholic option (see notes below).
  • Add alcohol to completely submerge the mint leaves. Place lid on jar and give it a good shake.
  • Place the jar in a cupboard or on a shelf out of direct light, but somewhere you’ll remember to shake it every few days.
  • Let the mint leaves steep for at least six weeks. You can allow it to steep longer for a stronger flavored extract.
  • When the mint extract has reached its desired strength, strain out the mint leaves with a fine mesh colander or sieve and pour the remaining extract into a glass container.

Notes

  • Different Mint Options - You can use peppermint, chocolate mint, or spearmint leaves. Each imparts a slightly different flavor but all are delicious.
  • Using Dried Leaves - To make a mint extract with dried leaves, use 1/2 the amount of fresh. So for this recipe, use 1/2 cup dried mint leaves. The dried leaves will swell and rehydrate with the alcohol, so make sure you have plenty of room in the jar. Check the jar after 24 hours and add additional alcohol if the leaves are above the liquid level.
  • For Apple Cider Vinegar - Combine 1 cup apple cider vinegar with 1 cup water. Use 1 cup fresh mint leaves or 1/2 cup dried. Add one to two tablespoons of honey and follow the instructions in the recipe card below.
  • For Glycerin - Combine three parts glycerin to one part distilled water in place of the alcohol (so if you need two cups of alcohol, use 1 1/3 cup glycerin and 2/3 cup distilled water). Continue with the recipe in the recipe card as follows. Make sure you use food-grade glycerin like that one.
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Nutrition

Serving: 1TablespoonCalories: 36kcalCarbohydrates: 0.2gProtein: 0.1gFat: 0.01gSaturated Fat: 0.003gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.01gSodium: 1mgPotassium: 8mgFiber: 0.1gVitamin A: 60IUVitamin C: 0.4mgCalcium: 3mgIron: 0.1mg
Keyword homemade mint extract, Mint Extract
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