I’m a total baking addict. Confession: today I made two pies, not because I had anything special going on, but just because I really wanted pie. When you bake a lot, you go through a lot of extracts. Hence the need for this how to make mint extract tutorial.
Yes, vanilla extract is great, especially in a morning cup of my superfood vanilla latte, but sometimes you need a different flavor. This mint extract goes great with some homemade mint chocolate chip ice cream covered in raw hot fudge sauce. You could even use it to put some pep in savory recipes.
And with the holidays coming up, now is the perfect time to stock up on your homemade extracts for the baking season. Mint extract also makes a great gift to give to friends and family at Christmas.
Fresh or Dried Mint
I use fresh mint in mine since it’s plentiful in the garden this time of year. You’ll want to make sure you really pack it into the glass jar before adding the alcohol. You could also use dried if that’s what you have on hand. In that case, only fill the jar 1/2 full of the dried herb.
Basically, we’re making an herbal tincture. I use a neutral-tasting alcohol, like vodka, to extract the herb’s flavor. You could also experiment and try different types of alcohol for an enhanced flavor.
How to Use Mint Extract
- Chocolate Mousse, dairy-free (skip the raspberries and add 1 tsp mint extract)
- Healthy Chocolate Bars
- Superfood Vanilla Latte (use mint instead of vanilla extract)
- Raw Hot Fudge Sauce (add 1 tsp mint extract and omit vanilla)
- Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream, (dairy-free)
- Raw Chocolate Chips (add 1/2 tsp mint extract and omit vanilla)
How to Make Mint Extract
Ingredients
- Fresh or dried mint leaves - get it here
- Vodka, 80 proof
- Glass mason jar and lid
- Small glass bottles for extract - I like these
Instructions
- Fill your glass jar half full of fresh mint leaves. Only fill the jar 1/3 full if using dried mint.
- Pour the vodka over the herbs until they're completely covered and the jar is full. Screw the lid on tightly and give it a good shake.
- Store your extract in a cool dark place and shake every day or so while it steeps.
- After 2-4 weeks your extract will smell strongly of mint and be ready. With a fine mesh strainer, strain the mint leaves and compost.
- Store the extract in a glass bottle
Hi Jamie,
I love mint flavor and the smell of mint. I grow my own peppermint and cut for when it blooming and put it in vases which makes a beautiful boutique and great aroma through the house. Thanks for sharing all the healthy and delicious recipes and the mint extract recipe. I will save it and maybe next year I might try it when my mint is in bloom. Thanks for sharing on Real Food Fridays. Pinned
Your mint certainly looks better than mine does. I have made lemon and orange extracts with vegetable glycerol.
Sarah, have you shared your extracts made with vegetable glycerol recipe online? I’d love to see them.
Hi Jamie,
Just a note to let you know that I have chosen your post as one of my features for this weeks Real Food Fridays that goes live every Thursday @7pm EST. Thank you for being part of Real Food Friday mission – to make this world a little bit healthy every week. Wishing you and your family a healthy, happy & blessed New Year’s!
I love mint and I love this idea! I’m definitely going to do this with some of the mint that I have growing in my house.
We have so much mint, but I never think about making extract. This is a great idea!
Cool! I’ve never made my own extract. I have peppermint growing and when it gets a little big I will have to give this a try. Thanks for sharing! Pinned!
So that’s how it’s done! No wonder I have such a difficult time finding non-alcohol herbal extracts. Thank you for the recipe. I’ll pin it so I can try it one of these days when I have a surfeit of mint on hand.
This recipe sounds great to have on hand! There are so many good uses 🙂 Thanks for sharing on the Healthy Living Link Party! We hope to see you back tonight!
This is a great idea. Pinning to y Garden board. Thanks so much for sharing with the Let’s Get Real party.
This is a great idea. Pinning to y Garden board. Thanks so much for sharing with the Let’s Get Real party. Also, this will be my featured post at this week’s party.
Thanks for the feature!
This is such a great idea! I’ve never made my own before. Thanks so much for sharing them with us at Savoring Saturdays last week. Have a great weekend.
Popping back in to let you know this is my pick for recipe of the day today. Sharing on my YayYay’s Kitchen Facebook page, Twitter and the like. Thanks so much for a wonderful recipe. Now I know what to do with all that leftover mint when i buy a bundle and only need a tablespoon chopped.
You can’t miss with mint! I can’t wait to make this! I am so delighted that you shared your healthy and delicious mint extract recipe at the Healthy Happy Green Natural Party! I’m Pinning and sharing this!
I’m growing mint in my garden this year, I’ll have to try this. Thanks for sharing on the Homestead Blog Hop! I pinned!
Oh my goodness, why have I never thought of making this before?!? Thank you so much for sharing, I can’t wait to make it!
I made this but it did not come out right. The mint leaves turned dark and wilted, and the liquid only had a subtle mint flavor and smell to it. I left it in a cool, dark closet that I hardly ever open, so I know the problem couldn’t have been exposure to light or heat, but I don’t know what else I could’ve done wrong. This was my first time making mint extract so any advice is appreciated. Also, is this liquid I ended up with still edible??
I’m sorry, that always stinks when a project doesn’t turn out so great 🙁 The leaves will turn dark and change texture, the picture shown here is right after I’ve made it, so they look fresh and bright there, but they don’t stay that way. Did you use fresh or dried mint, and was it packed tightly into the jar? It may be that you didn’t use enough mint. And did you shake the mixture every day or so? The liquid will be edible as long as there’s no visible mold or spoiled smell to it (which wouldn’t be likely). I have found that homemade mint isn’t as strong as the store bought kind anyway though.
I really need to try this! Pinning 🙂
I love all things mint but have yet to try making an extract. That will change soon. Thank you!