Homemade Mint Extract Recipe
Preserve the flavor of fresh mint with this simple homemade mint extract recipe. Using only two ingredients, high proof alcohol and fresh mint, you can create a pure and natural extract that captures the essence of mint. Perfect for adding a hint of mint to your favorite desserts, beverages, and recipes.
Ingredients
- 3 cups mint leaves packed, divided
- 1 - 2 cups high proof grain alcohol Everclear
Instructions
Prepare Mint:
- Rinse mint stems under cool running water, then transfer to a salad spinner and spin dry. Remove mint from the salad spinner and place on a clean kitchen towel to dry while you prepare your jars.
- Wash your infusion jars, lids, and weights (if using) in hot soapy water, rinse well and dry.
Muddle And Fill Jars:
- Pick all the leaves from the stems, then crinkle or smash 1 packed cup of mint leaves before adding them to your prepared jar.
- Pour Everclear or other high proof grain alcohol over the mint leaves, ensuring they are covered. I like to toss a Pickle Pebble over my leaves to make sure they stay covered.
- Cover the jar with the lid and set somewhere that you’ll see at least daily and give it a swirl a couple of times a day for the next 2 days.
Strain And Replace:
- After 2 days, strain the mint leaves out of the alcohol using a cheesecloth or fine mesh sieve. Refill the jar with fresh mint leaves, add your weight, and add back the alcohol.
- Cover the jar with the lid, give it a swirl a couple of times a day for the next 2-3 days before repeating the strain and replace process at least once more.
Strain And Store:
- After 2 days, strain the mint leaves out of the alcohol using a cheesecloth or fine mesh sieve.
- Meanwhile, wash your airtight storage container and lid. Dry well.
- Transfer mint extract to cleaned storage container and store.
Notes
Expert Tips
- This process extracts the menthol from the mint, but it also extracts the green! Be careful when working with your extract because it could stain clothes, tools, or countertops.
- Use a jar thats only as big as you need it. A larger jar with space to shake and jostle your ingredients has air space which can increase the oxidization of your mint leaves, which can contribute to off-tastes and colors.
- This process sees you infusing the alcohol with mint leaves for 2-3 days, then straining and replacing the mint leaves before repeating the process at least twice, 3-4 times is better. I find this to be the best solution to keeping the extract bright green and smelling minty. After more than 4-5 days, the mint leaves start to turn brown and your extract will too.
- I’ve included some harvesting guidelines, so if you’re growing your own mint you can maximize the quality!
- If you love making extracts, I have recipes for homemade vanilla extract and cinnamon extract!
