How to Make Mint Extract
People use mint extract like it’s going out of style every year around the holidays. I personally love it best in my Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream recipe.
But did you know besides being used in cooking, it can also be used as a dietary supplement, as an herbal or alternative medicine to help treat all sorts of things like poison ivy or indigestion or bug bites, and even as a pest repellent?
And did you also know it’s really easy to make your own? Here’s the super simple recipe I use. After you’ve made it the possible uses are endless!
Ingredients
Fresh mint leaves
Vodka
Jars for storage {I like to use the Weck 5.4 ounce jars for gift giving}
Directions
Remove leaves from the stems of the mint plants. Wash well and then dry completely. Fill container with mint leaves. Smash the leaves down with a wooden spoon by pressing and twisting {you should end up with about half a jar full}. Repeat this process until about 3/4 of the jar is full of smashed mint leaves.
Pour the vodka over the top of the leaves, making sure all leaves are covered and submerged. Then seal the container up tight and place in a cool, dark place and soak for at least a month {more is best for stronger extract!}. Strain the liquid, discard the leaves and bottle your extract! See? Easy peasy!
Wendy Clark says
The ground around my back porch is covered in mint! All I knew to do with it was make mint jelly. Delicious, but you can only use so much mint jelly :). Thank you for the idea!
Deborah says
Mint is also good for bug bites. It does stop the itching.
Nancy D says
Oh wow…thank you! I didn’t know that!!
Laurie says
I’ve never made this but I will now thanks to your post! Excellent!
Jennifer says
Which kind of mint do you use? I presume spearmint, as I think that’s the most common variety for cooking?
Cherri Fagen says
We like to muddle a few leaves in a glass and add lemonade. It is so refreshing in the summer. First had it in Hawaii and decided it was a keeper.