Learning to make your own extracts is one of the easiest things you can do in the kitchen. Not only can it save you money, but making homemade mint extract or other extracts gives you more control over the flavor and ingredients.

We have a bit of a mint invasion at our home that we inherited from the last owners of our home. Learning how to make homemade mint extract is one way to make the most of the problem and use some of the mint we’re constantly pulling from the garden. Below we’ll walk you through the very easy steps for making your own mint extract.

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Contents

What is Mint Extract?

Mint extract is a concentrated flavoring derived from the essence of various mint plants, such as spearmint or peppermint. Mint extract delivers a distinct flavor profile to a wide range of dishes and beverages like chocolate mint brownies and mint chocolate chip ice cream to savory dishes like lamb with mint sauce or mint-infused cocktails, this extract adds a refreshing and herbal element to recipes.

Additionally, mint extract is commonly used for its aromatic properties in homemade personal care products like soaps, lotions, and candles.

Benefits of Making Mint Extract at Home

The biggest benefit from making mint extract at home is the it is easy! If you already have mint on your property (like we do in abundance) all you need is some vodka and a few minutes to make your own delicious mint extract. Making your own extract at home gives you completel control over what you are doing and you know exactly what goes into your extract and how strong you like it.

Ingredients and Equipment

You only need a few supplies and ingredients to make your own mint extract:

Vodka – choose a neutral vodka (you can see how to make mint extract without Vodka)
Mint – you can generally use any kind of mint to make extract. We prefer using mint early in the season before the plant flowers as the leaves can be a bit bitter in some varieties after it flowers.
Jar – Extract Jars (find 4 oz bottles online)
Funnel – use a funnel that fits into the end of the jar to pour in the liquid
Knife and cutting Board or mortal and pestle

Step-by-Step Guide How to Make Mint Extract

Step 1: Prepare the Leaves: Rinse the mint leaves under cold water to remove any dirt or impurities. Pat them dry gently with a clean towel or paper towels. Use a mortar and pestle or simply crush the leaves with your hands to bruise them slightly. This helps release the oils and flavor compounds from the leaves. You can also cut the leaves up.

Step 2: Combine Mint and Alcohol: Place the bruised mint leaves in a clean, sterilized glass jar or bottle. Pour the alcohol over the leaves, making sure they are fully submerged. Use a ratio of about 1 cup of mint leaves to 1 cup of alcohol, adjusting as needed based on the size of your container. I used a 4 oz jar and filled most of the bottle up with mint leaves before pouring in the vodka.

Step 3: Seal and Store: Seal the jar or bottle tightly with a lid. Store it in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight, such as a pantry or cupboard. Let the mint leaves steep in the alcohol for at least 1 to 2 weeks to allow the flavor to develop. You can taste the extract periodically and adjust the steeping time based on your desired strength of mint flavor.

Step 4: Strain: After the desired infusion period, strain the mint leaves from the alcohol using a fine mesh sieve, cheesecloth, or coffee filter. Press down on the leaves to extract as much liquid as possible. Transfer the strained mint extract into clean, sterilized bottles or jars with tight-fitting lids. Label the containers with the date and contents. Store the mint extract in a cool, dark place. It will keep for several months to a year, depending on the quality of the alcohol used.

Homemade Mint Extract (and other extracts)

Tips and Troubleshooting

Weak Flavor: If your mint extract doesn’t have a strong enough mint flavor, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can take:

Increase Steeping Time: Allow the mint leaves to steep in the alcohol for a longer period, up to several weeks. This will give the mint more time to infuse its flavor into the alcohol.
Add More Mint Leaves: If you initially used too few mint leaves, you can try adding more leaves to the alcohol and allowing them to steep for an additional period to intensify the flavor.
Crush Leaves More: Ensure that you bruise or crush the mint leaves well before adding them to the alcohol. This releases more of the essential oils and flavor compounds from the leaves, enhancing the flavor of the extract.

Off-Flavors or Bitterness: Sometimes, mint extract can develop off-flavors or bitterness, especially if the leaves are oversteeped or if the wrong type of alcohol is used. Here’s how to troubleshoot:

Check Steeping Time: Taste the extract periodically during the steeping process to monitor the flavor development. If the mint flavor becomes too intense or bitter, strain the extract immediately to prevent further bitterness from developing.
Use High-Quality Alcohol: Ensure that you use high-proof, neutral-flavored alcohol such as vodka. Using lower-quality alcohol or alcohol with strong flavors can result in off-flavors in the extract. If you suspect the alcohol is the issue, you may need to start over with a different type of alcohol.
Adjust Ratios: If the alcohol-to-mint ratio is off, it can affect the final flavor of the extract. Experiment with adjusting the ratio of mint leaves to alcohol to find the balance that produces the desired flavor without bitterness.

Homemade Mint Extract Recipe

Homemade Mint Extract

Make your own mint extract

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Equipment

Extract Jar (4 oz)
Funnel
Knife and board or mortal and pestle

Ingredients

4 oz Vodka
Mint Leaves

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Leaves: Rinse the mint leaves under cold water to remove any dirt or impurities. Pat them dry gently with a clean towel or paper towels. Use a mortar and pestle or simply crush the leaves with your hands to bruise them slightly. This helps release the oils and flavor compounds from the leaves. You can also cut the leaves up.
Step 2: Combine Mint and Alcohol: Place the bruised mint leaves in a clean, sterilized glass jar or bottle. Pour the alcohol over the leaves, making sure they are fully submerged. Use a ratio of about 1 cup of mint leaves to 1 cup of alcohol, adjusting as needed based on the size of your container. I used a 4 oz jar and filled most of the bottle up with mint leaves before pouring in the vodka.
Step 3: Seal and Store: Seal the jar or bottle tightly with a lid. Store it in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight, such as a pantry or cupboard. Let the mint leaves steep in the alcohol for at least 1 to 2 weeks to allow the flavor to develop. You can taste the extract periodically and adjust the steeping time based on your desired strength of mint flavor.
Step 4: Strain: After the desired infusion period, strain the mint leaves from the alcohol using a fine mesh sieve, cheesecloth, or coffee filter. Press down on the leaves to extract as much liquid as possible. Transfer the strained mint extract into clean, sterilized bottles or jars with tight-fitting lids. Label the containers with the date and contents. Store the mint extract in a cool, dark place. It will keep for several months to a year, depending on the quality of the alcohol used.

How to Make Homemade Mint Extract