Homemade Mint Extract
Posted by Heather on April 26, 2012
I have this garden full of mint. I got a small plant one year from a “friend” and now, I can’t seem to control it. Had I known then what I know now about the invasive-ness of mint…I would go back, and plant it in a large pot, not just allow them to stick in the ground where it “would be pretty”.
Anyway, I digress. I decided that I am going to stop complaining about this mint, and go to work using it. I’ve made tea until I can’t drink anymore, and I already have mint jelly nightmares. So, I decided to try some homemade mint extract. Just like the vanilla extract but with mint leaves instead.
I harvested some of this annoying pretty mint, washed it, and pull of the dead leaves.
Slightly chopped to “bruise” leaves to release oils.
Stuffed into a jar, and covered with vodka. (yeah, I always have vodka on hand…really, it’s for extracts and tinctures…honest!)
And, a couple of weeks later, mint extract! Strain the leaves and decant into a smaller bottle and work like a mad woman to find recipes to use this in, besides homemade peppermint patties…
Jean said,
Have you ever tried peppermint ice cream? Very refreshing!
I have one of those Cuisinart counter-top ice cream makers and that is my absolute favorite recipe.
I don’t have peppermint in my garden – I have spearmint instead.
But I’m going to try this for spearmint extract.
Heather said,
oooooh!!! peppermint ice cream!! now, why didn’t I think of that??? thanks!!!
dawn said,
mmmmm….mint! i need to get some from you next week. I found a bottle of that light olive oil that i didn’t realize i still had, it was stuffed way back in the cabinet. I didn’t know you can do mint extract like the vanilla, thanks for sharing that! I will definitely try it. Do you have any idea how long it keeps or if there are medicinal uses for it. I mean real, honest to goodness medicinal uses, not just the-kids-are-driving-me-crazy-i-need-a-dose medicinal (;
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