DIY: Mint Extract

Every year, for many years, I’ve grown spearmint — and often, other types of mint — in my garden.

Mint is a perennial, and it’s incredibly prolific. It’s best grown in a pot, or you might find it spread all over your yard! I grow mine in barrels along the outside of my garden. We harvest a bit every few days, sprigs at a time, to make fresh mint tea. There’s nothing like it. Beautiful, fresh sweetness with a touch of raw honey (learn more about the benefits of raw honey).

Sadly, mint days do not last forever. It grows from roughly late March through early November (or until a hard freeze), which means we have 5 mint-less months each year. We like to preserve that goodness for the cold months and enjoy it all year round.

I greatly prefer spearmint’s softer, sweeter flavor, but you can use peppermint if you want. Chocolate mint, pineapple mint, and apple mint would be fun and unique too!

DIY Mint Extract

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups of fresh or dried mint leaves

2 cups of vodka (or your preferred 80-proof alcohol)

Directions:

Step 1: Add mint leaves to a mason jar.

Step 2: Pour over the alcohol to completely cover.

Step 3: Shake well.

Step 4: Set aside to steep for 6 – 8 weeks. The longer it steeps, the more flavorful it will be.

Step 5: Strain the mint leaves out and bottle your extract.

Your mint extract is ready to use! Add to homemade baked goods, ice cream, or tea.

Here’s a video on how to make it: