How to Make Mint Extract With Just 2 Ingredients

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If you use mint in recipes and enjoy baking, you should be making your own mint extract! Homemade mint extract is very simple and inexpensive to make. With just a few ingredients and tools, you’ll have all the mint extract you need for all of your baking and beverage ideas!

What is Mint Extract?

Mint extract is made by soaking mint leaves in a high proof alcohol like vodka or everclear. When the leaves sit in the alcohol, the alcohol extracts the oils from the leaves. This process of transferring the flavor into the alcohol allows for a potent mint flavor in just a teaspoon or two of liquid. 

Dried vs Fresh Mint 

Mint extract can be made from both dried and fresh mint leaves. Dried mint leaves tend to be more widely available due to it being easier to transport. Fresh mint leaves tend to have a more potent flavor due to their fresh oils. However, the fresh leaves also contain water.  

This recipe calls for dried mint leaves but you can choose to use fresh. If you decide to use fresh, let your mint leaves wilt a little. When leaves wilt it means there is less water in the plant material. This will ensure the alcohol is not watered down and the preserving qualities of the alcohol will remain at the highest level. 

The Alcohol for Extracts

Unlike vanilla where you can get away with using a dark liquor like brandy, rum or bourbon, mint extract is best made with a clear & relatively flavorless alcohol like vodka or everclear. 

Using a flavorless alcohol will allow for the mint flavor to be the most prominent and clean. In my opinion, everclear produces the best flavor. If you do not have everclear available, the highest proof Vodka you can get will work well. 

Looking for more extract recipes? You might also enjoy making Vanilla Extract and Lemon Extract.

How To Use Mint Extract

You can use mint extract as any other baking extracts. You will primarily see it in items like cookies and cakes to flavor the baked good with mint. However, mint extract can also be used to flavor beverages or in marinades. 

Outside of cooking or baking, mint extract can also be added to your arsenal of  homemade cleaning tools. A few drops of mint extract can be included in a variety of applications within your cleaning kit including an all purpose spray, toilet bowl cleaner or air freshener spray.

The Shelf Life of Mint Extract

As long as you use a high proof alcohol and store it in an airtight container away from heat and light, extracts have an almost indefinite shelf life. However, you may notice that the flavor will lessen as the years pass.

Tools and Ingredients

3 TBSP Dried Mint leaves, crushed

2-3 oz Everclear or High Proof Vodka

An airtight glass jar

A strainer 

Small funnel

Directions

Add all of the mint and the high proof alcohol to the airtight glass jar. 

Secure the lid to the jar and label with the contents and the date you started in extract.

Shake the jar of alcohol and mint. 

Place your jar in a cool dry place out of direct sunlight. 

For the first two weeks, be sure to shake the jar well every other day.

After 4-6 months, strain all mint leaves from the alcohol and transfer into a clean jar for storage. For best results, use an amber bottle. 

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Mint Extract FAQ:

Does Mint Extract Go Bad?

As long as you use a high proof alcohol and store it in an airtight container away from heat and light, extracts have an almost indefinite shelf life. However, you may notice that the flavor will lessen as the years pass. 

Should I Use Dried or Fresh Mint to Make Extract?

Mint extract can be made from both dried and fresh mint leaves. Dried mint leaves tend to be more widely available due to it being easier to transport. Fresh mint leaves tend to have a more potent flavor due to their fresh oils. However, the fresh leaves also contain water.  

How Do I Use Fresh Mint to Make Extract?

This recipe calls for dried mint leaves but you can choose to use fresh. If you decide to use fresh, let your mint leaves wilt a little. When leaves wilt it means there is less water in the plant material. This will ensure the alcohol is not watered down and the preserving qualities of the alcohol will remain at the highest level. 

What alcohol to use to make extracts? 

Unlike vanilla where you can get away with using a dark liquor like brandy, rum or bourbon, mint extracts are best made with a clear & relatively flavorless alcohol like vodka or everclear. 

Using a flavorless alcohol will allow for the mint flavor to be the most prominent and clean. In my opinion, everclear produces the best flavor. if you do not have everclear available, the highest proof Vodka you can get will work well. 

Did you try this? Share your creations in the comments or by tagging @MissysHomestead on Instagram.