DIY Mint Extract Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 c firmly packed fresh mint leaves (Peppermint, Spearmint, Chocolate Mint, etc.)
- vodka
You Will Also Need:
- pickle packer wood dowel
- a pint jar with lid
- cheesecloth or muslin
- storage bottles
Instructions
- To make your mint extract, harvest a good bit of the fresh mint. Wash the plants with cold water to remove any dirt.
- Remove the leaves, discarding any dry or yellowed leaves and the stems, keeping the fresh green leaves. You will need a packed-full cup of leaves. Pack it down like you would brown sugar.
- Place the cup of mint into a pint jar.
- Use a “pickle packer”, or dowel, to mash the leaves. This releases the oils and helps make them more readily available to steep in the liquid. This is also called bruising or muddling the leaves. If you don't have the tool, simply crush the leaves in your hands a bit before adding them to the pint jar.
- Pour in 1 1/2 – 2 cups of vodka. Enough to fill the jar.
- Close the jar and give it a shake. Label the jar with the contents and date you started the extract. Place it in a cool, dark cabinet.
- Now you wait.
- Each day give the jar a shake – it’s okay if you forget now and again. But to help you remember, place it in a cabinet you go into all the time…like where the coffee cups are, if you’re me.
- Wait 1-2 months. The longer you let it go, the more flavorful the extract will be.
- After you have waited for what seems like forever, strain the contents of the jar through some cheesecloth or muslin. Discard the old leaves and keep the liquid.
- Pour the mint extract into jars, preferably ones with amber glass to block light and preserve flavor.
- Your homemade mint extract is ready for your recipes!
Video
Notes
Homemade mint extract makes a great gift from the kitchen!
See This Recipe:
https://cosmopolitancornbread.com/diy-mint-extract/