How to Make Peppermint Extract
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Have peppermint growing in your garden? Go pick some, and use it to make your own peppermint extract. It makes a great gift during the holidays. Here’s what you do:
Peppermint Extract Recipe
Prep Time:
5 minutes
What You’ll Need:
Vodka (go with the cheapest bottle you can find)
A handful of fresh peppermint leaves
A pint canning jar
Brown glass bottles
What You Do:
Crumble the peppermint leaves up in your hand to bruise them. This will help to release the oils. Then, place them in the jar.
Pour a cup of vodka over the mint. Make sure the mint is fully submerged. Then, screw the lid on the jar, and store it in a cool, dark place for at least two months.
When your peppermint extract is ready, strain out the mint leaves, and pour the finished extract into brown glass bottles. This will protect it from sunlight.
Your extract will be a greenish-brown color when it’s ready for use. That’s perfectly normal.
Free Printable Peppermint Extract Labels
Here are some free, printable labels, that you can use to share your peppermint extract with friends and family.
These labels are designed to fit full-sheet label paper. Use Avery 8165, if you have an inkjet, or Avery 5265, if you have a laser printer.
I like to print my labels on vinyl. This makes them waterproof and dishwasher-safe, so it’s easy for me to reuse the bottles over and over. If you decide to do the same, be sure to buy vinyl that’s compatible with your type of printer – whether that’s an ink jet or a laser printer.
Many web browsers have their own built-in PDF viewers, but they tend to be buggy. If you’re having trouble printing or editing one of our printables, click here for help.
Tips:
- Want to make peppermint extract without the alcohol? Just substitute the vodka with three parts food-grade liquid glycerin and one part water
- Peppermint extract can also be made from hard peppermint candies. Just drop a handful in the vodka, and proceed with the directions
- Make an extra batch to keep on hand for the next time you need a gift
- Save the bottles from your store-bought extracts, and refill them with your own extracts
- Whip up your own lemon extract, vanilla extract and orange extract, so you’ll have lots of flavoring options when you bake
Peppermint Extract
Follow these simple steps to make peppermint extract from fresh mint. Makes a wonderful gift.
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 cup 1x
Ingredients
- A handful of fresh peppermint leaves
- 1 cup vodka
Instructions
Bruise the peppermint leaves by crumbling them up in your hand. Then, place them in a jar.
Pour vodka over the mint. Be sure the leaves are completely submerged.
Screw the lid on the jar, and store it in a cool, dark place for a month (or longer).
When your peppermint extract is ready, strain out the mint leaves, and pour the finished extract into brown bottles. This will protect it from the sunlight.
Notes
- To make non-alcoholic extract, replace the vodka with three parts food-grade liquid glycerin and one part water.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Ingredient
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Global
Keywords: vanilla extract recipe, how to make vanilla extract, how to make non-alcoholic vanilla extract
Want to learn how to make other types of extracts? This video shows you how to make vanilla, lemon and orange. It also shows you how to make non-alcoholic extracts.
I have a question about the peppermint extract. I tried making it two years ago and it turned an ugly brown. Is that normal or did I do something wrong? I ended up throwing the entire batch out. P.S. I find that peppermint extract works better than the shower discs in stores for easing nasal congestion. I just sprinkle a few drops in the bottom of my shower. The vapors and steam do the job nicely.
Nope you didn’t do anything wrong. It turns out brown.
These extracts look great. I hope to make them soon. How long will they last after making? Thanks.
Years and years. The vodka acts as a preservative.
Thanks, Erin, this is great timing. My herbs are growing rather wild these days. Now, to remember where the liquor store is… LOL… and round up brown bottles.
I’ve made some, it’s only been a week, maybe two. Can I strain then add more leaves?
I don’t think it would hurt anything to add more peppermint. You might want to leave your first batch of leaves in there though, so you get all of the flavor out of them.
I am new to your site, but loving it so far! I live in TN also ( very southern, middle). ? I am interested in making my own extracts. I’ve never tried before! I am thinking about making them for myself and gifts. I noticed that you have free labels (so awesome btw), but was wondering what size bottle they fit on?? The link takes me to Amazon, but there are so many different sized bottles. Lol. I was think of maybe using 4 oz bottles. Thank you!! ?
Hi Kathy,
Glad you stumbled upon my site 🙂 I made those labels to fit 4 oz. bottles, but they’d probably also fit other sizes. Hope you have fun making your own extracts. They make a great gift.
Hi there,
Just curious if the peppermint leaves HAVE to be fresh? or can they be store bought?
★★★★★
Yep, you can use store-bought peppermint. Just be sure to buy leaves that don’t look bruised and wilted.
Will this stuff turn peppermint ice cream pink like it is supposed to?
I really do not like brown peppermint ice cream.
Please let me know.
Hi Heather, this peppermint extract won’t add any noticeable color to peppermint ice cream. If you want that pink color, you’d need to add a couple drops of food coloring.
I’m so excited about your website! Thank you for posting these recipes. So fun! I love the shower steamers and look forward to making some for myself. Now I can make peppermint extract from our peppermint!
Hi Erin, your blog is great! I have been looking for a good recipe for Rum Extract. Would it make sense to mix 3 parts food-grade vegetable glycerin with 1 part rum? If not, do you have a good recipe or do you know where I can find a good recipe? Thank you — Camille
Hi Camille,
I haven’t made rum extract before, unfortunately; but I might have to do some experimenting 🙂 I just did a bit of research, and it looks like some of the commercial versions are made with glycerin, so that part definitely makes sense. The three to one ratio you suggested seems like a good starting point. The one thing I’m not sure about is how strong the flavor would be.
Hi Erin,
I’ve seen some recipes using 1tsp of sugar mixed with the vodka and lemon/orange zest. Does it make a difference on the final outcome?
Exited to try your method.
It may add a little sweetness and round out the citrus flavor. I’m just speculating, though, since I’ve never tried it.
Hey! How long does it need to sit till i can use it? Can i use it right after ?
I usually give it a couple months before I start using it. The longer the better.
Thank You for the Extract Recipes. I just made some Peppermint Extract, from Peppermint Oil. and I have loads of Peppermint Plants, Now to find me some Oranges and Limon’s, still have a little Vodka Left. lol
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You’re very welcome. It may just be one of my favorite kitchen projects. It’s such a simple thing, but it yields fabulous results 🙂