Ulog 156: Making Mint Extract

For the last three years I have been trying to grow mint (whether spearmint or peppermint) in my herb gardens, and the first two years I was unsuccessful. People kept telling me that mint is so easy to grow; but I just didn't have the results they were telling me about.

Well something happened this past gardening season that had me rushing to find ways to preserve MINT!
My herb gardens were flourishing with this Lamiaceae herb and I had more than I needed for the present time.

So instead of dehydrating ALL of it for my tea and for light flavoring in my lacto-fermented sodas, I decided to make some mint extract.

This is a super easy process; you just some patience as the extract brews.

• Flavoring cookies
• Flavoring candies
• Flavoring cakes and other baked goods
• In dressings
• For tea
• In marinades
• In vinegar
• Add flavor to water

To make this simple extract, you need two ingredients and a glass jar.

Remove leaves from stems/branhces.
Tear the fresh mint leaves you've harvested and cleaned (I use white vinegar and water mixture and spray on leaves).
Place torn leaves in a glass jar.
Pour 80-proof Vodka over the leaves; making sure to cover them.
Push leaves under the alcohol.
Put lid on jar and store in a dark, cool cupboard for about six weeks.
Strain the leaves out and bottle in a dark colored glass jar or bottle.
Use a few eye-droppers full for drinks or more for bigger recipes.

I only made a half-pint jar of this extract as I'm not sure how quick I will use it up.

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