homemade peppermint extract
I tried making peppermint cookies a few years ago. They were very festive to look at- dark chocolate cookies with pieces of candy cane spread throughout; but they tasted TERRIBLE! The peppermint flavor was way off and I blame the peppermint extract I used. This year I am making my own and know the cookies will taste much better with homemade peppermint extract in them!
It is so EASY to make! All you need is a few sprigs of fresh peppermint and vodka.
Wash the peppermint, let it dry, bruise it up a little bit with your fingers and put it in a glass jar. The little jar I used is holding about 3/4 cups of vodka with 5 small sprigs of fresh peppermint. Make sure the vodka covers the peppermint. Store out of direct sunlight for 4-6 weeks. Mine has been sitting for 2 weeks now and has a mild peppermint taste already. When the peppermint flavor is at the strength you want, strain out the peppermint and you have the extract left behind to use for cooking. Store it in the cupboard for future use.
You can also do this with vanilla pods to make vanilla extract. Check out my friend Renee’s (FIMBY) wonderful post on how to do it (and then look around her FANTASTIC site for more inspiration if it’s your first visit)!
It’s easy to assume that if you have to buy everything from a shop when in fact you can make most things. It’s hard to find peppermint essence or extract here so this is a great tip. I already make my own vanilla and it’s brilliant and cost effective.
Of course…how wonderful!! I have just added peppermint to my garden (as opposed to my trusty common mint) and am looking for new ways to use it other than just tea! Thanks Lisa.
oh my. i made vanilla extract once, and never went back, talk about cost effective.
I really need to get with the program and start making my own vanilla… maybe some peppermint extract too. This post is a good reminder to pick up some vodka and get on with it already.
I do make my own vanilla extract with vodka and really…nothing beats it. I’ll definitely have to try the peppermint
I’d love to know how the flavor holds up in baked goods when this is finished.
My daughter made cherry cordial this summer by soaking cherries in vodka. (Don’t worry, she is a grown-up baker, or almost!) Then she made ice cream with the cherries after it was time to remove them. Cherry cordial ice cream is my new favorite flavor. There may be something wonderful you can do with your peppermint when it is time to remove it from the extract….This weekend we get to open the cordial and try it! Thanks for all the wonderful lessons and recipes. love, Beth
Beth, that sounds delicious!
this sounds yummy
What a great idea! This really would make the perfect holiday gift!
i think i´ll try this with vanilla. thanks for the tip lisa. have a wonderful holiday!
This might work with some of the wintermint that grows wild around here….
I’ll bet those cookies will taste delicious using this!
Wintermint would be great to make an extract from! Spearmint or any other mint would be good too.
Any ideas for dried peppermint (other than tea)? I harvested the remainder of our patch and hung it all over the house about a month ago. So this year it’s dried and jarred. I’ll have to save your extract “recipe” for next year!
You could use this recipe with dried peppermint I would think. Just cut the amount of mint in half. I haven’t tried it this way, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work.
wonderful recipe, thank you. alcohol sure does come in handy!
nicola
http://whichname.blogspot.com
Mmmmmm. Part of my garden gets over grown with peppermint if we aren’t careful. No worries. Isaac eats it right off the plant and thus does a good job of keeping it tame. *(read: bare) I’m making this for sure this summer. Thanks.
Debbie
This is a great idea…and I love the thought of homemade vanilla extract!….That good stuff is sooooo expensive!
I still have nearly two quarts of vanilla extract. lol I’ve been thinking about the mint for mouth wash, actually. Still need to look into it.
Mouthwash is a GREAT idea! Still thinking about that pine needle question you asked.
Sounds like you made both peppermint extract and a little peppermint vodka tonic. Nice.
HA, would make a great holiday tonic!
I was just getting ready to say that it sounds just like the vanilla extract we made. Apparently we weren’t the only ones.
We’ll have to give the peppermint a go as well. Thanks, Lisa!
I miss peppermint. I haven’t had it in years. My homeopath tells me in antidotes homeopathic remedies. I can’t wait to hear how the cookies come out!
Thank you Lisa. I just saw the pingback from this post. That’s so kind of you to mention my post and my blog. You know I feel the exact same way about 5 orange potatoes.
Making extracts is so much fun. And I must admit I sample it from time to time “to make sure it’s coming along ok”.
I have always wanted to make my own extract. Does it still contain alcohol after 6 weeks?
Love your blog!
Yes, it will still contain alcohol after 6 weeks, but all store bought extracts contain alcohol. The alcohol is strong enough to pull out the flavor and give it a long shelf life.