Today we have a wonderful post from our sweet contributor
JES!
Have you begun an herb garden this year or perhaps a dried collection in your home apothecary? Do you have wonderful plans for all the creative ways you can use them? Today I wanted to share how to make an easy peppermint extract. This will come in handy for some homemade ice cream, peppermint patties and other recipes that refresh in the summer!
Important Notes:
Alcohol is present in all pure extracts and will cook off when baking.
If someone (including you) has a weakness to it in your family then I suggest skipping this project
(or you can always make a glycerin-based extract, see tutorial here).
Simple List of Supplies (recipe can easily be doubled or tripled, etc.):
- Peppermint, chopped (fresh or dried)
- vodka (80 – 100 proof, cheap brand is fine)
- 1 clean jar with lid
- patience üôÇ
Fill up a clean jar ¬Ω of the way with clean peppermint leaves (if using the fresh herb). Fill the jar 1/3 of the way with peppermint (if using the dried herb).
Fill up the remaining of the jar with vodka and tightly seal your jar (if your lid is metal, place a piece of wax paper or plastic wrap in between so it doesn’t corrode). Give it a nice shake and let concoction sit in a dark place for 3-4 weeks (make sure to label your jar with the contents and date so you can keep track). Gently shake the mixture at least once a week to infuse the flavors.
When proper time has elapsed, strain your finished product and place inside a clean glass bottle. This will last for years!
Note: To make this infusion double strength, add another batch of peppermint to your finished extract and repeat the process one more time.
We recycled an old extract bottle and pasted on a homemade label (which you are more than welcome to use). Wouldn’t this be a fun gift to give? You will find our free printable label and instruction sheet
HERE
There are so many ways that you can utilize this peppermint extract! One of our favorites is to make mint chocolate chip ice cream (our recipe is shared here). You can add a teaspoon to your coffee along with some cocoa powder for a peppermint mocha or flavor some cooling blended coffee drinks (recipe ideas here). There are also a variety of DIY projects that you can prepare with this extract. We will be sharing many of these kinds of recipes and ideas on our blog this summer (visit here for future updates!).
Happy herbal-homemaking, ladies!
JES has been the wife to her “one and only” for 18 years and is a homeschooling mother who embraces her role as “keeper at home”. Her desire is to give inspiration and ideas for homemaking, homeschooling and homesteading. She shares these old fashioned loves at Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth. 
