Refreshing Homemade Peppermint Extract (Printable version)

Fresh peppermint leaves infused with glycerin and water for a bright natural flavor enhancer.

# What You'll Need:

01 - 1 cup (0.88 oz) fresh peppermint leaves, washed and dried

02 - 1 cup (8 fl oz) food-grade vegetable glycerin

03 - 1/4 cup (2 fl oz) distilled water

01 - Coarsely chop the fresh peppermint leaves to release their essential oils.

02 - In a clean glass jar, mix the vegetable glycerin and distilled water thoroughly.

03 - Submerge the chopped peppermint leaves completely in the glycerin mixture.

04 - Seal the jar tightly and shake gently to blend the contents.

05 - Store the jar in a cool, dark place for 2 weeks, shaking gently every 1 to 2 days to enhance infusion.

06 - After infusion, strain the liquid through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a clean bottle, discarding the solid leaves.

07 - Label the bottle and keep the extract in a cool, dark location for up to 1 year.

01 -

No alcohol means the peppermint flavor stays bright and clean without any harsh edge.
You control the strength, and it costs a fraction of what you pay for tiny bottles at the store.
It keeps for a full year, so one batch covers all your holiday baking and summer drinks.

02 -

Dry the peppermint leaves thoroughly after washing or the trapped water will weaken your extract and shorten its shelf life.
Shake the jar regularly during infusion or the leaves will clump at the top and the flavor will come out uneven.
Strain through cheesecloth if you want crystal-clear extract, because a mesh strainer can leave tiny leaf particles behind.

03 -

Bruise the leaves gently with the flat of your knife before chopping to release even more oil without shredding them.
If you are using dried peppermint, cut the amount in half because dried leaves pack more concentrated flavor than fresh.
Shake the jar in the morning when you make coffee, it becomes part of your routine and you will never forget.