This homemade mint extract is a super easy way to use up fresh mint. Makes for a great gift idea too!
Start by giving the mint a good rinsing. Then you want to pat it dry so there is no water on it.
Next, take the leaves and give them a little cush with your fingers or a mortar and pestle. You could asl chop them if you would prefer.
Add the leaves to a jar. (see note below about adding to small bottle like pictured)
Pour the vodka or Everclear over the mint and place lid on jar. It is very important that the leaves stay submerged.
Store the jar in a cool dark area. Shake it every few days over the next four weeks to make sure the leaves stay under the liquid.
After four weeks have passed, strain the leaves off and pour the liquid into small bottles.
Instead of allowing the same mint leaves to stay in the vodka for four weeks, you will change them out weekly but you will keep using the same vodka.
In the pictures, I added them to a small bottle for the look of the photo. You can do that, however, it does make it hard to get the leaves back out when it is time to strain it. Because of that, I recommend making it in a jar first.