Mint Extract

Homemade mint extract is actually quite easy, it just takes some time.  Mmmm... Mint.

1/2 cup bruised and lightly chopped mint leaves
1/2 cup vodka
1/2 cup water

Use what ever type of mint leaves that you want for the extract, like peppermint, spearmint, etc...  Place all the ingredients in container that be tightly sealed, like a small canning jar.  Leave in the jar for at least 2 weeks (the last one I made I let sit for 3 months).  Run the extract through a strainer into a bowl to remove the mint leaves.  Then put the extract back into the original container.  Now it is ready to use, though it will smell horrible.  It should be noted that homemade extract is rarely as condensed as store-bought, so you will usually want to double the amount in recipes.

Also, the alcohol acts a good medium for suspending the oils with give the flavor of mint but can be overwhelming when used in recipes where the alcohol is not cooked out.  It is also against my religion to drink alcohol, so that could cause a problem...  So to get the alcohol out place the amount of extract that you are going to use in the recipe in a microwave safe container and microwave ~35 seconds until the alcohol smell is gone.

Andrew Morris