Create your own luxurious homemade crème de menthe with this simple, yet sophisticated recipe that combines the bright, refreshing flavor of fresh mint leaves with the smooth warmth of vodka and a hint of vanilla. Perfectly customizable, this recipe allows you to craft a vibrant, emerald-hued liqueur with optional green food coloring or keep it au naturel. Infused with freshly steeped mint syrup and crafted in just 15 minutes of prep time, this DIY crème de menthe is an ideal addition to cocktails, desserts, or as a thoughtful homemade gift. With no artificial additives and a shelf life of up to three months when refrigerated, this delightful blend ensures a fresh, artisanal touch to your bar collection.
Rinse the fresh mint leaves thoroughly and gently pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel.
In a medium saucepan, combine the granulated sugar and water. Heat over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the sugar is completely dissolved to create a simple syrup. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
Remove the saucepan from heat and add the fresh mint leaves to the simple syrup. Cover and let the mixture steep for 20-30 minutes, allowing the mint flavor to infuse into the syrup.
Strain the mint leaves out of the syrup using a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth, pressing gently to extract all the liquid. Discard the mint leaves.
Let the mint-infused syrup cool to room temperature.
Once cooled, combine the mint-infused syrup, vodka, and vanilla extract in a large, clean jar or bottle. Stir or shake gently to mix.
If desired, add 3 drops of green food coloring to achieve the classic green hue of creme de menthe. Shake or stir again to distribute the color evenly.
Seal the jar or bottle tightly and allow the mixture to rest for at least 24 hours in a cool, dark place to develop its flavor.
After resting, taste the creme de menthe. If you prefer a stronger mint flavor, consider adding a few drops of peppermint extract and gently stirring to incorporate.
Transfer the finished creme de menthe into decorative bottles or jars for gifting or storage. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.
Serving size | 1254.4 grams (1254.4g) |
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Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
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Calories | 2517 |
Total Fat 2.50g | 3% |
Saturated Fat 0.00g | 0% |
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g | |
Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
Sodium 36mg | 2% |
Total Carbohydrate 435.50g | 158% |
Dietary Fiber 20.00g | 71% |
Total Sugars 413.00g | |
Protein 12.50g | 25% |
Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
Calcium 765mg | 59% |
Iron 23mg | 126% |
Potassium 1591mg | 34% |
Source of Calories