Looking for a recipe to use up all that fresh mint you have growing? I have a festive homemade mint vodka recipe for you. It’s a super easy recipe and it is as perfect for happy hour as it is for a holiday gift! This is the time of the year to use up any mint plants before they freeze. It’s refreshing and makes a wonderful summer cocktail or adds a dash of adventure to hot chocolate in the winter!
Infused liquors are a great way to add flavor and nuance to your cocktail recipes. You can infuse almost any liquor with fresh herbs, fruit, or spices- the possibilities are endless! You can make Mint Vodka at home by following this recipe – it’s easy and fun for beginners.
Have you tried making infused alcohol before? Share your favorite concoctions in the comments below!
What is mint vodka?
Mint vodka is a liquor that gets its flavor from freshly picked mint leaves. You infuse the fresh leaves into some alcohol, vodka in this case. Mint pairs well with other popular flavors like lemon and chocolate for homemade cocktails or can be enjoyed by itself. You could make a ton of variations on this recipe.
Try making lemon vodka by using lemon verbena or lemon balm in place of the mint. The next one I’m trying out is lemon thyme vodka using lemon herbs and mint!
What do you need to make infused vodka?
I wasn’t kidding in telling you this was easy. You really just need 2 things vodka and mint.
- 2 cups vodka, but you can use any neutral spirit
- 1 cup fresh mint leaves (any variety will work, I’ve used orange mint, chocolate mint, and peppermint)
- 1 mason jar
How to Infuse Mint into Vodka for a Fresh Twist on Cocktails
Pour vodka over the mint in a mason jar. Tighten the lid and shake. Steep in a dark place for at least 5 full days and shake once a day. You can leave it for up to a month to get a stronger mint flavor. When the mint strength is what you want, strain through a fine-mesh strainer and put in the bottles you’d like to store or gift in.
What variations can I make?
Use a different liquor like rum, gin, or even bourbon if you want. It’s the same process. You can change up the herbs, spices, or even add fruits. Try using:
- rosemary
- thyme
- cardamom
- cinnamon
- basil
- berries
- figs
- and so much more!
Or make this Vanilla Mint Vodka from Vegan Food Gifts. This is another great holiday present and you can get the recipe here.
Photo by Celine Steen
How to use your infused liquor
Fresh ingredients make the best drinks and the best infusions too. Don’t forget that you can use this in hot or cold drinks depending on the season.
An easy cocktail is this mint vodka mixed with soda water, seltzer water, or club soda and lemon juice. Pour over ice cubes and garnish with lemon slices, a mint leaf, or a cucumber ribbon if you want to be fancy. It’s a simple and refreshing summer cocktail.
On a warm summer day, a vodka mojito could go a long way. Just add 2 ounces vodka to a cocktail shaker, lime juice, agave nectar or simple syrup, and a few sprigs of fresh mint you’ll include. Garnish with extra mint.
Don’t Imbibe?
Make a mint syrup by heating up equal parts vegan white sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved. Add in the mint sprigs, take off the heat and leave until cool. Strain and store in the fridge. Try this is mint lemonade, coffee or tea, or hot chocolate.
Make a mint extract by combing 1 cup fresh mint with 1 1/2 cups vodka in a mason jar. Put in a dark place for 2 months, then strain. Use in baking or drinks just like you would store-bought mint extract.
Also, try my pineapple mint agua fresca, or this delightful slightly sour blackberry mint lemon switchel. If you have some fresh mint and lemon balm in your garden, this mint blueberry smoothie is a must-try too! All with no alcohol.
Fresh Mint Infused Vodka
Ingredients
- 2 cups vodka
- 1 cup fresh mint leaves (any variety will work, I've used orange mint, chocolate mint, and peppermint)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a mason jar with a tight lid and shake. Allow to steep in a dark place for 5 days to several weeks. Shake once a day.
- Strain through a fine mesh strainer and put in the bottles you'd like to store or gift in.
Ali @ Home & Plate says
I never thought of creating my own flavored vodka but mint would be a perfect place to start. Seems simple enough. Thanks.
Kristina says
yep – we have a BUNCH of mint to be used, I love this idea!
Lauren @ Wicked Spatula says
I totally need to try this with tequila! Vodka and I don’t get along too well.
Marlynn @UrbanBlissLife says
I keep meaning to make my own infused vodkas, and I love the idea of mint infused vodka! I can think of some friends who would love this as gifts as well. Thanks!
Lisa @ Low Carb Yum says
You had me with easy on this recipe. I have a large bottle of vodka in my pantry just begging to be used. I’m not much of a drinker so this would make a cool gift. Thanks for the idea!
nibbles by nic says
Ok, I actually have TONs of Mint in my backyard and never thought to steep it in Vodka! Perfectly genius!
Healing Tomato says
Ok, this recipe is so perfect. I am in the mood for a good vodka martini. I really like the use of fresh mint
mjskit says
Love this! I have the vodka and tons of mint. Headed out to pick some mint now. Thanks!!!
Verner says
I find that this method easily creates a product that tastes like grass. This is because the mint breaks down very fast like basil would. Instead, I put the vodka in the freezer. Once it’s really really cold, I mix it with the mint and pop it back in the freezer. The freezer infusion ends up with all the mint notes (such as the chocolate note of chocolate mint or the lemon note of Hillary mint), so you don’t just end up with a menthol cough syrup (or mouldy hey perfume).
It has to be left in the freezer to infuse for a lot longer, though. Then strained and put in a bottle (or drunk straight from the jar in big gulps). Never did alcohol breath smell so delightful!
Angie Kirby says
thank you so much for the tip! i’ll try that on my next batch
Thomas R Sager says
Doesn’t sugar get added and brought up to temperature of melting the sugar before storing?
Kathy Hester says
Not in this recipe because we are just making flavored vodka and not a liqueur. But you could totally do that and make it a cordial.