Easy Chocolate Mint Extract Recipe - Just Three Ingredients (2024)

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Do you like the taste of chocolate and peppermint together? Then you should enjoy this easy chocolate mint extract recipe. It's made in a similar manner to the vanilla, almond and lemon extracts. (Check out the other homemade extract recipes here.) I use the chocolate mint plant as the basis for my extract, but peppermint will also work in combination with cacao nibs.

Easy Chocolate Mint Extract Recipe - Just Three Ingredients (1)

Homemade extracts are great for holiday gift giving. The flavor gets stronger the longer you allow the extract to steep, so make sure to plan for at least 6 weeks of infusion. I haven't purchased commercial mint extract in years.

You can use your homemade chocolate mint extract for all sorts of things. Add a little to your brownies, hot chocolate or hot chocolate eggnog, ice cream, homemade peppermint patties – use your imagination!

Easy Chocolate Mint Extract Recipe - Just Three Ingredients (2)

Easy Chocolate Mint Extract Recipe

Ingredients

80 Proof (40% alcohol by weight) vodka

Fresh chocolate mint leaves -OR- Fresh peppermint leaves

1 tablespoon of cacao nibs

Directions

Harvest mint in the morning after the dew has cleared. Remove any spoiled leaves and debris, rinse with cold water if needed and pat dry. Keep in mind that any excess water will dilute the extract and may lead to spoilage. Get your leaves nice and dry before chopping them for extract. We've have a LOT of rain here recently, so I didn't bother with a rinse.

I snip off the tender tops, and then strip the rest of the mint leaves from the stem by running my hand from top to bottom. Chop the mint leaves coarsely to create more surface area. A little rough handling/smashing as you pack them in the jar also helps release the oils.

Place chopped mint leaves in a small jar, enough so that the jar is filled but there is still some room for the leaves to wiggle and the booze to fit in. (I used a recycled jam jar, but a cup or half cup canning jar would work well, too.)

Add 1 tablespoon of cacao nibs per cup jar for chocolate mint extract, if you are using peppermint leaves, or if you'd like to add a little more chocolate flavor to your chocolate mint.

Fill jar with vodka to cover the mint leaves. Place lid on jar. Store out of direct sunlight, stirring or shaking daily, for 6-8 weeks. Longer is better if you have the time.

Strain out the mint leaves and cacao nibs with a fine mesh strainer, cheesecloth or flour sack towel. Store in a dark bottle out of direct sunlight. Order a set of 4 ouncedark bottles here.

Easy Chocolate Mint Extract Recipe - Just Three Ingredients (3)

Experiment with Other Mint Extracts

You can use a similar method with whatever sort of mint you have on hand. (I do think catmint might taste a little funny.) Spearmint, gingermint and applemint would be lovely, I'm sure. (There are over 600 varieties of mint, so you have a lot of options.) Don't have fresh mint? You can also make mint extract with dried mint. Can't find chocolate mint at your local nursery? Via the wonder of the internet, you can order a chocolate mint plant online.

Once you've established an herb garden, or even tucked in a few herb plants here and there (many of mine are free range, like chickens, and wander around the yard), you can enjoy years of harvests. Mints do like to spread, so plant them in a pot, or where they have plenty of room to grow or where you can mow around them to keep them in check. I made up this extract after we had already had our first fall frosts. (These plants are tough.) On the same day I filled the dehydrator with chocolate mint, catnip and spearmint. (Chocolate mint makes wonderful herbal tea!)

What's your favorite low maintenance herb, and how do you like to use it? It's always a pleasure to exchange information and get new ideas from our readers.

You may also find useful:

  • How to Make Liquid Sweetener from Homegrown Stevia – Homemade Stevia Extract
  • How to Make Homemade Extracts – Vanilla, Lemon and Almond
  • Apple Scrap Vinegar – Get More Out of Your Apple Harvest

Printable Version of Chocolate Mint Extract Recipe

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Easy Chocolate Mint Extract Recipe

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Easy chocolate mint extract made with fresh mint leaves and cacao nibs.

Ingredients

Scale

80 Proof (40% alcohol by weight) vodka

Fresh chocolate mint leaves

-OR-

Fresh peppermint leaves and 1 tablespoon of cacao nibs

Instructions

Harvest mint in the morning after the dew has cleared. Remove any spoiled leaves and debris, rinse with cold water if needed and pat dry. Keep in mind that any excess water will dilute the extract and may lead to spoilage. Get your leaves nice and dry before chopping them for extract. We've have a LOT of rain here recently, so I didn't bother with a rinse.

I snip off the tender tops, and then strip the rest of the mint leaves from the stem by running my hand from top to bottom. Chop the mint leaves coarsely to create more surface area. A little rough handling/smashing as you pack them in the jar also helps release the oils.

Place chopped mint leaves in a small jar, enough so that the jar is filled but there is still some room for the leaves to wiggle and the booze to fit in. (I used a recycled jam jar, but a cup or half cup canning jar would work well, too.)

Add 1 tablespoon of cacao nibs per cup jar for chocolate mint extract, if you are using peppermint leaves, or if you'd like to add a little more chocolate flavor to your chocolate mint.

Fill jar with vodka to cover the mint leaves. Place lid on jar. Store out of direct sunlight, stirring or shaking daily, for 6-8 weeks. Longer is better if you have the time.

Strain out the mint leaves and cacao nibs with a fine mesh strainer, cheesecloth or flour sack towel. Store in a dark bottle out of direct sunlight.

Notes

Use in your favorite recipes that call for mint extract, or anywhere you'd like a little chocolately-minty flavoring.

Easy Chocolate Mint Extract Recipe - Just Three Ingredients (5)

Originally posted in 2014, updated in 2017.

Easy Chocolate Mint Extract Recipe - Just Three Ingredients (2024)

FAQs

Can you add mint extract to melted chocolate? ›

Also, melted chocolate doesn't mix readily with tiny amounts of liquids. So, don't add peppermint extract or any other liquid to the melted chocolate, as this may cause the chocolate to suddenly harden. (A few drops of peppermint oil, on the other hand, can be added.)

How is chocolate mint made? ›

Chocolate mint is a close relative to ordinary peppermint (Mentha piperita). This hybrid is formed by crossing M. citrata (orange mint) with M. piperita to make the 'Chocolate' cultivar.

How do you add extracts to melted chocolate? ›

It is important to remember that when adding alcohol extracts and liqueurs to chocolate, these liquids need to be added to chocolate mixtures, not pure melted chocolate, otherwise the alcohol will cause the chocolate to seize and form a lumpy mass.

Can you add flavor extract to melted chocolate? ›

Melt or temper chocolate to desired temperature. Add the extract of choice and mix it gently. The extract will mix with the chocolate without any changes to the consistency or texture of the chocolate. Set the chocolate in molds, use in ganache, as dipping sauce etc.

What can I do with chocolate mint? ›

I am particularly fond of adding it to hot chocolate & brownies. Chocolate mint also makes delicious tea -- simply dry the leaves & flowers, or steep it fresh on its own for a lovely cup. Simply boil your water & sweetener in a good sized saucepan, stirring to dissolve.

What does mint chocolate do to your body? ›

Chocolate Mint contains several vitamins and minerals that can aid your immune system and reduce chronic inflammation. Its refreshing flavour, like other mints, awakens the mind, increasing focus and cognitive function. Its soothing qualities may aid digestive function and relieve breathing problems.

Does chocolate mint repel bugs? ›

Spearmint, peppermint or chocolate peppermint, or any mint, will help repel the mosquitoes. And make your planting area smell like a candy dish. Mints are aggressive and spread quickly, so be sure to harvest often.

How to make extracts at home? ›

You can make extracts out of anything (toasted hazelnuts, lemon peels, blackberries, vanilla pods) all you need to do is add vodka to a jar and add your solute in - that's it. There's no real recipe or standardization - just jar, solute, vodka. Leave it be for a couple weeks then give it a smell.

Can you make extracts without alcohol? ›

To make your non-alcoholic extracts, just substitute the alcohol called for in any extract recipe with three parts food-grade liquid glycerin and one part water. Stir the two ingredients together until well combined. Then, proceed with the recipe as usual.

What can I use instead of alcohol for extract? ›

7. Bourbon, brandy, rum, or vanilla liqueur. Spirits such as bourbon, brandy, rum, and vanilla liqueur can mimic the rich, caramelly taste of vanilla extract. Use 2 tsp of alcohol to replace 1 tsp of vanilla extract.

What is the difference between mint and chocolate mint? ›

Chocolate mint is an herbaceous shrub in the mint family Lamiaceae. Technically, it is a hybrid of two mints, peppermint (Mentha piperita) and orange mint (Mentha citrata). It has lovely dark green, lance-shaped leaves, and, in summer, it erupts in lavender-colored flowers.

How do you keep chocolate mint alive? ›

Like other mint plants, chocolate mint is quite easy to care for and can thrive in a variety of conditions. Water your plant frequently enough to keep the soil moist. You can also apply organic mulch to the soil around the plant to help keep it from drying out as quickly.

How do you store chocolate mint leaves? ›

The best way to store mint is in the fridge where it will stay nice and cool. This is the case for many herbs! If your mint is in it's full form, leaves and stems in-tact, you can store it upright in a glass or plastic container. Add 1/2 an inch of water at the bottom the container to so the cut stems are able to soak.

Can you add extracts to candy melts? ›

Traditional Candy Melts candy is vanilla flavored; however, you can also find them in dark cocoa and light cocoa, as well as a variety of limited edition flavors. If you want to add your own flavoring, make sure your extract is oil-based. Anything that's not oil-based may ruin your melted candy.

Can I add peppermint extract to tempered chocolate? ›

Use peppermint extract sparingly

I don't usually add this, but it's an option. You will add it once the chocolate is fully melted, and just a little at a time so it's not overpowering or toothpaste-y. Remember that the candy canes add lots of flavor, so avoid getting all the flavor from extract.

Can you add peppermint extract to candy melts? ›

Just be extra careful to not let the candy melts scorch. Place candy canes in a heavy duty zip-top baggie and use a rolling pin or mallet to crush into 1/4″ pieces. Remove candy melts from heat and stir in the peppermint extract and all but 1/4 cup of the crushed candy canes.

Can you use peppermint extract in candy melts? ›

Peppermint Extract – You could use vanilla, but we're going to pack as much peppermint flavour as possible into these treats! M&Ms – Any candy coated peppermint flavoured chocolate will do, just use one that is festive like red and green M&Ms!

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