Do you have more mint than you know what to do with? It’s a common problem to have if you are growing your own fresh mint. It tends to spread easily and can be rather prolific!
I not only receive fresh mint from a farm share I belong to, but also from my very own garden. We grow chocolate mint, spearmint, peppermint, and sweet mint. We have chosen to grow these mint varieties in containers. However, if you are growing similar varieties in the ground, you may have quite a spread!
What is one to do with all this mint when it’s time to harvest it? Here are the most practical ideas that I have found useful over the years. Hopefully you find them useful, too!
1. Mint Sun Tea
The easiest way to use fresh mint leaves is to make Mint Sun Tea.
- Place a few sprigs of leaves into a half gallon mason jar.
- Fill it with cool filtered water.
- Seal the jar with an airtight lid and place it in the warm sun for several hours.
- When the leaves have steeped in the jar to your liking, simply bring the jar inside, remove the leaves, and refrigerate or simply serve over ice for a refreshingly, minty drink. You can sweeten it with raw honey, if you like.
Alternatively,
- You can add 5-10 big leaves to a mug. You may want to tear the leaves to better fit them in the mug.
- Pour hot water over the leaves.
- Let steep 5-10 minutes.
- You can either remove the leaves and enjoy sipping on the warm tea or you may cool the tea and serve it over ice for a refreshing mint iced tea.
Mint tea is especially refreshing on a hot summer day! It will also perk up your morning. Any type of mint can be used. However, I enjoy sweet mint or chocolate mint the most!
2. Make Mint Extract
Another rather easy way to use up some of that fresh mint is to make mint extract. It takes a little while to make, but it really couldn’t be easier! Here’s how you make it:
Mint Extract
Equipment
- Pint-Sized Mason Jar
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Fresh Mint Leaves, packed
- 2 Cups Vodka *
Instructions
- Rinse the fresh mint and pat it dry.
- Remove the leaves from the stems.
- Crush the leaves with your hands to release some of the oils.
- Once the leaves start to give off oil, place them in a pint-sized mason jar.
- Fill the jar with vodka, leaving 1-inch of head space. Be sure to completely cover the leaves with alcohol, so that mold does not form.
- Place an airtight lid on the jar and shake the contents to combine.
- Store the jar in a cool, dark place and allow to steep for one to two months.
- When the extract is strong enough to your liking, strain the leaves from the vodka extract.
Notes
You can place all the mint extract in a similar sized jar for your own use at a later date. Or you can spread the love and share this amazing mint extract with friends and family as gifts. Place a few ounces of mint extract in several smaller bottles and give them away for the holidays or other special occasions. Just don’t forget to add a fancy label to the bottle!
My favorite way to use mint extract is to add it to my homemade ice cream recipe. It can also be added to hot chocolate or smoothies. For other ideas, check out these 45 Recipes That Use Peppermint Extract.
3. Mint Tincture
According to Mountain Rose Herbs, “All tinctures are extracts, but not all extracts are tinctures!” As it turns out, alcohol must be used to extract the herbal properties of mint in order for the mint extract to be used as a mint tincture.
Using vinegar, glycerine, plain water, or any other solvent than alcohol, will cause your extract to remain simply an extract. Only an 80 proof or higher alcohol, like vodka or brandy, will result in an extract that can be used as a tincture.
When making an extract using fresh mint and a high percentage of alcohol, the jar does not need to be shaken daily. The jar can simply be stored, as stated above, in a cool, dark place for one to two months.
This mint tincture can be used to relieve upset stomachs, motion sickness, morning sickness and can even cure hiccups!
If you prepared your mint extract using the recipe above, it will result in a strong tincture. To use this mint extract as a tincture, simply take a dose of ½ teaspoon for adults and 10 to 20 drops for children. Repeat with additional doses throughout the day, if needed. It can be taken directly by mouth, mixed with a spoonful of Raw & Unfiltered Honey or added to your favorite beverage.
To learn more, see How to Make An Herbal Tincture.
4. Mint Mojito
Here’s an idea…Why not have yourself a refreshing cocktail? And what better cocktail to use up some of that mint than in a mojito?!
To make a classic mojito, you’ll need:
Mint Mojito
Equipment
- Tall Glass
- Mixing Spoon
Ingredients
- 5-8 Fresh Mint Leaves, plus more for garnish
- 1 Ounce White Rum (Optional)
- 2 Tbsp Fresh Lime Juice or ½ Fresh Lime Squeezed
- 1 Tbsp Raw & Unfiltered Honey
- Ice
- ½ Cup Club Soda or Sparkling Mineral Water
Instructions
- Combine fresh mint leaves, rum, lime juice, and honey in a cocktail shaker. *
- Muddle the mixture gently with a wooden spoon, until minty flavors are released.
- Add ice to the cocktail shaker, cover, and vigorously shake for 15 seconds, or until chilled.
- Strain the mixture into a tall glass filled with ice, leaving at least an inch at the top of the glass.
- Top off the glass with club soda or sparkling mineral water.
- Garnished with lots of extra fresh mint and lime, if desired.
Notes
But who says you have to add alcohol?
If you prefer, you can most certainly exclude the white rum and make this a non-alcoholic cocktail. And if you really want to jazz this cocktail up, add 3-4 fresh raspberries and ¼ cup of cranberry, cranberry pomegranate, or cherry juice, for a fruity twist! Kids, especially, will love this mocktail!
5. Mint ice cubes
An easy way to add flavor to your drinks all year long is to make mint ice cubes. You can make them in one of three ways. Try all three and choose which one you like best!
- Brew extra strong mint tea, using one of the methods listed above. When cool, distribute the tea into ice cube trays and freeze.
- Chop up fresh mint leaves and add 1 teaspoon to each ice cube section. Fill each section with 1 tablespoon of water, to cover the leaves and freeze.
- Place one mint leaf in each ice cube tray section. Pour a small amount of water into each section to cover the leaf and freeze.
When mint ice cubes are frozen solid, remove the cubes from the tray and store them in freezer bags until ready to use.
Add these cubes to water, lemonade, kombucha or your favorite beverage for an instant minty refreshment anytime you want. It’s perfect on a hot summer day!
6. Minty Kombucha
Although I love the ease of freezing fresh mint in the form of ice cubes, one can only drink so many beverages with mint cubes in them, am I right?
One of the ways I like to use up some of these frozen mint ice cubes is to add them to my kombucha during the second fermentation stage. I use one teaspoon of chopped fresh mint frozen in each ice cube for this purpose. Only one or two cubes are needed to flavor an entire gallon of kombucha.
A few flavors I have made that include mint are Marigold Mint, Pineapple Mint, Razzlemint, and Strawberry Mint. You can find these recipes in How to Flavor Kombucha 30 Different Ways. Or be creative and make up your own minty concoction!
7. Mint Bath Soak
You don’t just have to eat or drink your mint. You can use it in your bath, too! Why not enjoy a bath soak?
This Cucumber Mint Bath Soak sounds so soothing! And it is fairly simple to make, too.
You can also steep a handful of mint leaves in a pint of hot water for 10 to 15 minutes. Strain the extract and discard the leaves. Add the minty result to your bathwater for a rejuvenating, stress-free soak.
Add 10 to 20 drops of Chamomile or Chamomile Lavender essential oil to the bathwater for a calm and relaxing bath just before bedtime!
8. Mint Popsicles
I don’t think there is a kid on earth that doesn’t enjoy a popsicle on a hot summer day. And what a fun activity for kids to create their very own popsicle creation!
All you need is a popsicle mold and a lot of imagination!
To get the juices flowing, here are a few recipes for homemade popsicles that sound absolutely yummy! Have fun!
- Creamy Mint Popsicle
- Easy Pineapple Mint Popsicles
- Honey-Lime Mint Popsicles
- Mint Chocolate Chip Popsicles
- Watermelon Mint Popsicles
9. Add Fresh Mint to Your Favorite Recipes
And finally, you can always cook with fresh mint. There are countless recipes out there for using fresh mint. Here are just a few:
- Add your favorite berries and some chopped fresh mint leaves to unsweetened Greek yogurt for a delicious Berry Mint Yogurt Parfait.
- Add fresh mint leaves to your salad to zip up your meal! My favorite salad dressing to top it with is balsamic vinaigrette. Yum!
- Want to spice up your pesto? Add a handful of fresh mint to any pesto recipe, including this Garlic Scape Pesto. Use this to top salmon, pork, or chicken. You can even add it to a casserole.
- Make a Chocolate Mint Smoothie!
Chocolate Mint Smoothie
Equipment
- Blender or Vitamix
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
Ingredients
- ¾ Cup Almond or Coconut Milk, unsweetened
- 2 – 4 Fresh Mint Leaves
- 2 Tbsp Cocoa Powder or Cacao Powder
- 3 Tbsp Powdered Monk Fruit or Raw & Unfiltered Honey
- 2 Scoops Collagen Peptides *
Instructions
- Combine the first 4 ingredients into a Vitamix or Blender. Blend until smooth.
- Fold in the * collagen peptides last to avoid damaging the delicate proteins.
- Serve and enjoy!
Need more ideas? Learn 50 Ways to Cook with Fresh, Fragrant Mint. The possibilities are endless!
What is your favorite way to use fresh mint? Please share! I’d really love to know.
