How to Make Fresh Mint-Infused Vodka at Home

Looking for a way to use up fresh mint from the garden? Here’s an easy, festive homemade mint vodka recipe that’s perfect for happy hour or as a thoughtful holiday gift.

This is an ideal time to preserve mint before frost, though fresh mint is typically available year-round at grocery stores. Mint-infused vodka is bright and refreshing for summer cocktails and adds a surprising twist to hot chocolate or coffee in colder months.

Infusing spirits is a simple way to introduce new flavors to classic drinks. You can steep herbs, fruits, or spices in almost any neutral spirit to create customized liquors. This mint vodka recipe is straightforward and beginner-friendly.

What is mint vodka?

Mint vodka is vodka that has been flavored by steeping fresh mint leaves in the spirit until the mint oils and aroma infuse the liquid. The result is a fragrant, herbaceous vodka that pairs well with lemon, chocolate, berries, or cucumber in cocktails.

If you want to experiment, swap the mint for lemon balm, lemon verbena, or other fragrant herbs to create lemon vodka or herbal variations. I’ve used orange mint, chocolate mint, and peppermint successfully; each variety yields a slightly different profile.

Ingredients

• 2 cups vodka (or any neutral spirit)
• 1 cup fresh mint leaves (any variety: spearmint, peppermint, chocolate mint, etc.)
• 1 mason jar with a tight-fitting lid

How to infuse mint into vodka

• Place the mint leaves in a clean mason jar and pour the vodka over them so the leaves are fully submerged.
• Screw the lid on tightly and give the jar a gentle shake.
• Store the jar in a dark, cool place and let it steep for a minimum of 5 days. Shake the jar once daily to help distribute the flavor.
• For a more pronounced mint flavor, steep up to 2–4 weeks, tasting periodically until it reaches the intensity you prefer.

When the infusion is at the desired strength, strain the vodka through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove all solids, then decant into bottles for storage or gifting.

Variations and swaps

The same method works with other spirits: try rum, gin, or even bourbon for different results. You can also infuse additional aromatics for a layered flavor:

• Rosemary or thyme for an herbal twist
• Cardamom or cinnamon for warm spice notes
• Basil for a sweet, peppery edge
• Fresh berries or figs for subtle fruit sweetness

For a flavored twist, consider adding a vanilla bean to create a vanilla-mint combination, or experiment with citrus peels for brightness.

Serving ideas

This mint-infused vodka shines in both cold and warm drinks. Keep it simple with soda water, seltzer, or club soda and a squeeze of lemon for a light spritz. Serve over ice and garnish with a lemon slice, a mint sprig, or a cucumber ribbon for a refreshing summer sipper.

Make a vodka-based mojito by combining 2 ounces mint vodka, fresh lime juice, a touch of simple syrup or agave, and muddled mint. Shake with ice and strain into a glass, garnishing with extra mint.

Non-alcoholic alternatives

If you prefer not to make alcohol, you can capture mint flavor in syrups or extracts. To make mint syrup, heat equal parts sugar and water until the sugar dissolves, remove from heat, add mint sprigs, let cool, then strain and refrigerate. Use the syrup in lemonade, iced tea, coffee drinks, or hot chocolate.

To make a non-alcoholic mint extract-like infusion for baking or flavoring, steep fresh mint in a neutral, food-safe liquid and reduce or concentrate as needed—though true extract typically uses alcohol for preservation.

Recipe: Fresh Mint Infused Vodka

Ingredients

• 2 cups vodka
• 1 cup fresh mint leaves (any variety)

Instructions

1. Add the mint leaves and vodka to a mason jar with a tight lid. Shake gently to combine.
2. Store the jar in a dark place and steep for at least 5 days, shaking once daily. Taste periodically and continue steeping up to a few weeks if you want a stronger mint flavor.
3. When ready, strain the vodka through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth into bottles for storage or gifting.

Nutrition (per serving)

Approximate values per serving: 71 kcal. Other nutritional values will vary slightly depending on serving size and dilution in cocktails.

Tried this recipe? Let us know how it turned out and what variations you experimented with.