Homemade Crème de Menthe

Creme de Menthe the classic minty-green peppermint liqueur is easy to make yourself! Great for cocktails, recipes and for gifts.

Making homemade liqueurs is delicious and easy. Making classic Crème de Menthe is no exception.

This is a family recipe that my mother and grandmother both made. Like Homemade Coffee Liqueur, it’s easy, affordable, lasts indefinitely and is a great gift idea especially around the winter holidays.

Jump to:

• What is Crème de Menthe?
• What does Crème de Menthe Taste Like?
• Recipe Ingredients
• How to Make Crème de Menthe
• How to Store
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Recipes Using Crème de Menthe
• Cocktails using Crème de Menthe
• Where to Buy
• More Cocktail Recipes You’ll Love
• Recipe

What is Crème de Menthe?

Crème de Menthe (translated from French to mean ‘mint cream’) is a peppermint-flavored liqueur. It is most easily identified thanks to its deep green color.

What does Crème de Menthe Taste Like?

Liqueurs are sweeter than regular liquor. Usually used for sipping or in cocktails.

Crème de Menthe has a sweet minty flavor.

Recipe Ingredients

There are only a handful of ingredients in this Crème de Menthe recipe making it a cinch to make.

All ingredients are readily available from the grocery or liquor store:

• Water
• Granulated Sugar
• Grain Alcohol (I use Everclear brand)
• Peppermint Extract
• Green Food coloring

How to Make Crème de Menthe

You’ll see from the easy steps it can be made fast and effortlessly:

1. Combine the sugar and water. Heat until the sugar dissolved (happens quickly; no need to boil it), stirring frequently to speed the process. Allow to cool.
2. Once cool add the grain alcohol, peppermint extract and green coloring.
3. Store in a cool, dark location and it will last indefinitely.

How to Store

Store Crème de Menthe in a sealed glass container in a cool, dark place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Recipes Using Crème de Menthe

Grasshopper Pie: to say this is an all-time favorite recipe in my family would be an understatement!

Grasshopper pie is a frozen pie with a billowy, minty filling made of marshmallow, cream and Crème de Menthe in a chocolate cookie crust.

It has found its way to our Thanksgiving menu annually as well as other times throughout the year.

Grasshopper Pie Milkshake: having the same flavors as Grasshopper Pie, this minty-chocolate shake is a favorite.

Crème de Methe Marshmallows: these easy light green marshmallows are perfect in a cup of hot cocoa or as gifts.

Drizzle over Vanilla Ice Cream: this simple use is always delicious!

Crème de Menthe Cake (That Skinny Chick Can Bake)

Crème de Menthe Bars (Comfortably Domestic)

Cocktails using Crème de Menthe

Probably the best-known cocktail using Crème de Menthe is the Grasshopper Cocktail! A creamy chocolate mint cocktail…

Grasshopper Cocktail Recipe

• 1-part Crème de Menthe
• 1-part Crème de Cacao
• 1-part cream

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with crushed ice. Shake and pour into a martini glass.

TIP:  for the bright green color, use clear or light Crème de Cacao. The darker version will still be delicious but the color of the drink is more like drab spinach….not so appetizing.

Creme de Menthe and Cream: I actually combined 2 parts Crème de Menthe and 1-part cream as a cocktail which was great. I did not finish it so poured that into some coffee which was also fabulous.

Mistletoe Mint Martini (Real Housemoms)

Irish Mojito (Recipe Girl)

Guinness Milkshake (Lemons for Lulu)

For more ideas check this list of 12 cocktails using Crème de Menthe

Where to Buy

Because you emailed….

The Bottles with Red Stoppers (these are the Small size)

Edible Candy Cane shot glasses  

More Cocktail Recipes You’ll Love

• Fall Cocktails from Vail Colorado Restaurants
• Chocolate Martini

Recipe

Originally published November 29, 2011