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Homemade Crème de Menthe

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

Homemade Creme de Menthe title

Updated December 2018

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.

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.

Homemade Creme de Menthe

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.

What Ingredients are in Crème de Menthe?

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

Do I Have to Use Food Coloring?

No! Though the telltale green color is a signature of classic Crème de Menthe, if you don’t like using food coloring you can omit it and leave the liqueur clear.

Bottles of Creme de Menthe and Grasshopper Cocktail

Is Crème de Menthe Gluten-Free?

YES! This homemade Crème de Menthe recipe is naturally gluten free.

How to Store Crème de Menthe

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

How Long Does Crème de Menthe Last?

If stored as described above, it lasts indefinitely!

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.

Slice of Grasshopper Pie with pie pan in background

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)

Crème de Menthe Cheesecake (Copykat Recipes)

Creme de Menthe and Grasshopper Cocktail

Homemade Creme de Menthe in edible candy cane shot glasses and Grasshopper Cocktail

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  

Bottles of Creme de Menthe

If you’ve made this Creme de Menthe recipe please RATE THE RECIPE below!

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Homemade Creme de Menthe title
5 from 18 votes
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Homemade Crème de Menthe

Homemade Creme de Menthe is very easy to make and lasts indefinitely when stored in a cool dark place. Great for cocktails and in recipes like Grasshopper Pie.

Course Cocktails, Cocktail Syrup
Cuisine American
Keyword creme de menthe recipe, homemade creme de menthe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 40 2-ounce servings (10-11 cups total volume)
Calories 184 kcal
Author Toni Dash

Ingredients

  • 8 cups water
  • 8 cups sugar
  • 1 pint 190 proof grain alcohol (I used Everclear brand)
  • 3 tablespoons peppermint extract
  • 1 tablespoon green food coloring

Instructions

  1. Combine the sugar and water. Heat until the sugar dissolved (happens quickly; no need to boil it), stirring frequently to hasten the process. Allow to cool.
  2. Once cool add the grain alcohol, peppermint extract and green coloring.
Nutrition Facts
Homemade Crème de Menthe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 184
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 3mg 0%
Potassium 1mg 0%
Total Carbohydrates 40g 13%
Sugars 40g
Protein 0g 0%
Calcium 0.2%
Iron 0.1%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Originally published November 29, 2011

Creme de Menthe is a classic green peppermint liqueur. You can make it at home with a few ingredients! It's easy, fast and perfect for gift giving. Tips, tricks, and recipes to use it included. #cremedementhe #liqueur #homemade #easyrecipe #giftideas #peppermint
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  1. Gotta try this! As a kid, I remember at the holidays my dad would bring additional things home to stock the liquor cabinet – that yellow galliano liquer was one, as was creme de menthe. Haven't thought about it in years!

    Reply

  7. Nice one I didn't know you could make this it all sounds so simple as well. It should save me a fortune as well, I'm all so thinking of how to incorporate this in to some of my chocolate recipes.

    Reply

  9. I just found Christmas gifts to give! This looks fantastic. I need to get some Everclear, but I'll send Hubby out for that. once he sees what I want to do with it, he'll be willing to go. Thanks for delving into the heirloom recipes. Those are more meaningful because they've stood the test of time.

    Reply

  13. Hi BL, Pattypan from over the water here. I have this recipe and have been threatening to make it for ages. Glad to hear its lovely as Creme de Menthe is one of my favourites. I haven't come across the Grasshopper pie before and I like the sound of it one to put on my to do list. Now you have made it what about making some home made Creme De Menthe Delight. Same recipe as Turkish Delight just replace the rose water with the Creme De Menthe liqueur or peppermint oil/flavouring and/or green food colouring if not using the Creme De Menthe.
    Pretty tasty. If you want a recipe let me know

    I also have a good recipe for Toffee Vodka.

    Take care.

    Pattypan

    x

    Reply

  16. Thanks all for your kind comments!

    Jacky and Angela: I purchased the shot 'glasses' from the Peppercorn, a local kitchen shop (extraorindaire I will add) in Boulder. They do ship so you might check there. I also did a quick internet search and found some listings for them on Amazon.com, larger quantities and more expensive but they are there!

    Pattypan!: So lovely to hear from you! Your blog stands out with the best ideas for mixtures such as this and I love the cocktail recipe, thank you! You prompted that I need to come back and look around. Absolutely do give this a go. So easy and fast (no infusion time). I am determined to wait a year for my Hedgerow Gin though I won't claim that is easy to do! Grasshopper Pie was very hip in the U.S. I'd say in the 1960's into the 1970's then it disappeared. If you saw the post with the recipe you'll know I revived it from my family recipe files for a vintage inspired party. Now my family is addicted to it! Made one for our Thanksgiving even (very untraditional).

    Carolyn: It's in our water here! So says Coors…

    Reply

  17. Hoooo-eeeeeeee!!!!!!! When you say “photo shoot,” it just doesn't conjure up how fabulous the images are going to be!! My friend, you truly have a talent. Even knowing “what to expect,” you consistently blow me away. These photos are absolutely wonderful!! The red and green – Christmas evoked in such a subtle and beautiful way. I am running out of superlatives in my mind. And the accompanying text – spicy, intimate, educational all at the same time 🙂

    Reply

  18. Loved your latest post (as usual). It brought back many memories — creme de menthe was always a good gift when money wasn't there! I may have to make this again!

    Reply

  19. Thank you! What a great recipe. I don't often use Crème de Menthe, so it always kind of irks me to buy it – and I probably end up buying lesser quality stuff since I know it's just going to sit in the back of my liquor cabinet until the next time I want a make one of the few cocktails that require it. Your recipe looks easy and wonderful – what could be better? Thanks so much for this.

    Reply

  22. This is great! I'm thinking that I might make it and divide the batch so that I could color some for Creme de Menthe and leave some uncolored for recipes that want other peppermint flavored liqueurs such as Peppermint Schnapps, etc.

    Reply

  23. This would make for a wonderful gift. I have the store bought stuff, but if I had known it was that easy to make-I would not have bought it. Guess I will not be purchasing but making it from now on!
    I love all things mint so it would not be hard to make use of it in my house. Great post!

    Reply

  25. I had no idea that liqueur was that easy to make.
    I see grasshopper pie in my future, Thank you for sharing your heirloom recipe. Your pictures are gorgeous as always.

    Congrats on the Top 9.

    Reply

  31. seriously, that's it?! I need to make some of this asap! What a great hostess or holiday gift 🙂 Congrats on top 9 and thank you for sharing a family recipe with us!

    Reply

  32. My mother-in-law turned me on to grasshoppers and I've loved them every since. I've never had a grasshopper pie, but it has to be fabulous. I love your creme de menthe recipe! Everyclear – it's been awhile since I've bought that. 🙂

    Reply

  33. Linda Vich: Brilliant idea about witholding some of the creme de menthe and leaving it uncolored. Would give a different flexibility for the color!

    Becky, Lizzy, Meaghan, Erin, RavieNomNom: Thanks for the FoodBuzz congrats! Such a great surprise.

    Lidian: I am big on experimenting on things like this however I think the mixture with vodka would taste differently. Everclear has no taste so you really get the true Creme de Menthe flavor. Having said that I think if you can find a fairly tasteless vodka it would be worth a try and who knows you may invent something totally different and fantastic! Do let me know if you give it a go would you? Great tip on the shot glasses too; thanks. Will keep my eye out!

    mjskit: Me too on the 'when was the last time you thought of Everclear'! If you like the flavor of the Grasshopper cocktail you'll love the pie! It's not booze at all; more like a light ice cream pie. Addictive, completely!

    Reply

  34. Could you use vodka in place of the Everclear? I've used vodka as a base for other homemade liqueurs, so I'm thinking maybe you could.

    I love those candy cane shot glasses – I've seen a lesser version in the dollar store (loonie store to us here in Canada)that were in different colors…

    Reply

  35. WOW….. There is nothing better than chocolate, mint and alcohol together! I've made a shot like this using Rumplmints but yours sounds much better.

    Reply

  37. *Dribbles* Send me one over! I have a fab recipe for this: melt a bar of dark chocolate and let it cool down slightly, mix in as much creme de menthe as you dare and about a tablespoon of demerara sugar. Don't let the sugar dissolve. Cover a tray with cling film and pour the chocolate onto the tray. Let it set and then break it into bite sized, crunchy (adult) mint chocolates!

    Reply

  38. Oooh! I have a recipe coming up with creme de menth. I WISH I had made this first. I can't imagine how much you cherish those handwritten recipes handed down. I would love to have something like that. I am working to create a file for my family now. (PS, totally snagged me some of those little shot glasses too!).

    Reply

    • Alcohol does not go ‘bad’ as with a perishable food Brianna. I’ve confirmed that with some distillers as well. The flavor may become more subtle over a long period of time but should be fine indefinitely if stored in a cool, dark spot!

      Reply

  43. I use creme de menthe in some of my family’s favorite desserts! This homemade version looks fabulous! Great for holiday gifts, too.

    Reply

  56. Beautiful colors, beautiful pictures! I feel I will go straight to the grasshopper pie. Thank you! Very timely for Christmas.

    Reply
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