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.
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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:
- 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.
- Once cool add the grain alcohol, peppermint extract and green coloring.
- 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
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.
YES! This homemade Crème de Menthe recipe is naturally gluten free.
If stored as described above, it lasts indefinitely!
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
Homemade Crème de Menthe
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
- 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.
- Once cool add the grain alcohol, peppermint extract and green coloring.
Nutrition
Originally published November 29, 2011
Brianna D says
How long would you estimate this is good for once bottled and stored?
Toni Dash says
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!
sarah @ two tarts says
Hi Boulder Locavore – we made creme de menthe the other day (with a few small changes), and published our pics & recipe today. Thanks for the inspiration!
kita says
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!).
All That I'm Eating says
*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!
Chef Dennis says
you are quite the home distiller! I love the colour of your creme de Menthe, and I bet it is oh so tasty! thanks for sharing your mom's recipe with us!
Florida Tenant says
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.
Lidian says
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…
Toni (the Boulder Locavore) says
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!
mjskit says
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. 🙂
BigFatBaker says
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!