How to Make Peppermint Syrup, the easy way

Last Updated on November 16, 2024 by Michelle

Want to make Peppermint syrup? You’re in the right place.

You’re going to love adding this easy-to-make kick of mint to so many drinks and even food. And, because you’re making it yourself, you enjoy this syrup with zero guilt. Heck, you’re going to be asking, “who knew healthy could be this good?”

Make Peppermint Syrup

Because it’s made with all-natural sugar, this peppermint syrup is all about adding some minerals and polyphenols to your day. And it’s also all about what you’re NOT adding to your next iced latte or bowl of ice cream.

So pat your back that you’re making your own peppermint syrup, I’m glad you’re here, friend.

Is peppermint syrup good in coffee?

Peppermint syrup is delicious in iced lattes, warm lattes, hot chocolate, coffee, and tea. And when you make it yourself it’s great for your wallet. No more buying those crazy expensive flavored syrups from coffee shops. Bonus: no more junk in your drinks…

When you buy a peppermint hot chocolate at your favorite coffee shop, it’s most likely been made with a simple syrup that has an exorbitant amount of refined sugar.

But it gets worse…. much worse.

Peppermint syrup usually lists natural flavors in their ingredients, essentially to hide whatever chemicals they’d like to add.

Listen to Episode 131. Why we can’t trust ingredients that are “Generally Recognized as Safe” for some insight into how most Big Food companies legally add ingredients that aren’t even officially approved by the FDA. And follow the Simple Doesn’t Mean Easy podcast here.

On top all that (as if insane amounts of refined sugars and undisclosed chemicals wasn’t enough), peppermint syrup is often loaded with preservatives–which are known hormone disruptors–and citric acid, which is made from black mold. (Eeeeewwww, right?)

Make Peppermint Syrup, the easy way

Most simple syrup recipes are made up of about 50% refined sugar. And most recipes require soaking your mint in with your hot water and all that sugar. Since it’s granulated, refined sugar it’s important to add the sugar while the water is hot, so the sugar can dissolve.

I decided years ago to start making simple syrups a better (and easier!) way. Go here for all the details about the easiest way to make simple syrup, with all kinds of edible flowers, herbs, and plants.

A Recipe for Peppermint Syrup

Fill a pint jar with dried mint leaves then cover with hot water.
After completely cool (overnight is fine), strain out mint.
Add 1/4 cup of maple syrup or honey for every 1 cup of water.

Notes about making peppermint syrup

Feel free to make this simple syrup with honey instead of maple syrup. Coconut sugar is also a great all-natural, complex sugar that would work well in this recipe, you would simply have to add that and stir it well into the hot water and then soak the mint leaves in the saturated sugar water until it cools.

What’s the difference between peppermint extract and peppermint syrup?

Peppermint extract is made with only 2 ingredients, alcohol and mint, and it’s very concentrated. For a full dessert recipe you might only use 1-2 tsp. But like simple syrup, extract is also easy to make yourself. Go here for my DIY Mint Extract & how to use it.

But peppermint syrup is made up of 3 ingredients, water, mint, and a sweetener, and it is not concentrated. For one drink you might want to add 2-3 tablespoons of peppermint syrup. Or if you’re brushing it over a cake before icing, you’ll need at least 1/4 cup, if not more, of the simple syrup.

What are the benefits of peppermint syrup?

Peppermint is such a great herb. It’s been used for all sorts of ailments since the beginning of time. I personally find it is very soothing and it helps ease an upset stomach. Go here for a long list of reasons to add mint to your diet.

I often enjoy a cup of peppermint tea by just soaking some dried peppermint leaves in a mug of hot water for 3-5 minutes. Even better, I love this minty tea that I make myself. While I call it “The Best Christmas Tea,” don’t let the name fool you… I drink it all year round.

What is the purpose of simple syrup?

I personally love simple syrup for easily sweetening a cold drink. In any situation where a dry sugar will not dissolve, a simple syrup is a great choice, since it is liquid and mixes in nicely without any effort.

But the true charm of simple syrup is the array of flavors it allows you to add to your drinks.

Go here for the easiest way to make simple syrups. And here are just a few wonderful simple syrup recipes…