Peppermint Cordial

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briankettering

NewBee
Registered Member
Jun 2, 2005
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Cordial #20 - March 5, 2000
Peppermint Cordial

Ingredients:

Step 1:

3 teaspoons of dry peppermint leaves
2 cups of vodka (Gordon's brand), 80 proof
3/4 cup of water
1/4 cup of white sugar
2/3 cup light corn syrup (Karo's brand)

Step 2:
1/3 cup light corn syrup (Karo's brand)

Procedure:

Dissolve the white sugar and light corn syrup in the water over a very tiny flame. Let cool to room temperature.

Add the peppermint leaves and vodka to a very clean quart jar with a lid. Add the sugar syrup. Close the lid tightly. Swirl vigorously to mix. Set aside for at least 3 weeks before checking to see if it needs more sweetening.

Notes:

April 1, 2000: Racked the cordial. It has a very pleasant golden color to it. There is an aroma of peppermint as well as a great aftertaste. Fortunately the peppermint taste is not overwhelming. The cordial was not quite sweet enough, so I added an additional 1/3 cup of light corn syrup. I swirled the cordial to mix and set aside.

May 7, 2000: The cordial is very clear, with a crisp peppermint aroma. It is a beautiful golden-brown color. It has a very nice mouth feel, without an overwhelming sense of sweetness or mint. There is some tingling at the very tip of my tongue when I hold the cordial in my mouth. When I swallow, there is a slight tingle at the back of my throat and cool mint feeling in my sinuses. I don't think I will do anything else to this cordial except age it!

July 1, 2000: Aging the cordial is a wonderful idea. The aroma is wonderful, the color is clear, the taste is amazing, and there is no hint of alcohol. The cordial is fresh in it sweetness, instead of cloying.

February 3, 2001: Very, very pleasant taste of peppermint, though I have only a tiny bit left. My second batch was left to steep way too long so I think the light, fresh taste in this cordial will be liked more than the heavier taste of the newer batch.
 
Thank you Brian,
The recipe looks good. Is this the recipe where you use the leaves from tea bags?
I will have to give it a try.

Ted
 
Yep, the dried mint leaves came from mint tea bags. Each tea bag measured exactly one teaspoon!

I have an experimental mint wine going right now. The tea bag that I used contained a teaspoon-full of spearmint leaves, peppermint leaves, hibiscus flowers, rose hips, and lemon peel.
 
Brian,

Could you please provide a brand name on the mint tea so I could locate some since I am not a tea drinker...

Also, is there a reason I shouldn't just hang the mint tea bags into the mixture to make racking easier?

Thanks,
Pewter
 
From the composition, and mind you I'm no expert, it sounds like Bigelow mint tea.

Ted
 
Pewter_of_Deodar said:
Brian,

Could you please provide a brand name on the mint tea so I could locate some since I am not a tea drinker...

Also, is there a reason I shouldn't just hang the mint tea bags into the mixture to make racking easier?

Thanks,
Pewter

If I can find out which brand I used, I will let everyone know.

Keep an eye on the ingredient list of any mint teas you come across. If the ingredient are simply dried mint leaves, you are good to go.

There is no reason not to leave the mint tea in the tea bag. Personally, I have not had a hard time straining crushed spices and herbs out of my brews.

Brian K