Peppermint extract adds a refreshing minty touch to various dishes like baked goods, teas, drinks, and more. However, if you run out of peppermint extract, there are alternative ingredients that offer a similar cool and flavorful experience.

Substitutes for peppermint extract include mint leaves, peppermint oil, spearmint extract, and water mint extract. You can also consider using mint candy, peppermint bark, basil, or rosemary.

Peppermint extract is readily available in supermarkets and simple to use. Just add a few drops to your recipe to introduce a refreshing twist to both sweet and savory dishes.

If you find yourself without peppermint extract, don’t worry. There are plenty of easily accessible substitutes with similar flavorful profiles. So, keep reading till the end!

18 Best Peppermint Extract Substitutes!

Here is a list of the best peppermint extract substitutes that you should try.

1. Mint Leaves

Mint leaves are the closest in flavor to peppermint extract. Mint is a broader term encompassing various plants in the Mentha family, with peppermint being a specific type. This makes mint an excellent substitute for peppermint, offering the same cooling properties. Add mint leaves to beverages or baked goods for a refreshing taste, along with their health benefits.

2. Peppermint Oil

If you’re out of peppermint extract, consider using peppermint oil as a substitute. Peppermint oil, derived from peppermint plant parts, offers a strong minty flavor. Use it in recipes similarly to peppermint extract but be cautious with the quantity due to its potency.

3. Peppermint Schnapps

Peppermint schnapps is a distilled beverage with a peppermint flavor, serving as a convenient substitute for peppermint extract in certain recipes.

peppermint extract provides the desired flavor without being overpowering.

It’s easy to substitute peppermint schnapps for peppermint extract as it offers a subtle and pleasant flavor.

You can enhance your drinks by incorporating distilled spirits infused with peppermint undertones. The sweet notes of peppermint schnapps make it a preferred choice over peppermint extract, enhancing the overall taste.

Start with small quantities of peppermint schnapps and adjust according to your taste preferences.

### 4. Spearmint Extract

Another option similar to mint and peppermint is spearmint, which has a milder taste compared to peppermint extract.

Spearmint extract provides a blend of sweetness and herbal flavors, suitable for recipes requiring both peppermint and herbal notes.

Gradually add spearmint extract to your dish, ensuring the herbal taste doesn’t overpower the overall flavor.

### 5. Wintergreen Extract

Wintergreen extract serves as a great alternative to peppermint extract, offering a rich and potent aroma derived from aromatic plants.

While potent, a few drops of wintergreen extract can enhance the flavor of your drinks or beverages with its minty and menthol notes.

In baking, wintergreen extract complements cakes and cookies, adding refreshing minty flavors.

### 6. Mint Candy

Mint candies, reminiscent of childhood treats, can be crushed and added to recipes for a minty flavor.

While convenient and inexpensive, be mindful of the sugar content and artificial coloring in store-bought mint candies.

For a sweet and minty twist in beverages or dishes, crushed mint candies can be a simple and cost-effective choice.

### 7. Crème De Menthe

Crème De Menthe, a mint liqueur, offers a rich mint flavor with hints of alcohol, suitable for recipes requiring both mint and alcohol components.

Add a small amount of Crème De Menthe as a substitute for peppermint extract in cocktails or other beverages.

For alcohol-infused desserts, Crème De Menthe can provide a festive touch with its refreshing mint taste.

### 8. DIY Peppermint Extract

Create your peppermint extract for customized flavor intensity by infusing peppermint leaves in grain-free alcohol.

Allow the mixture to rest for a few weeks, replacing peppermint leaves periodically to control the extract’s potency.

Enjoy the homemade peppermint extract in your recipes once it reaches the desired flavor profile.

### 9. Candy Canes

Candy canes, known for their peppermint flavor, can be crushed and used as a substitute for peppermint extract in various recipes.

Be cautious of the sugar content in candy canes and adjust the quantity accordingly to prevent an overly sweet outcome.

Incorporate crushed candy canes in baked goods or beverages for a festive and minty twist.

### 10. Vanilla Extract

Vanilla extract, a staple in baking, can serve as an alternative to peppermint extract, offering a soothing and refreshing flavor profile.

A few drops of vanilla extract can replace peppermint extract in recipes, imparting a delightful vanilla essence.

### 11. Peppermint Bark

Peppermint bark, a confection made with candy canes and chocolate, provides a delectable addition to baked goods and desserts.Peppermint bark provides a delightful mix of peppermint and chocolate flavors. It can be crushed and added to recipes like candy canes.

Watermint extract is derived from water mint leaves and flowers, offering a similar cooling sensation as peppermint. It can be used as a substitute for peppermint extract, especially in drinks.

Basil, a herb from the mint family, can also serve as a replacement for peppermint extract due to its sweet and slightly peppery flavor.

Herbal mint tea, known for its mint flavor, can be used as a substitute for peppermint in recipes, particularly in beverages.

Methanol crystals provide a cooling and refreshing taste, making them a great alternative to peppermint extract in various dishes.

Rosemary, another herb from the mint family, can be used in place of peppermint extract, although the flavors may differ slightly.

Peppermint syrup, made from peppermint leaves, is a close substitute for peppermint extract and can be used to add a minty touch to drinks or recipes.

Eucalyptus can offer a cooling sensation similar to peppermint and can be used as a substitute, especially when balanced with a sweetener.

In summary, peppermint extract substitutes include mint, peppermint oil, mint candy, rosemary, basil, peppermint bark, watermint extract, herbal mint tea, methanol crystals, peppermint syrup, and eucalyptus.

When using these substitutes in recipes, start with smaller amounts and adjust based on your taste preferences.

Conclusion

As we come to the end of this informative guide, try out any of the listed substitutes and share your experience. Peppermint extracts are fantastic for flavoring recipes, but there’s more to explore.

Experiment with different options even if you have peppermint on hand. You might discover a unique twist to your dish.

While the substitute flavors may be similar, each one has its own uniqueness that sets it apart. Understand the nuances?

I’ll leave you with this advice and look forward to sharing something new next time. I trust this information was beneficial. Enjoy a minty drink and have a great afternoon until we meet again.

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