Creme De Menthe Recipe with Silky Finish

Instructions:

1. Wash your 2 cups of fresh peppermint leaves (40g) thoroughly in cold water to remove any grit. Remove all stems carefully, as they contain tannins that can make your Creme de Menthe taste unpleasantly bitter. Pat the leaves completely dry with a lint free towel. Note: Water on the leaves can dilute your initial infusion, so dryness is key.
2. Place the dry leaves into your clean quart jar and pour in the 1.5 cups of 100 proof vodka. Use a wooden spoon to muddle the leaves gently against the bottom of the jar for about 30 seconds. Seal the jar tightly and store in a cool, dark place for 24 hours.
3. In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1 cup of filtered water. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly until the liquid is completely clear and no sugar crystals remain. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool to room temperature.
4. After 24 hours, the vodka should be a deep, dark green. Pour the infused vodka through a fine mesh strainer into a clean bowl to remove the leaves. Note: Don't squeeze the leaves too hard, or you might push through bitter particles.
5. For a professional look, pass the green vodka through a coffee filter or double layered cheesecloth. This step is slow but results in a liquid that is brilliantly transparent and free of debris.
6. Stir the cooled simple syrup into the filtered mint vodka. Add the 1 tsp of vegetable glycerin and the 3 drops of green food coloring. Stir gently until the color is uniform and the liquid looks silky.
7. Pour your finished liqueur into its final glass bottle. While you can use it immediately, letting it rest for another 24 hours allows the flavors to marry and the 'alcohol burn' to mellow out.