Here’s how we learned to make our own Stevia sweetener:

1 Cup fresh Stevia leaves (dried will work but has more tendency to turn out bitter)

2 Cups Vodka

1 Pint Ball jar

strainer

funnel

basket shaped coffee filter (keep these on hand for just this reason)

saucepan

spoon

2oz. to 4oz. eyedropper bottles (save the bottles from store bought Stevia sweetener)

Put your Stevia leaves in the pint jar and pour the vodka over them making sure that they are covered by the liquid. Put the lid on the jar and date it. That is to remind you to come back to your project in two days. Leaving the leaves in the vodka longer may make the sweetener turn out bitter. Strain the now green vodka through a strainer into a saucepan and heat gently. Watch the liquid and don’t let it come to a boil – stir it and reduce the heat as soon as it shows signs of bubbling. Stir it over low heat until it is reduced by about half. This will make the liquid thicker and burn off most of the alcohol.

Allow your creation to cool, then strain through the stainer, coffee filter and funnel into your small bottles. Label and date, use and enjoy!

If you enjoyed this project, you can learn more about herbal mixtures HERE.