Homemade Sweetener

I am experimenting this year with the stevia plant. It is supposed to be 100 times stronger than sugar, without all of the negative side effects. I figured since we go through 4-5 25 pound bags of sugar a year, that we needed something different in our diet.

I started with 1 4 inch stevia plant that I bought at one of the big box stores. Luckily, it had 3 separate stems growing in it, and I was able to divide it into 3 plants. I now have 2 foot tall plants, and I have begun harvesting the leaves in an attempt to make my own sweetener.

If this works, I may try making stevia mojitos!!

Homemade Stevia Extract

Mix together 1 cup very hot distilled water with 1 cup bruised fresh Stevia leaves or 1/2 cup dried crushed Stevia leaves. Put in a jar with a cover. Let it stand for a day, then filter through a coffee filter. Refrigerate, covered, up to a month or freeze up to 6 months. You can dilute it with water if you want.

I am working on this recipe, so I will let you know how it turns out.

How to Make a Mojito

1 - 2 limes, cut into wedges
1/4 to 1/3 cup sugar or equivalent Stevia
1/2 cup mint leaves, packed
crushed ice
2 - 4 ounces of rum, depending on your taste
6 - 8 ounces club soda
Lime & mint for garnish

Place 2 lime wedges in a tall glass with sugar and mint leaves. Using a mudder or a wooden spoon, mash the ingredients together. Add 1-2 more lime wedges and ice. Pour club soda to fill class, stir. Add mint and lime for garnish and enjoy.


Well, it is taking alot longer than I expected to harvest the stevia leaves. I began to do so when I wrote the initial post above, but, the plants don't seem to like being harvested just yet. I almost have 1/4 of a cup of dried leaves, and just picked some more this evening. It may be Friday before I get to make the sweetener.