Looking for liquid stevia in its purest form? Try making your own!
How to Make Liquid Stevia
Stevia is one of five sweeteners we use in our home. (See Five Sweetener Alternatives.) When homemade liquid stevia is not an option, I switch between Sweet Leaf and NuNatural.
Rotating and/or combining these sweeteners helps give us some variety without too much emphasis on one sweetener.
If you still want to make liquid stevia, but can’t grow your own, consider a green stevia powder like Suede Hills Stevia Powder.
A truly processed-free version of liquid stevia
Save Recipe
Ingredients
- glass jar with cap
- fresh stevia leaves
- vodka to cover leaves
- optional: vanilla bean to add flavor
Instructions
- Dry fresh stevia leaves in dehydrator or sun for 4-12 hours.(If you're using purchased powdered stevia skip to step 4)
- Remove leaves from stem.
- Grind in spice grinder.
- Place ground stevia in mason jar.
- If desired, add fresh vanilla bean to make vanilla stevia.
- Pour vodka over the powdered stevia, being sure to cover all of the leaves.
- Cap the jar and leave on the counter for 24 hours.
- Strain through cheesecloth.
- If desired, heat the liquid stevia on low to medium heat for approximately 30 minutes.This will allow most of the alcohol to evaporate.
- Pour into bottle with dropper.
The strained powder can be dried in the sun or dehydrator and used as powdered stevia.
Neither looks or tastes like the processed versions, but I’ve noticed that I can use the liquid and powder in recipes successfully. They definitely add sweetness to homemade yogurt snacks, snacks, and desserts. I keep all the other sweeteners on hand but love having this all natural sweetener – especially with yogurt, chia seeds, and blueberries!
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Yes we love our precious stevia bush out back and throw the leaves into anything that uses vitamix or food processor to blend (ie baked goods, and smoothies/ice cream). I definitely prefer using natural sugars like unprocessed maple syrup, dried fruit and local honey for their mineral and nutrient value.
But the convenience of a drop or two of flavored liquid stevia that mixes quickly into milk or yogurt is a valuable thing. We use stevita because it’s the cheapest…vodka is not something I’ve got around or know how to buy! I get most all my groceries from Azurestandard.com and they don’t carry it 🙂
I’m an Azure fan and you’re right they definitely don’t carry vodka 🙂
Andrea
I’ve been wondering wh at kind of Vodka to get. Most grain alcohols are made from corn which is most often GMO. I ‘ve been looking at Svedka Vodka from Sweeden wondering if they use GMO corn to make it. Have you done any research on a good vodka to use?
thanks
nancy
This is a great question, Nancy. Here is a great article that addresses the corn issue and offers some options.
http://www.thedailymeal.com/eat/grapes-c-roc-corn-titos-and-7-other-things-your-vodka-made I have not researched this myself yet, but definitely plan to!
So far what I’ve read is Svedka is made from fermented wheat.
Now I wonder if they use Round-Up on it prior to harvest!
Great recipe! I’m rating it a 5 🙂
Thanks Amber! I appreciate all you’re doing to help us learn the incredible benefits of herbs.
I bought Stevia this year for the first time and love how the fresh leaf tastes but didn’t know how to use it in food. Thx for the recipe! I now know how to harvest it for use!
It’s really a pretty plant isn’t it? Nice to hear from you, Karen.
This was a great post and I’m glad you’re teaching people they can do this themselves! I’ve picked this post as my featured article on Green Thumb Thursday. Hope you can join us this week!
Thanks Tessa!
That is so neat. I thought about growing my own and making liquid stevia, but I wasn’t sure how involved it was. You’ve shown me that it is totally doable. Thanks!
I want to thank you also for sharing on Green Thumb Thursday. I hope you come back and share again today!
Green Thumb Thursday | The Ultimate Garden Hop
I’ll have to dig in my files for a nice gardening post. I’m currently between homes and not gardening. I did accomplish my stevia before the move!
Where can I find stevia plants to purchase? Thanks!
I found them at our local nursery. I imagine you can purchase seeds online, Janet.
you say it tastes different…. what’s it taste like? does it taste “earthy” like the stevia powder smells?
thanks!
It’s hard to say. It’s still sweet, but yes, maybe a bit earthier. I think it’s best in the right combination of food.
What amounts of dried stevia and vodka 🙂
It will be stronger the more dried stevia. I like to use quite a bit of the plant and enough vodka to cover. That’s why it’s hard to give a measurement.
Have you ever tried a flavored vodka when making your stevia?
No, I haven’t!