Homemade Vanilla extract is incredibly easy to make and you only need 3 ingredients - Vanilla beans, vodka (or bourban) and time!
Its much more affordable than the organic vanilla extract from the store, and makes a fun gift!! I like making a large batch in 16 oz bottles like these linked here, and then pouring it into cute little bottles like these, with homemade lables and giving it out as Christmas, birthday, or housewarming gifts! Just plan ahead if gifting, as you would want to start a Christmas batch by June at the latest!
Some recipes will say add 2 beans to the bottle or jar, but I have found that the size of the beans varies greatly, so its better to weigh them with a kitchen scale like this one, for the right quantity. You want 1 oz of beans to every 8 oz of liquid.
You want a glass mason jar or bottle like these to start your extract in. There are many different types of vanilla beans like madagascar or Tahitian vanilla beans. If you click this link you will see which beans i use, and it will also show you some bottling options! Click here
Once your Vanilla extract is finished, you can remove the beans, or leave them in to crate a more complex flavor! Homemade vanilla is like the Apple scrap vinegar, where you can keep adding to it as you use it, for a never ending supply! To do that, pour some from the bottle once its finished in to a smaller bottle that you will use, and then add more alcohol to the large bottle with the beans to create more extract and put it back in the pantry!!
So excited to try this. Thank you for sharing! 🩷
Hi,
I have been following you and I have made several batches now of extract, the first being March 19th. 2024. I have used Hawaiian, Madasgcar, and Tahitian Beans, Vodka, Rum. I am now in the process of waiting, I’m pretty certain I have already printed your info, and the directions are pretty similar. I am going to be starting more to be sure and haven’t for gifts 🎁 for Christmas this year. Thank you again,
Linda
I can’t wait to try this. Thank you so much for sharing.