Anise has various uses and benefits. It can be applied to the skin to treat conditions like lice, scabies, and psoriasis. In the culinary world, anise is a flavoring agent, adding its sweet and aromatic taste resembling black licorice. It is commonly found in alcohols and liqueurs like anisette and ouzo.
Pure anise extract can be used to infuse licorice flavor into dishes and as a substitute for anise seeds in recipes. To make your own anise extract, you only need two ingredients: alcohol and anise seeds! Let’s look at how it’s done.
Choosing the Right Ingredients for Your Homemade Anise Extract
Anise seeds can be found in the spice section of grocery stores and specialty spice shops. When purchasing, opt for seeds with a robust licorice aroma and a future best-by date of two to three years. Can’t find anise seeds? Fennel seeds can be used as a substitute, but the flavor will not be as intense. I couldn’t find anise seeds, so I had to use fennel for this recipe.
Vodka is the preferred choice for DIY extracts due to its neutral taste and high alcohol content, which ensures long-lasting potency. However, if you desire a sweeter alternative, like brandy or rum, those can be used as well! I typically use vodka with an alcohol percentage of 40, equivalent to 80 proof, for a more flavorful extract.
Step-By-Step Guide to Making Anise Extract at Home
Get these ingredients ready:
- 100 ml of vodka (or bourbon can work too)
- 1 tbsp of anise Seeds (1 tbsp per 100 ml of vodka)
Step 1: Find a clean container with a tight lid, like a small jar.
Step 2: Put 1 tbsp of Anise Seeds at the bottom of the jar.
Step 3: Pour 100 ml of vodka into the jar, covering the anise seeds.
Step 4: Seal the jar tightly and keep it in a cool, dark place for at least 2 weeks, shaking daily. For a stronger taste, let it sit for 1-3 months. The liquid will darken over time.
Step 5: You can remove the herbs after a few months if you like, but it’s not necessary.
Step 6: Always seal the jars properly after using to ensure the extracts last at least a year at room temperature.
Do I Have to Use Alcohol to Make Extracts?
One big advantage of using vodka is that it doesn’t have any smell or taste, which lets the authentic flavor of anise come through. It also helps preserve the herbal properties and stops bacteria from growing. This makes the product more stable than alcohol-free glycerites. If you want a non-alcoholic option, just replace the alcohol in any extract recipe with a mix of three parts food-grade liquid glycerin and one part water. Make sure to mix the two ingredients well before you continue with the recipe.
Tips For Storing and Using Your Homemade Anise Extract
To keep your extract fresh, it’s essential to store it correctly. Make sure to tightly close the bottle when you’re not using it and keep it in a cool, dry place to prevent the alcohol from evaporating. Avoid exposing the extract to heat, humidity, direct sunlight, or bright fluorescent lights, as this can affect its taste and color.
When storing extracts, oils, or other liquids, dark glass bottles are recommended. They protect against UV light, which is especially good for light-sensitive products. Also, the small opening of these jars makes it easier to pour accurately.
How to Adjust Your Anise Extract’s Strength
Keep the extract in a cool and dark place without disturbing it for at least two months. The longer it sits, the stronger its flavor will become. Remember to shake the jar every week or as often as you can remember.
Other Recipes:
How To Make Your Own Almond Extract
How To Make Strawberry Extract
Watch the Video Version
FAQs
Anise extract can stay fresh for a few years if stored properly. But once you open it, the flavor and quality will start to decline after six months to a year, so we suggest using yours within this time.
Yes, but I wouldn’t recommend it! It is high in alcohol and will taste of very strong licorice.
Anise has many medicinal uses. Its seeds (fruit) and oil, sometimes the root and leaf, are used in herbal remedies. Anise helps with stomachaches and gas, and it can also help with a runny nose. If you have a cough, it can make you cough up phlegm. Anise also makes you pee more and can make you hungry.
Homemade Anise Extract: A DIY Guide
Ingredients
Instructions
Get these ingredients ready:
- 100 ml of vodka (or bourbon can work too)
- 1 tbsp of anise Seeds (1 tbsp per 100 ml of vodka)
Step 1: Find a clean container with a tight lid, like a small jar.
Step 2: Put 1 tbsp of Anise Seeds at the bottom of the jar.
Step 3: Pour 100 ml of vodka into the jar, covering the anise seeds.
Step 4: Seal the jars tightly and keep them in a cool, dark place for at least 2 weeks, shaking daily. For a stronger taste, let them sit for 1-3 months. The liquid will darken over time.
Step 5: You can remove the herbs after a few months if you like, but it’s not necessary.
Step 6: Always seal the jars properly after using to ensure the extracts last at least a year at room temperature.
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