I use vanilla extract in a lot of my baking. Unfortunately, the cost of buying organic vanilla (over $8 for 4oz) is too expensive so I decided to make my own. This homemade vanilla extract taste delicious and makes a wonderful gift during the holiday season.
Vanilla extract is so easy to make and tastes soo much better than the extract you purchase from the store. The longer the extract sits with the vanilla beans, the better the flavor will be! This is a great time to start making vanilla extract because it will be ready to use by the holidays. Make sure to make enough to give to family and friends for Christmas!
PrintHomemade Vanilla Extract
Ingredients
- Jar or Flask
- Vanilla Beans
- Vodka, Rum or Bourbon (Any Type)
Instructions
- You will need approximately 1 vanilla bean for every 1/3 cup of alcohol. Carefully slice each vanilla bean open.
- Place vanilla beans into jars or flask. Pour appropriate amount of liquor over the vanilla beans.
- Close tightly and store in a cool dark place.
- Swish the bottles of vanilla once or twice a week. The vanilla extract will be ready to use within 4-6 months.
- You can remove the vanilla beans (I like to use them to make homemade vanilla ice cream) or leave them in the extract.
Last Updated on
Chantal
February 1, 2019 at 7:15 amThe other thing I do with vanilla bean skins after using the inside of the bean is place it in a container of organic sugar and let the flavour begin. You’ll have a nice vanilla sugar to add to any recipe or your coffee
CHERI
November 5, 2018 at 5:21 pmDoes it hurt to let it sit up to a year ?
★★★★★
The Coconut Mama
November 5, 2018 at 5:28 pmNope! It’ll last a very long.
Janet Layne
August 28, 2014 at 2:04 pmJust started my first batch. Can’t believe I’ve never thought of doing this before!
Sandra Harriette
September 27, 2013 at 10:51 amHelpful 🙂
Did you make those “Buy from Amazon” pictures?
Henry Higgins
July 31, 2013 at 7:11 pmIt may be worth noting that whiskey aged in oak barrels improves with age. There is a chemical interaction between the wood and the spirit. What happens is the wood releases vanillins. So…adding vanilla to a cheaper whiskey (or bourbon) will give it that smoother aged effect. Call it DIY Vanilla extract – or just a damn fine libation – you choose.
grannygs
July 19, 2013 at 7:40 pmI have been doing this for years and I use a pint of Vodka. I keep a small bottle of Mc Cormicks Vanilla for emergencies…like if I run out of my homemade one. I’ll be trying the Rum one next.
onyx
July 12, 2013 at 8:19 amHas anyone purchased the liquor in glass bottles and simply added the vanilla beans to the rum or bourbon bottles and at Christmas time placed in bottles that you want to gift in? Seems logical to me that this would work. But, so new to all of this.
Donna
November 4, 2018 at 5:56 amWhen you buy the “kit” it comes with stopper type bottles. I actually think you have a great idea here. I will try it also. Jim Bean vanilla is amazing and I don’t even like Jim Beam! D
Wendy Ray
July 10, 2013 at 4:29 pmI love making glycerine extracts of herbs and I can’t see any reason the method wouldn’t work great for a vanilla extract in glycerine. It would be MUCH faster to make, though it might not be quite as shelf stable (?).
I don’t have any vanilla beans yet, but the method is something like this: Combine equal parts distilled water and vegetable glycerine to about the amount you are making. I love using a pint jar for this. The alcohol recipe above uses 1 bean for every 1/3 C… I thought it would take more than that, but if 6 beans would make a pint that would be a great deal!
So, submerge your vanilla beans in the water/glycerine mixture and cover tightly. Place your closed jar in a crockpot. Fill the crockpot with water to the neck of your jar and turn on LOW for 2 to 4 days (I do 4) and leave the crockpot lid OFF. Replace evaporated water as needed and shake the jar vigorously at least twice a day.
Then strain and place in a dark glass bottle (or old empty vanilla containers or whatever you prefer).
I keep my glycerine extracts in my fridge, but I’ve read that’s not needed AND when I travel I just bring them and don’t worry about it, and they’ve always been fine. If they (the herbal extracts I have made) DO go bad (from kids sucking on the dropper or whatever), I KNOW it’s bad–it goes cloudy and slimy… but most I have used (purchased or homemade) have done great for even years in the fridge.
Glycerine extracts of stevia leaf are made with generally the same method and they don’t need refrigeration… glycerine being a preservative, so there’s no reason vanilla should need it either, unless there is too much water in my method.
Wendy
July 10, 2013 at 4:32 pmIn glycerine, vanilla would actually taste just yummy in things you’re not heating, like smoothies.
Liz Sugarman
July 6, 2013 at 6:37 pmhas anyone ever tried soaking in tequilla?
Dawn
June 24, 2013 at 4:20 pmDoes 4-6 months equate to the longer it sits the better/stronger the flavor?
Donna
November 4, 2018 at 5:58 amIt will just taste like the alcohol if u pull it too soon.
Lorie
June 19, 2013 at 4:55 amAnyone know of a vodka actually made from potatoes so it’s gluten free? I need GF vanilla extract :)))
Eford
June 19, 2013 at 9:13 amBlue Ice makes a potato vodka
http://www.blueicevodka.com/vodkas/american-potato-vodka/
Anne
June 25, 2013 at 11:23 amJ.A. Baczewski Vodka Monopolowa is distilled from potatoes
I have some vanilla beans soaking in this now.
only 6 weeks so still waiting to use it
I just went to the liquor store and scanned the shelves. Most are distilled from grain but a few were distilled from potatoes
Jackie
June 26, 2013 at 7:17 pmCold River Vodka (maine Maine) is distilled from Potatoes
arianna
March 15, 2014 at 5:38 pmPrairie Vodka is USDA certified organic, and made from CORN! I am gluten free and it works, there are also many more options but I like Prairie the best because of the taste and it’s certified, works well with tinctures and other mixes!
daynateachespiano
June 18, 2013 at 9:32 amI made my last batch with Rum 😛 I’m getting ready to try another with Vodka to see which I like better!