Have you seen the prices of vanilla extract recently!? Well I did, and it forced me to try doing something I had seen awhile back but never tried, and thats make my own vanilla extract at home using organic vodka and organic vanilla beans. Its crazy simple, and now I’m trying to figure out why all of us have been buying it to begin with!?

You do need to note that its not an overnight process. In fact, it takes at least six months, and if you have the time its best to wait 8 months. But once you get your first batch going you can pour half off of your finished vanilla, and add more vodka to your bottle with the beans in it to make successive batches, further adding to the cost effectiveness.

I love to make a large batch and then pour it into little bottles with handmade labels and it give away as gifts at Christmas or for birthdays. They also make great housewarming gifts. If you plan to use this as a gift idea, make sure to plan ahead (your Christmas vanilla should be started in may!).

Its also a fun gift project to give to your friends that love cooking and diy. You could put all of the necessary ingredients along with a cute empty bottle in a basket with instructions on “how to”. I linked everything you need for this idea here!

There are a lot of recipes out there that call for a specific quantity of vanilla beans, but its important to note that not all beans are the same size. Instead its important to use this equation instead. You want to use 1 oz of vanilla beans for every 8 oz of alcohol. With the organic Madagascar vanilla beans I use I have to use quite a few because they tiny, so its important to measure by weight with a kitchen scale like this.

Deciding on whether to use vodka or bourbon? If you want a more pure vanilla flavor, use vodka as it has a more neutral taste. Bourbon adds a richer more complex flavor with hints of caramel and oak.

Here is what you need:

Vodka or bourbon of choice. I use Belvedere Vodka because its organic.

Vanilla beans. I use Organic Madagascar Vanilla Beans. I have listed some options here.

Clean glass bottle or jars. I have linked some great options for these!

Kitchen Scale

To Make:

Gather all ingredients and supplies. Vanilla Beans, alcohol, bottles.

Prepare beans by slicing them longways down the middle of each one. This opens them up to release their flavor into the extract. If your beans are longer than the bottle is tall, then cut them in half so that the entire bean is submerged.

Place your beans in the bottle, and fill with alcohol. Place lid on the bottle and give a good shake. Store in a dark cupboard or pantry for at least 6 months. You can give it a little shake once in awhile.

Use your patience. It takes at least 6 months for the vanilla beans to turn the alcohol into extract. Once it is finished you can pour off the entire amount into another bottle without the beans and discard, or you can pour off half of the extract into a bottle to use and refill the bottle with remaining extract and beans to let sit again. The second batch will come together quicker with the original extract mixed in.

Homemade Vanilla Extract

Ingredients

1 oz Vanilla Beans
8 oz Vodka or Bourbon

Instructions

Gather Ingredients

All you need is a glass bottle or jar with a tight lid, vodka or bourban, and vanilla beans like these.
You want to use 1 oz of vanilla beans for every 8 oz of alchohol.

Prepare the beans

Depending on where you get your beans, they will be different sizes. If they are longer than the jar or bottle is tall, then cut them in half or to appropriate size so that they are fully submerged in the bottle. Slice them lengthwise down the the middle as well to expose more of the inside of the bean.

Bottle

Place your beans into your bottle and fill with vodka or bourbon. Make sure the beans are fully submerged in the liquid. Twist cap on tighly and store in a dark room temperature location for 6-12 months. Shake 1-2 times a week.

Use your patience

It takes about 6-12 months for the vanilla beans to magically turn the alcohol into vanilla extract. After 6 months most of the extraction is finished, but the longer you wait, the stronger the flavor will be.

Notes

You can remove the beans once you think its finished, or you can leave them in for a more complex flavor. You can also pour a portion into another bottle to start using, and then add more alcohol to the bottle with the beans to keep making more and have a continual supply!