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Making vanilla extract at home is so incredibly easy and only requires 2 ingredients: vanilla beans and vodka. The quality of taste is superior and once you realize how much cheaper it is to make it yourself, you’ll never want to buy it from the store again. I’ve given bottles out as holiday gifts for the past couple years and they’ve been a huge hit! If you plan on gifting these for the holidays, you’ll want to make them by end June so they have a full 6 months to complete the extraction process, so now is a great time to get started! This post will provide you with everything you need to know to set youreslf up for success.
Everything you’ll need:
- Organic Vanilla Beans: For good quality vanilla extract, you want good quality vanilla beans. Whichever ones you do get, just make sure they’re Grade A. Vanilla actually contains a variety of health benefits, mainly due to the active compound, vanillin, which has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anticancer, and neuroprotective properties.
- 80 Proof Vodka: Any cheap vodka will work fine, so long as it’s at least 80 proof (40% ABV).
- 8 oz. Amber Glass Bottles (optional, but recommended): You can use any clean bottle to make vanilla extract in, but amber bottles will protect the extract from oxidization from UV light, which ruins the quality of taste over time.
Cost Breakdown:
- 25-pack vanilla beans = $25 ($1 per bean)
- Half gallon vodka = $25 (~$3.13 per 8 oz. bottle)
- 12-pack 8 oz. amber bottles = $22 (~$1.83 per 8 oz. bottle)
- Total per 8 oz. bottle (w/ 6 beans) = ~$11
- Cost for organic 8 oz. store-bought bottle = $20-40
How does the extraction process work?
Extracts are made by combining plant material with a distilled spirit. The alcohol acts as a solvent and draws out, or extracts, the flavor and chemical components of the plant. After several months, what you’re left with is a solution that contains all the desired active compounds of the sourced plant.
Below is a step-by-step guide to making this pure vanilla extract, with a full recipe summary and measurements at the bottom of the page.
Step 1:
Slice open the vanilla bean pods, lengthwise, to expose the tiny beans. Then, you’ll need to cut the pods in half so they fit into the bottles.
Step 2:
Add 4-6 beans to an 8 oz. bottle and fill with vodka. Seal it tightly.
Note: The more beans, the more concentrated the flavor of the extract.
Step 3:
Store the bottle on a cool, dark shelf and let it sit for 6 months to complete the extraction process. Shake it regularly.
The extract will stay good for years with the vanilla beans submerged, and indefinitely if they’re removed. As long as it still smells good, it should be good to use! To get the most out of the beans, you can add more vodka and keep extracting until the flavor subsides. The timeline for this will vary based on how many beans per bottle and how often it’s used. If you try making this recipe and like how it turns out, share it with a friend and comment down below. I always love to hear your feedback!
Homemade Vanilla Extract
Ingredients
- 4-6 vanilla beans
- 8 oz. vodka
Instructions
- Slice vanilla bean pods open, lengthwise, to expose the beans. Cut the pods in half and fit them into an 8 oz. amber glass jar.
- Fill the jar with 80 proof vodka and seal it tightly.
- Store the bottle on a cool, dark shelf for 6 months to complete the extraction process. Shake it regularly.
