I absolutely love vanilla extract! Talk about a fun, easy and delicious homemade gift idea! Organic vanilla extract can be quite spendy at the store, and with these cute jars you cannot go wrong in blessing family and friends and your own kitchen cupboard. I made 6 (4 oz bottles) this last weekend and they are steeping away nicely in my cupboard ready for Christmas baskets. Here’s how I did it:
Supplies:
6 Vanilla Beans
6 (4 oz jars)
24 oz. vodka
I purchased the vanilla beans and recycled glass cork top bottles from Mountain Rose Herbs. The vanilla beans are sold by the 1 oz (which is 6-9 beans) for $9.00, making it about $1-1.50 per bean. The jars were $1.60 each. I purchased the vodka at my local liquor store for $10 for 750 ml (which I figured out is about 26 oz). So you are looking at less than $5 per 4 oz jar, compared to easily double that amount at your local health food store. And with reusable glass jars, you can save even more with future batches (if you are making it for yourself, that is). The beans smelled fabulous! I cut them down the center with scissors and then into 2 inch pieces and put them in the jars. I then filled each jar with vodka and put the top on! That’s it! You must steep them for 8 weeks. Once you have used half the jar, you can refill the jar to the top with more vodka to stretch it even more! Make sure to make a note of this when you send it for gifts. You can also save room to sweeten with a 3/4 tsp of rum per bottle after it has steeped.
You can also use this recipe and steep them altogether, but since I was in a rush getting them ready for Christmas, I chose to steep them individually, so I could send them on their way.
Aren’t they adorable? I just have to make a cute little label tag to go with them! That’s more natural living on a budget for you!
where do you get the vanilla bean …. I am in Idaho and it is not plentiful
Hi Lindsay. I have really enjoyed making this recipe for the last year. I always use it in my baked goods, but I don’t care for the flavor in anything unbaked, i.e. ice cream. Do you have the same problem? I was considering using a less concentrated version. I know the things in the store are diluted quite a bit. Do you think it would work if I diluted this with 50/50 water & alcohol, or maybe 75/25?
Thanks for your help.
Shannon
Hi Lindsay. I have been using this recipe for a while and just love it! I am only using it in baking recipes that will cook out the alcohol. I want to use it in things I don’t cook, such as homemade ice cream. When I have tried it in uncooked things, it leaves a funny taste. Have you encountered this problem? I was looking for possible solutions and thought I could dilute the alcohol with water to 50/50 or even 75/25 water to alcohol. What do you think? In the stores, I know the amount of alcohol used is a much lower percentage.
Thanks for your advice!
I’m having a hard time figuring out which bottles to order from Mountain Rose. The only cork top one (that I can see) says that it holds 2-3 ounces of liquid, but didn’t yours hold 4 oz? The other bottles listed have metal lids. I just want to make sure I get the ones in your picture, they’re adorable!
When you add the 2nd round of vodka do you need to let it sit for a few weeks again or can you keep using it? Thanks so much for this recipe. Super excited to try it!
I just keep using it.
I finally made this. I start and stumble, last year I mistakenly ordered salve jars (good for holding homemade spices) and this year I triple checked the order and pulled it together. Still late, no one can use it to make their holiday cookies because it needs 6 more weeks to steep, but the jars and the whole set up are lovely. The first week they sat on my counter in a row, then when we had child company, I moved them to a cabinet where they are all lined up. thanks for the inspiration and links to the cutest, best priced bottles ever.
maybe I’m dumb – we don’t drink alcohol in our household so I’m not familiar with vodka or rum. Is there always alcohol in vanilla extract? I’m assuming it cooks or bakes out….just curious.
Hey, I’m pretty sure there is. All of the vanilla extracts at the store have alcohol in them. But realize that you only use a teaspoon in most things, like say pancakes, so that’s 1 teaspoon divided into 10 pancakes or so. Even if some alcohol doesn’t cook out, it’s a miniscule amount. And you might even be able to use less with homemade vanilla extract because it will be stronger since you can let it steep for a long time with the vanilla beans.
Love this idea! I made one bottle last year for myself and this year will try out the mini-bottles for gifting. My recipe is the same as yours except I use Rum instead of Vodka. The end result is the same. I plan to give these with a little recipe card tied to the neck for vanilla cream scones, and also include a jar of jam (for the scones, if they bake them.)
I started mine last night. I used (6) 6 oz. bottles. I added one and 1/3 vanilla bean to each. Is that enough vanilla bean? I also left enough room to add rum at the end of steeping. Thanks, I’m so excited to give these as gifts for Christmas.
Do you have to scrape the seeds out of the vanilla beans?
No.
I made one test batch a few months ago, and it was wonderful! So easy and produces a much more flavorful extract than any store bought version. I’m making another batch today for Christmas gifts…exactly 8 weeks away! Thanks for sharing your recipe!
Hi,
I was wondering how many vanilla beans do you put in each bottle? Thanks
Hey! I had a quick question before I attempted to make this. While researching recipes for homemade extracts I noticed a lot of them said to take the vanilla bean out of the extract after the 8 weeks of steeping were done. It looks like you leave them in. Am I assuming right that you leave them in?
Thank you for your time!
You can do it either way. Leaving it in allows you to replenish the vodka when the bottle is half gone – thus extending the life of the vanilla beans!
Thank you!
I am finally going to make these! I’m super excited.
I’m really glad I have found this info. Today bloggers publish only about gossips and web and this is actually annoying. A good website with exciting content, this is what I need. Thank you for keeping this website, I will be visiting it.
need to figure out how many ounces of vanilla you can make from a bottle of vodka, check out this conversion calculator
http://www.metric-conversions.org/volume/liters-to-us-ounces.htm
Hi Lindsay! I am really excited to make these for Christmas gifts this year! I was wondering if you know how the 4 oz. cork lid bottles from Mountain Rose Herbs will ship? I have a lot of family in different states that I was hoping to gift these to, but worried they might not survive in the mail. :/
Yah..I’d recommend a plastic option instead unless you have lots of bubble rap!
I found out ‘why’ Rum would be used to sweet it, look what it is made from….
Vodka is manufactured from ethyl alcohol. Brandy is from wine/fermented fruit juice. Rum is from sugar cane extract. (source from ChaCha site)
So, would vodka or brandy be best for the vanilla extra? would the vanilla cover up the vodka or brandy taste, it would matter which I picked? I’ve tasted/drunk either (or any alcohol for that matter). Maybe the deciding factor will be which ever is the cheapest.
you mentioned in the recipe you could use rum to sweeten, after it has steeped.
this source that sells the beans, has a recipe that uses brandy.
http://www.olivenation.com/item-84/Bourbon-madagascar-vanilla-beans.asp
I have no idea the differences of rum, brandy or vodka. How to pick which to use to make vanilla extract? that would be the only reason I’d have rum, brandy or vodka in my house.
If I open a bottle of rum, brandy or vodka to make a batch of vanilla extract, will any of the un-used rum, brandy or vodka keep okay til I need to refill my 1/2 empty bottle of extract?
A funny story
I planned on following this fabulous recipe you posted but had to wait until my vanilla beans arrived. Just this week I was able to go to the store to buy vodka. Since I don’t normally frequent liquor stores I was completely unprepared for the vast collection of vodka to choose from. Yikes! I had no idea what I was supposed to get. After a quick call to my husband I bought the cheap vodka. Tonight I had time to look up the recipe again and saw that you and I bought the exact same vodka! Whew! And I was so concerned about getting the “right” kind.
Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. I am following this recipe, making bottles of vanilla for Christmas gifts. They have been steeping for seven weeks, and I have 2 concerns: 1) The color is not getting very dark. I would expect it to be black/opaque by now, but it is still a transparent amber. 2) There appear to be bits of the vanilla beans floating about. I am concerned the recipients would think it looks like dirt. Please let me know if this is normal or what I should do. Do you think they will darken in the next 2 weeks? Thanks!
It doesn’t get really dark. The amber color may be just right. I best thing to do is strain and re-pour it into the containers before giving to the recipient if you have floaties. But I am sure you can reassure them that it is only vanilla beans and not dirt. Lastly, do a taste test!
Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. I am following this recipe, making bottles of vanilla for Christmas gifts. They have been steeping for six weeks, and I have 2 concerns: 1) The color is not getting very dark. I would expect it to be black/opaque by now, but it is still a transparent amber. 2) There appear to be bits of the vanilla beans floating about. I am concerned the recipients would think it looks like dirt. Please let me know if this is normal or what I should do. Do you think they will darken in the next 3 weeks? Thanks!
Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. I am following this recipe, making bottles of this vanilla for Christmas gifts. They have been steeping about six weeks, and I have 2 concerns: 1) the color is not getting very dark. I would expect it to be close to black/opaque by now, but it still a light amber color. 2) There appear to be little bits of the vanilla beans floating about in the bottles. I am concerned it would look like dirt to the recipients. Please let me know if this is supposed to happen and if I can expect the vanilla to darken in the next 3 weeks. Many thanks, Jude
Any tips on labels for the bottles? Also, I know I’ve read other sites that say to use dark amber glass jars, not clear. Did you read that anywhere too? I suppose we usually keep the bottle in the cupboard anyway, so maybe it’s not such a big deal.
Thanks! I’m hoping to bless some family and friends with these this Christmas!
You can get some labels from your local officemax or office depot and print them out and stick them out. Or you can hand print a cute card and hole punch a corner and attach around the top with ribbon. Ideally, dark amber glass bottles, but it is stored in a cupboard so I don’t think it is a problem.
Wow wow wow! I would have never thought to make homemade vanilla extract let along how too! How did you know to use vodka and the portions? Wonderful!!! Have you tried other extracts like peppermint or almond??
I found other recipes online and tweeked to fit out needs and size of jars. I have not tried any other extracts as of yet.
Hi Lindsay. I am getting ready to try this for the first time and have read all the posts. Since this was last year, just wondering how it turned out? Were you happy with the results? Have you since tried it with Brandy or added a little Rum to the Vodka mixuture? Also, do you know if it is white Rum or spiced Rum that you use?
Thanks for your help.
It was delicious! I highly recommend it! Thus far I have only use the vodka since I had such great results.
Who knew vanilla extract was so heavy on the vodka? Wow!
Who knew vanilla extract was so heavy on the vodka? Wow!
i was wondering if i could use coco bean to make chocolate exact (liquor) ?, instead of vanilla exact. Could i do the same thing with volka and rum? I just love chocolate! ;-P its yummy
There are recipes all over google for homemade chocolate liquor. Check them out!
I have a bottle of homemade vanilla in my cupboard. I use brandy, though. I like the deep flavour it gives. If I happen upon some Tahitian beans again, I’ll try them with vodka. Their flavour is more floral and delicate, apparently, so the vodka will let that come through.
Is it necessary to sterilize the jars? Is just a good washing with hot water and detergent sufficient. Thank you.
I honestly just rinsed them out for vanilla extract.
the vodka should do most of the sanitary work for you.
I love the idea. I went to mountian rose website to order the beans and glass jars and the shipping was around $14. So I plan on looking closer to home to buy. Love you blog and all the ideas.
A great idea! I wish I had seen this earlier. I’m gonna do this though and give as birthday presents. Thanks for a great gift idea.
I always prefer to make my vanilla extract with either brandy or bourbon. What I do is scrape the beans clean and put that in a tin to add to various things. Then I take the remaining pieces of scraped bean, cut them up, and put them in a jar with a lid. As soon as I have enough, I pour brandy or bourbon over it all until it’s about 1-2 inches over the beans. Once you have that started, it’s usually easiest to just add fresh bean pieces as you have them and add more brandy or bourbon when it gets low (about half way gone).
I find that when you do it this way, you have the strongest vanilla tincture possible and it’s just as strong or stronger than a commercial preparation. Then I just divide it into small, pretty bottles for gift giving to the select few I know will appreciate it.
I really quite like your blog, btw! I thought I’d somehow stumbled onto my own future blog, but alas, pictures of people who are not my family told me it wasn’t.
Mrs. Yoder
Probably a dumb question but can you just pour a little into homemade yogart? Meaning with the alcohol, is it safe for kids?
All vanilla extracts and extracts in general are steeped with alcohol, but they lose most of the alcoholic content through the steeping process. When used in small portions, you really have nothing to fear.
Sounds great. I’ll have to check into the cost comparison because here on the island vanilla extract is made locally and sold at a very reasonable price. I love the idea of making it myself though so I’ll definitely be doing my research.
Now I’m wondering about the almond question Tami asked. I’m going to google it. We have almonds falling off the trees around here and not many people pay much attention to them except those who sell them.
Thanks for the post! Have you heard of this done with almonds? I like to use almond extract in a lot of my baking. Thanks!
I was doing some “stumbling” and stumbled upon your site. I gave it a thumbs up and subscribed! Look forward to reading more from you!
now that im thinking, could this be done with say, pepermint? or orange rinds? ect ect? this could be a really awesome lil gift pack… oh this was a bad stumble for me…
Thanks for sharing this great recipe for making vanilla and the gift idea as well!
I love your vanilla extract idea and am going to start making some as soon as i buy some jars on friday!
FYI: Glory Bee Foods in Eugene, Oregon sells vanilla beans 1oz for about $3 and 2oz for about $5!
I have a question about refilling the bottle with vodka after it is half empty. Do you have to let it steep another 8 weeks again?
I am not sure. This is the first time I have done it. I personally will just judge by tasting the strength of the vanilla.
This is such a GREAT idea . . I LOVE it! After you’ve used half the jar and refilled it, does it have to steep again? Or is it ready for use immediately?
What a sweet gift idea! I’m trying to put together more “nourishing” gifts this year, and this vanilla would make a wonderful addition. Thanks so much for the idea!
love it! i gotta do this!
Is this a dumb question:
Does the vodka turn dark like the store variety or stay clear?
No, it becomes dark as it steeps. The vanilla beans make it dark brown just like the store bought variety.
Hehehe not a dumb question Mandy, I was going to ask the same thing as mine went dark very quickly! Thanks!
I like this idea and know people who like to bake, but what is in the rest of the basket?
I was thinking baking ingredients, but the recipients have their own nice and special recipes, so I’m not sure that is a great idea.
thanks.
I am just adding this to a gift basket for some of my family and will include other homemade food items (some canned goods, and homemade baked goods).
i can’t wait to try this recipe! i usually spend about $6 on organic vanilla extract at the store.
Flat out Cool! I was pondering making batches of vanilla sugar, but we really don’t use white sugar anymore and were very conflicted about giving white sugar to others, even if it has been fancy-fied
But this? This is great!
I am becoming your biggest copy*cat! I love your blog! It’s a ‘must read and re-read every day’ for me! Thank you so much for all the inspiration! You teach me how to do things I never even thought of doing before! I am going to make vanilla extract now too.
)
We make this too – the best part is that you can just keep adding vanilla husks that you use for other things (like custards or ice creams) and make it stronger and better. The longer it sits, the better it will be!
I love it! I keep seeing this everywhere. I seriously must make some for myself and family. I go through a lot of vanilla extract for baking and ice cream. I need to get on with it
)
Going to do this thank you for all your inspriration!!!
This is the same exact way we make our vanilla! We LOOOVE it!
Hey Lindsay, you should check ebay for vanilla beans. I have consistently seen them for $30/250grams, some are organic, some are not. It would be a lot cheaper for you though.
Thanks for writing, I love reading your posts.
Is there anyway to make this without the vodka? I wouldn’t feel comfortable giving it (though I realize that alcohol is in a lot of things.) Maybe, vanilla sugar would be a good alternative?
Most flavored extracts are alcoholic based. I have only seen a non-alcoholic version sold at Trader Joe’s, but I don’t know how to make vanilla extract without it myself. You might look around some more on google.
If you want true blue vanilla extract, you have to use alcohol. That is what extracts the taste. When you cook with it, the alcohol will evaporate. Those “extracts” that use no alcohol would likely be extracted with chemicals.
We were fortunate enough to be able to buy organic vodka at the liquor store. I just started doing this about three weeks ago. It will be a lot cheaper for us then buying organic vanilla extract. I was reading that you could use brandy as well. Has anyone every experimented what was better?
You can make vanilla sugar very easily. Just cut the bean in half lengthwise and scrape out the seeds. Mix both the seeds and pods with sugar (try oganic, unrefined – sells for a little over $1/pound at the co-op by me). Store in a glass jar or other container. Let the flavor infuse for a few weeks, shaking every once in a while to make sure vanilla is evenly distributed.
As a tea-totaler, I understand the concerns you have. We do use cooking wines and extracts with alcohol. The amount of alcohol any one person gets in a recipe is minuscule. There is only a teaspoonful in a whole batch of cookies, for example.
This winter, I went ahead an bought the cheapest, bottom shelf (that’s where to look, BTW) vodka out military booze shop had and made a liter elderberry extract. I took one t. of it four times a day when I got a very bad cold — it’s scientifically tested flu remedy that stacks up to Tamiflu very well. We opted not to get shots. It is also supposed to prevent flu if you take a t./day. Since you need to begin right at the start of the illness, I took it as soon as I felt sick. I almost NEVER get colds. I felt really ODD buying it — almost guilty, but even the St. Paul told Timothy to take a little wine for his stomach, right? As genuine medicine, it’s fine. Well, that’s off topic. But the amount in cooking is tiny, so for me, it’s not a concern, even though we do not drink.
Want a cuppa tea? I have tons
Would you please share the elderberry extract recipe?
I had been making my own, but have a friend that travels to Texas frequently, near the border. They get the most amazing Mexican vanilla for an insanely cheap rate, but still fair to the people that make it.
Decided to give them money to buy me a giant bottle the next time they go!
It’s so much stronger and better than what I’ve made at home (and it was good too).
Yes, the Mexican vanilla is so good, and pretty potent! A friend brought me back 2 large bottles from his trip to see family.
But I would love to try this natural, homemade variety.
Lindsay, I wonder if your family members and close friends are thinking, “I hope I’m one of the six who’s getting THAT Christmas basket!”
Love it! I saw this idea also and wished I would have planned ahead better for Christmas gifts this year. I’m looking forward to doing it next year though. Do you have any idea where you can find vanilla beans locally?
Mountain Rose Herbs is pretty local to me. They are in Eugene, OR.
May I ask where you purchased your adorable jars?
I provided the link above. I purchased the beans and jars through Mountain Rose Herbs.
We have been making our own vanilla for about a year now. It is just so yummy! We let ours sit 2-4 months though each time. We also just throw all the beans in the vodka bottle and then pour it off when it is all done.
wow! I never would have guessed… vodka and rum!!!! How does it taste after the 8 weeks? Is it very similar to the store bought variety?
What a wonderful, wonderful idea! We go through vanilla extract like crazy in our house — especially during the holidays. This will be a wonderful addition to my list of “Handmade” instead of store bought. Thank you for sharing!
Here are 20 vanilla beans for $9 with no shipping.http://cgi.ebay.com/20-Vanilla-Beans-Sampler-Pack-Tahitian-Bourbon-Gr-A_W0QQitemZ230364156601QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item35a2c612b9
Thanks for the link. I didn’t realize making vanilla extract was so easy.
Lindsay, I have done this before, but thought you were supposed to scoop out the seeds. Is it better not to, or do you think it even matters?
I looked at several recipes online that used this method as I described. I did not come across any that talked about scooping out the seeds…so I am sure it is fine.
DON’T scoop out the seeds, that’s where most of the essence comes from…haven’t you seen the cooking shows where they scrape the seeds out and add the seeds to whatever dessert they are doing?
These are just precious – I’ll bookmark this so I can refer back to it when I’m ready to make my own
I learned how to do this a couple of years ago and have never had to buy vanilla from the store again! I love the gift idea too!