How To Make Homemade Vanilla Extract: {Recipes & Tips}

This homemade brew is very easy to make and can be stored away in the pantry for your own use (and never run out again!) but also keep a batch on hand for gift-giving, they’ll be very appreciated! All that’s needed is alcohol (such as vodka or brandy), vanilla beans and glass jars or bottles.
Quick Tip: Try experimenting with different beans (ie. Madagascar & Tahitian) to sample all the flavor notes each type has to offer, even try mixing one or two different types in the same jar.
Ready to get started? You’ve hit the jackpot with this page! I have a collection of recipes and tutorials to help guide you along the way as well as a section of tips and frequently asked questions at the bottom.
First, here are three quick & easy methods:

1. Place one bean into a pint of vodka. Shake daily for two weeks.
2. Scrape the seeds from three beans and add them to a bottle of dark rum, add the pods as well. Let sit for three weeks, shaking occasionally.
3. Pour 1/2 cup vodka or white tequila into small saucepan, and heat until it smokes but isn’t boiling. Break 2 beans into pieces and place into jar. Pour the alcohol over top and cover tightly. Let sit for a week, shaking frequently.

A more detailed tutorial:

• Split 7 beans end-to-end with a sharp knife. Add these to a .750 liter (1/5) bottle of rum, vodka, everclear, scotch, brandy, or alcohol of choice.
• Let stand for three to four weeks before using.
• When bottle is 1/4 full add three to four more beans and more alcohol.
• Let stand for another week before using.
• Seeds may float in the syrupy liquid but unless the finished product is being given as a gift, don’t remove them–they only add to the flavor.
• Use one-forth to one-third the amount called for in most recipes as this has a very strong flavor.
• The beans are good as long as a vanilla scent is present. Once the scent is lost, discard and replace with fresh ones. They can also be removed from the alcohol base and either scraped or chopped then used in place of the extract (for stronger flavor). Or you can remove them from the alcohol, dry each thoroughly and stick them into a canister of sugar to infuse their flavor.

Traditional Method:
(Yields 8-ounces)
1/2-pint Vodka
4 Vanilla beans
Seal tight jar or container
Decorative bottle

• Pour vodka into container.
• Using a sharp kitchen knife, cut a lengthwise slit down the middle of each bean.
• Cut them into 1/2-3/4 inch pieces then add to container and shake.
• Wait and shake. It will take 30-days for the brew to mature. Once each day, vigorously shake the container for 30-seconds.
• Once the 30-day cycle has finished, strain the liquid through a colander or coffee filter and place in decorative bottle.

(Yields 8-ounces)
1 cup Brandy
1 whole vanilla bean

• Place items into seal-tight container.
• Wait. It will take 3-weeks to cure properly.
• Pour into decorative bottle.

Another Way:

• Start with 1 cup of vodka, brandy, or real extract.
• Add 2-3 Tablespoons of corn syrup, stir or shake to dissolve.
• Finely chop 3 or more pods (depending on strength desired); add to bottle.
• Store in a cool place; stir or shake occasionally to mix ingredients.
• As the contents are used, top it up occasionally with additional liquid (vodka, brandy, or extract) and a bit more corn syrup; about once a year add a couple more finely chopped pods.

• Stronger: Use a high proof of alcohol and scrape the seeds from the bean.
• Weaker: Use a lesser proof of alcohol and soak beans intact.
• To strain for storage: Use a very fine strainer, coffee filter, or paper towel.
• Vodka usually gives the highest alcohol content. Brandy adds additional flavor which some folks may or may not prefer.
• Corn syrup or sugar helps infuse and develop the flavor from the pods (corn syrup dissolves more easily).
• Using a variety of pods (Madagascar, Indonesia, Tahitian, Mexican) will produce a brew with a much more complex taste and aroma. Try using Madagascar as a base, adding Tahitian and Mexican for additional fragrance notes.
• Shake container before each use. Small flecks will be in the liquid and provide additional flavor. Dark flecks in light-colored food may also appear, to avoid this, don’t shake the jar.
• Occasionally spoon out some of the mass of pods that settle to the bottom of the jar for when a very intense taste is desired (to use in things like ice cream or butter/vanilla pretzel cookies).
• Have a brew jar always on the go and every summer make sure it’s topped up so you’ll have enough on hand for holiday baking.
• The shelf life of pure extract is indefinite and it’s highly unlikely you’ll ever see an expiry date on it (for both purchased and homemade varieties). Since there is such a high alcohol content, it won’t spoil or harbor bacteria like other pantry items. In fact, it develops better as it ages! Careful storage does help preserve it, keep it in a cool, dark spot so the taste doesn’t deteriorate (that’s why many different brands are sold in dark bottles).