Homemade Vanilla Extract for Gifting
Servings: 10 Bottles
Make rich homemade vanilla extract with vanilla beans and vodka, plus an optional splash of bourbon or brandy. This easy large-batch recipe makes ten 8-ounce bottles—perfect for holiday gifts.
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Equipment
- Ten clean 8-ounce glass bottles with tight-fitting lids
- Sharp paring knife
- Small funnel, optional
Ingredients
- 40 whole vanilla beans
- 70-75 ounces 80-proof unflavored vodka approximately
- 5-10 ounces bourbon or brandy optional
Instructions
- Using a sharp knife, split each vanilla bean lengthwise, leaving the ends intact.
- Place 4 split vanilla beans in each 8-ounce bottle.
- If using bourbon or brandy, add ? to 1 ounce to each bottle. Fill with vodka, keeping the beans submerged and leaving a little headspace.
- Seal tightly and shake gently.
- Store in a cool, dark place for at least 8 weeks, shaking about once a week. The vanilla flavor will continue to develop with additional time.
Notes
For Christmas gifts, start by the end of October or earlier.
If giving the bottles before they have steeped for 8 weeks, add a “Ready to Use” date to the gift tag.
Clear bottles are pretty for gifting; just keep them out of direct light while the extract steeps.
You can leave the vanilla beans in the bottle after the extract is ready, and top it off with more vodka as you use it.
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