Homemade Vanilla Extract



 I've been writing this vanilla extract post since I purchased the vanilla bean pods!  Had I known how incredibly easy it was to make my own vanilla extract I would have been caking this stuff for years!

It's a wrap! I will never ever, ever, in the history of ever purchase store vanilla extract. I mean it is SO FREAKING easy to make a better quality at home! Vanilla Beans, Vodka, 6 weeks. Yeah. That's it.

The flavor and smell and richness is far superior to anything I have purchased and let me tell you I have bought some expensive vanilla extracts in my time.

There are no additives in the homemade version, just likka and vanilla bean pods! The REALLY awesome thing about making vanilla extract at home besides cost and flavor is that you can continue to top the vodka off for a near endless vanilla extract stash!

I used Tahitian beans for this batch but I will be experimenting with other varieties and with Bourbon in addition to the vodka. Most vanilla extract recipes use vodka as it has a "clean" flavor.



Week 1



Week 2



What you need:

• 1 Liter Vodka
• 1 dozen vanilla bean pods (I purchased mine from Bean.illa.com)
• At least 6 weeks

What to do:

• Pour off about 1/2 cup of the vodka (By "pour off" I mean make a drink, take a couple of shots...by all means DO NOT waste good likka!! LOL)
• Run a sharp knife up each vanilla pod careful not to cut through the pod and keeping the ends intact
• Place all the pods in the vodka, close and give it a good shake
• Store the vodka in a cool, dark, dry place
• Give the extract a good shake once a week until set
• When your extract gets low simply fill with more vodka, shake and store