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{Holiday Neighbor Gift} Homemade Vanilla Extract

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I know, I know… It's still September and we are more worried about apple pie and getting ready for ghouls and goblins, but this fabulous neighbor gift takes some time to make. Homemade vanilla extract is not only elegant and refined, but simple to create for yourself. Don't be scared… it's not laborious hours pressing each and every vanilla bean.  All you have to do is make a simple concoction and then let is SIT. 

I have spent countless hours watching cooking show after cooking with the host always saying, "make sure you use only the best vanilla!"  For years I was perplexed.  How on earth am I supposed to know what the "best vanilla" is?  I have now found out… the best vanilla is the vanilla that you make yourself.  Here is what you will need…

  • Whole Vanilla Beans – I recommend ordering them online, it's way more cost effective.  I ordered mine from Beanilla Trading Company. I decided on the beans from Madagascar.
  •  
  • Vodka – I used the cheapest Vodka I could find. In all of my research, many people say it really doesn't matter. Now, here is the caveat… I don't drink so I don't really know the quality of my vodka vs. other kinds so if you know vodka better you may have more of a preference.

That's it… other than packaging, but I am going to save that post for another day.  Here is what you need to do.

First, you need to carefully slit your vanilla beans length wise starting just below the tip of the bean…

My beans were rather long so I also cut them in half.  Then all you need to do is add your beans to your vodka.  Here is the ratio to follow…

2 large vanilla beans to 1 cup of vodka

If your beans tend to be on the puny side, I would use 3 beans per cup of vodka.  Place your split beans in your liquid, seal and then store in a cool, dark place like a pantry. 

Give it a good shake every few days and after 2-3 months you will have a lovely homemade vanilla. Obviously, the longer you let it sit,it will become darker and more developed.  After your desired amount of time run your new vanilla through a strainer and a couple of layers of cheese cloth and then package it up. 

I am planning on keeping a bottle for myself and then packaging some fun bottles to give away to family and friends for the holidays! 

Here is my cost breakdown…

  • Vodka – $1.35 per cup
  • Vanilla Bean – $1.10 per bean
  • Bottle – $1.00

The bottles I am using hold about a cup of liquid so the total cost for one bottle is $4.55.  I will be generous and round up for other packaging needs like printing, fabric, bottle embellishments and such and I will say my total is, $5.00!  Not bad for an elegant and thoughtful gift for family, friends, teachers and such for the holidays!!

For all of the information on bottles and packaging click here to visit the How to Package your Homemade Vanilla post!

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  4. I’ve done this for years now and love it. I don’t strain, just use all those yummy vanilla seed that happen to come out while pouring. I also have to say “YOU HAVE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL LABELS ON YOURS”

    Reply

  13. This was already on my to do list for next week! I was going to check out Ikea to see what kind of bottles they have and maybe even the dollar store. Can’t wait for the packaging and label ideas!

    Reply

  17. Thanks so much for this idea….I will definitely be making some of this for Christmas gifts. My mom will LOVE this….she is one of those that always says “use the GOOD vanilla”! Thanks again!

    Reply

  19. I love this idea!

    I started my vanilla in July, it was my first post to get linked up to link parties, including here! {new to blogging}.

    I just sampled mine last week, it’s a good thing there are a few more months until Christmas, it’s ok now but it just keeps getting better!!!

    Reply

  24. WhipperBerry
    I am super excited about all the buzz about the Whipperberry DIY Vanilla post and I PROMISE to have a packaging post next week.

    However, in the mean time you can start your project by calculating how many vanilla beans you need for your bottle of vodka and then place the vanilla beans directly in the large bottle. This will make it easier when when you strain the liquid gold when you are finished and make bottling much easier. Let me know if you have any more questions!

    Reply

  25. Okay here comes the the ding dong because no one else has asked this question. Since you use Vodka does the alcohol ‘cook out’ when you bake? {stop laughing} 😉

    Reply

    • Not a ding dong question at all. If you look at the ingredients on the back of your normal store bought vanilla you will find that the primary ingredient in it as well. Yep, total surprise to me to. They make it the same way commercially too!
      kisses
      heather

      Reply

  31. What a wonderful gift – so fun to both give and to receive! I can’t remember the last time I bought a bottle of vanilla, as I’ve been doing this for years. My mom, who would never buy a bottle of vodka, just brings me her empty vanilla bottles for me to “brew” for her. 🙂 Looking forward to all the rest of your info for gift giving!

    Reply

  34. OK…I started my vanilla months and months ago…I just bottled the first batch..the next batch will be at the end of November….I thought I had a label picked out…UNTIL I SAW THIS!!!

    *notsopatientlywaitingfornextpost*

    Reply

  37. I’ve been looking through all of your posts… Where is the info on how to do the labels and where to buy the bottles?

    Reply

  41. Just wanted to say that the best price I found for ‘woozy’ bottles (which are the shape of yours 🙂 ) is from the Cape Bottle Co. < $2 each, shipped! (Only downside is you have to call to order… 888-833-6307)

    Reply

  42. I buy vanilla beans from ebay. I’ve used this seller several times. They are cheaper than anybody else, have good extract-grade beans (I can’t tell the difference in the grades of the beans), always gives you a little gift of extra beans, and has INTEGRITY (refunded me a couple of dollars because he was able to ship it cheaper than he thought).

    The seller is vanillaproducts. Here’s a link to his store: http://stores.ebay.com/Vanilla-Products-USA?_rdc=1

    Reply

  44. I’ve been making homemade Bourbon Vanilla Extract for years and though I have used vanilla in vodka, it was what I was using for drink concoctions. Why I never thought to let it develop more and become an extract is beyond me!

    Now, if only I can stop myself from drinking the vodka before its useable as an extract?

    Reply

  46. I love this! Devasted that I had no idea it could be DIY’d so simply. (I went my whole life without knowing and in the past week Ive seen this on multiple blogs) Im totally doing this next year.

    Gorgeous packaging too.

    Thanks for sharing.

    Reply

  47. Hi Heather:
    Thank you for such a wonderful post. I would have never have thought of making my own vanilla extract. This comes in very handy as my wonderful vanilla I purchased in Costa Rica is sadly almost over and I’m not going to Costa Rica anytime soon. But I wanted to ask, what happens to the alcoho? Does it evaporate? I don’t drink either and wouldn’t want to use alcohol in my cooking. Thank you!

    Reply

    • Sonia- great question! If you look on your regular vanilla that you purchase at any store, the main ingredient is alcohol. Also, your lovely Costa Rican vanilla was probably made by this same method. Any time you use an extract you are cooking or baking with alcohol. I’m not sure whether the alcohol fully bakes out, but we’ve all been using it for years so I wouldn’t worry about the homemade vanilla being any different.
      Thanks for a great question!
      kisses
      heather

      Reply

  49. Just have to share with you!! I bottled my vanilla last night and it smelled sooooo good!! I pulled out my bottle of McCormick and the difference in smell was amazing! I had my husband smell and he said the homemade smelled more natural. Thx for such a great idea!! I can’t wait to put the labels on. THANKS again xoxox

    Reply

    • Oh YAY!! I open my bottles every once in a while to just smell. It’s HEAVENLY isn’t it! We did the smell test too and their is NO comparison! Thanks so much for sharing…
      kisses
      heather

      Reply

  50. Is this photo vanilla after 2 months or longer? Mine seems much lighter after 2 months. Maybe needs to wait longer?

    Reply

  52. I have a question, to make one large batch and then divide it out later, can you just stick the vanilla beans directly into the vodka bottle. Then when the batch is “done”, pour them into individual bottles? Just curious if that works vs making individual bottles and letting them sit. Thanks!!!

    Reply

  53. I was just wondering how you made the label for the vanilla? It is adorable. I would love to recreate something like that!!

    Reply

  55. Hey Heather.
    Question. I started my homemade vanilla two months ago. Right amount of vanilla beans. Right amount of vodka. Great, cute bottles. But… the vanilla isn’t coming out as brown as yours is. Did you … ahem… enhance the color a little? Just wondering because I don’t drink and none of my friends do, either, so I want to be able to tell people, “It’s light because I didn’t add any color.”
    It’s been “working” for a bit more than two months now.

    Reply

  56. Looks like Stravinsky brand vodka. They may be cheap, but rivals and may even be better than some more expensive premium vodkas!

    Reply

  57. I have been using this method for making my vanilla for about 30 years. I have found that the better quality vodka makes a more flavorful vanilla. I like to age it at least 6 months before I use it. To give it color, I add a small amount of store bought vanilla to each bottle of vodka. Thanks for posting so others can enjoy.

    Reply

  58. This is gorgeous! I am so making these for Christmas. Thank you for sharing all the info and such inspiring photos. I just placed my order for the Madagascar Beans you recommended (excellent prices..and only $4 to ship it to Canada! What??!!) Mmmmm…this is going to wow some of the foodies in my life this December!

    Reply

  59. Hi Heather — I ordered enough beans to make 20-25 8oz bottles when done. Can I make it all up in a big container initially during the sitting period and then divide the finished vanilla into the smaller bottles when it’s done soaking? I need some time to find some ‘perfect’ bottles 🙂 Thanks!

    Reply

  60. So I’m a bit behind on this project and wondering what will happen if I run out of time to strain before gifting?

    Reply

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