Alright so this can sound intimidating but making vanilla extract is such an EASY process it’s not even funny!
First you need to get some vanilla beans. And I know what you’re thinking, where the heck do I get vanilla beans!? Order them online! You can also find them in your grocery store, but they will be cheaper online!
I try to find Grade A Madagascar Vanilla Beans, but you can also use Tahitian Vanilla Beans, these will just not be as strong and will take longer.
You’re going to take the vanilla beans and slice them down the middle from top to bottom, just enough so you’re exposing the middle of the bean. You don’t have to cut all the way through.
I use the quart size ball jars for this next part, but honestly you can just use the bourbon or vodka bottle if you plan on using the whole thing.
So next you’ll need either vodka or bourbon. The most commonly used is vodka, and that is what I used for this last batch. It is also easy to tell when it’s ready without opening the bottle or jar because it will drastically change in color. Since with vodka you’re going from clear to a dark brown and with bourbon you’re not changing color much at all.
You’ll just add the vanilla beans to your vodka bottle or bourbon bottle and close that lid tight! Shake it up! Now wait!
The small the container the shorter amount of time the extract will take. For a small bottle it will take about 1-2 months. For a large bottle it can take up to 6 months! Obviously you can leave it for years, you’ll just need to shake it every once it a while!
These should smell just like vanilla extract when you open them up…and let me tell ya, it smells delicious!
After it is ready to go you can pour it into smaller bottles (or not), label, and use away! I love to gift these because pure vanilla is so expensive and everybody (well mostly) has it in their home-people love it!
