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Rosy Blu

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Make your own vanilla extract: Just vodka + vanilla beans + time

March 21, 2012 by Michelle 2 Comments

Based on the blogs I read, it feels like making vanilla extract from scratch is quite the trend. As I mentioned earlier, it’s just two ingredients―vanilla and vodka. You put the two in a jar together for a couple months and the vanilla flavor seeps into the vodka. Easy, right?

I’ve never used real vanilla beans before, but have always wanted to. Plus I love making things from scratch…so I had to try this out for myself.

I paid $11 for organic vanilla beans on Amazon (I chose this seller from a recommendation on another blog, plus their customer reviews are stellar.)

Bourbon Madagascar Vanilla Beans

Add $6.29 for a 750ml bottle of cheap vodka. I bought the cheapest on the shelf, because the taste doesn’t really matter–once the vanilla extract is put in your recipe, the vodka burns off in the oven leaving just the flavor of vanilla behind.

Cheap vodka

I used 12 of the vanilla beans for my recipe. The general ratio is 3 beans to a cup of vodka. I had about 3-1/2 cups of vodka.

Vanilla beans

I sliced the beans in half and scraped out the seeds.

Look at the teeny tiny seeds from inside the vanilla bean!
Look at the teeny tiny seeds from inside the vanilla bean!

Then I dropped the seeds and the beans into a big quart jar.

Once the vanilla extract is put in your recipe, the vodka burns off in the oven.

Pour the vodka over everything.

Pour vodka over the vanilla beans

And seal the jar.

Vanilla Extract from scratch

Now I just need to wait. I’ll shake it once or twice a week; then strain out the beans and seeds with cheesecloth. Articles I’ve read say anywhere from 6 weeks to 3 months for the flavor to really come out.

After just two weeks you can see the color of the vodka becoming a rich brown from the vanilla:

DIY vanilla extract

Is it worth the money to make from scratch?

The vanilla extract I typically buy costs about $9 for 11 ounces. The recipe I’m making works out to just over $6 per 11oz bottle.

I’ll let you know in a couple months how it tastes–then I’ll really be able to tell if this recipe is worth it!

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Hi there, I'm Michelle. I'm a writer, designer and founder of Rosy Blu Academy (where I offer tools, guides and courses to create more ease in your home, work and life). I specialize in creating and teaching flexible organizational systems. I’m on a mission to help people create more space and intention in their lives, and to take better care of themselves so they can take better care of the world around them. Read More…

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I’m Michelle. I design organizational systems to harmonize your home, your life and your brand.

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