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Learning how to make vanilla extract is the easiest thing ever. It requires only 2 ingredients and makes all of your baked goods taste and smell incredible. Homemade vanilla extract will be your secret ingredient for baking! Once you make your own homemade vanilla extract, there’s just no going back to the store-bought version. As a bonus, you can refill real vanilla extract with more vodka as it runs out so it’s the gift that keeps on giving.
These make for darling and thoughtful DIY Christmas gifts (see tutorial below). My cousin’s wife, Alla, shared this awesome idea with me for gifting homemade vanilla extract and now all my sisters and friends know exactly what they’re getting for Christmas! lol.
I included links to all of the tools and resources that I used to make these from the sweet little glass bottles on Amazon to the free labels I designed which you can print at home. There’s also a full visual tutorial on wrapping these in kitchen towels. I really enjoyed making these and I will enjoy giving them away even more!
Vanilla Extract Ingredients (makes 10 (4oz) jars):
20 vanilla beans
40 oz plain vodka* (80 proof works great)
It’s easy to scale this recipe up or down, the proportions are 4 whole vanilla beans per 1 cup (8 oz) vodka, or 2 vanilla beans per 1/2 cup (4 oz) vodka.
*It’s not necessary to get the most expensive brand of vodka; something middle of the road like Smirnoff triple distilled 80 proof will work just fine. I found this at the liquor store and paid $25 for a giant jug. I’ll be refilling my vanilla a long time :). My cousin used the Vodka sold at Costco (Washington Costco’s carry liquor, but Idaho’s don’t).
Tools you’ll need for Homemade Vanilla Extract:
Small funnel or measuring cup with pouring lip
10 (4oz) clear bottles with lids (avoid cork lids – alcohol evaporates through the cork)
Labels – you can save and print the labels I designed for FREE!
Kitchen scissors or sharp knife
How to Make Vanilla Extract:
1. Wash and sanitize bottles and lids. I washed with mild soapy water, rinsed then swirled with boiling hot water to sanitize them.
2. Cut beans in half then Split beans. I found this is easiest with kitchen scissors. Cutting them about halfway down the stem. If the beans are too dry to split, cut them into 1″ pieces. Place a total of 2 whole beans in each jar (or 4 split halves).
3. Use a funnel or measuring cup to pour vodka to the top of the jar. Cover tightly with lid and let them brew for 2 months, shaking occasionally.
Apply the FREE vanilla extract labels by printing them on label paper or by gluing them onto the bottles. If printing on the labels, make sure your printer is set to 100% and not “fit to page” which make shrink or stretch labels.
You should give the vanilla a little shake every now and then for the next couple of months as it sits. It will turn a beautiful amber color when it’s ready to use. The instructions are right on the label so you don’t have to wait that long to gift them ;).
For Creative Gifting:
12 yards of yarn or kitchen string
12 kitchen towels for gifting, preferably tea towel style
12 small/medium cookie cutters
How to Wrap a Gift With a Kitchen Towel:
Fold a kitchen towel in half lengthwise and then in half again lengthwise. Place vanilla in the upper left corner, fold over the bottom flap, roll into a log and tie the top with a string or ribbon directly over the next of where the bottle is sitting inside the towel.
How to Store Vanilla Extract
Keep your homemade vanilla extract in a cool dry place. Heat and light can cause it to turn cloudy.
If it does turn cloudy, murky, or muddy-looking, do the smell test and if it still smells good, it should be fine to use. Using 80 proof vodka, it is highly unlikely there is bacterial growth.
Sometimes the type of beans you get can leach pulp into the alcohol and you can strain out sediment if desired.
Vanilla Extract Recipe
Ingredients
Vanilla Extract Ingredients (makes 12 (4oz) jars):
- 20 vanilla beans, I used Grade B Bourbon
- 40 oz plain vodka*, 80 proof works great
Tools you'll need for Homemade Vanilla Extract:
- Small funnel or measuring cup with pouring lip
- 10 4oz clear bottles with lids (avoid cork lids)
- Labels
- Kitchen scissors or sharp knife
Instructions
- Wash and sanitize bottles and lids: Wash with mild soapy water, rinse, then carefully swirl with boiling hot water to sanitize them.
- Cut beans in half then Split beans (it's easiest with kitchen scissors), cutting them about halfway down the stem. If the beans are too dry to split, cut them into small 1" pieces so they don't stick up above the surface of the extract as you use it. Place a total of 2 whole beans in each jar (or 4 split halves).
- Use a funnel to pour vodka to the top of jar. Cover tightly with lid and let them brew for 2 months, shaking occasionally.
Notes
Filed Under
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen
This is amazing! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe and tips. Any chance you can share where to buy the little lidded bottles for the vanilla extract?
Hi Ana! Glad you enjoy this recipe. I provided the links to the bottles and tools you’ll need in my notes above. Anything in red lettering is a link. 🙂
Hello Natasha,
I have a bit of vodka and a bit of rum. Would it be okay to mix the two alcohols for this vanilla extract recipe, or would it be better to separately ferment one with vodka and one with rum?
Thank you in advance.
Hi Angelina, I haven’t tested that to advise. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe.
Because I am in Vanilla groups and have researched quite a bit, Vanilla Beans should be weighed, not counted, because different beans weigh different amounts. The rule of thumb is to use 1 Oz of beans per 1 cup of alcohol of at least 80 proof of you want a “single fold” vanilla extract. That said, Grade A beans have more moisture, so if using Grade A, you can use alcohol up to 100 proof. Many use 190 proof grain alcohol mixed with equal parts Distilled Water, making your proof 95 or 47.5% alcohol. It needs to mature for around 1 year. At that time, you can decant and use your vanilla beans again in half the amount of alcohol for the same amount of beans. Your end result should be at least 35% alcohol per the FDA.
Thank you so much for sharing that with me!
We love your recipes. Do you know how to make vanilla bean paste Thankyou.
Hi Colleen. So glad you love my recipes. No, I do not have a recipe for vanilla bean paste.
Made this in June for Christmas gifts and the vanilla is quite transparent. Will this be good? Should I add more vanilla beans?
Hi Jo! It may still need time, but it could also depend on the types or size of beans used. If it is still too light for your liking, you can definitely add more beans to darken the color.
Hi, Natasha,
Love your recipes and your videos. This vanilla extract recipe inspires me to start thinking about food gifts for Christmas even though it’s about four months away. What do you think about doing a segment on holiday food gifts, labeling, wrapping? Vanilla extract, caramel sauce? What else? Thank you!
Thank you so much for that suggestion, Bobbie!
I have made vanilla using the same amounts of vanilla beans and vodka you give in your recipe, but the extract is MUCH better if you give it at least 6 months to a year before you use it! I prefer waiting a year, so when I know I plan on gifting it, I keep a good rotation going and label the bottles with the date I started them. I’m about to bottle some vanilla I’ve had going since last September. They are two 16 oz. jars that I will divide between 8 four oz. bottles. I have another batch that will be ready in December – also will be a year to develop awesome flavor and darkness! It makes a big difference if you have patience! Also, if you do have a bottle you are using that has some beans inside, adding some vodka to replace what you use can only be satisfactory for so long– you need to add a new vanilla bean from time to time, and remember to shake! Do not let vanilla beans stick out above the extract. This can cause them to mold!
Thank you for your tips and suggestions, Kathy.
I put up several bottles of extract using this recipe in fall of 2020. Could not give them out at that time due to Covid. I wondered if it would still be ok to give them out this year. They have been stored in a dark room in my house. Still good?
Hi Linda, from what I have read, vanilla extract doesn’t really expire so expiration would not be a concern for me.
Natasha, can you please let us know what and where you get your vanilla beans! I’ve read so many negative comments on Amazon regarding different beans, I don’t know which to buy!
Hi Laurie, here’s the amazon affiliate link for the beans that I use.
I would love to have the link to print the label for homemade vanilla extract. Thank you in advance. It said to click here for label but it doesn’t work.
Hi Mandy, I have the printout linked to the recipe, but you can also find it HERE.
Hi Natasha. Thanks so much for sharing this recipe. I made the vanilla recipe exactly as described. I was able to get the jars and vanilla beans from Amazon. I’ve kept the bottles in a dark, cool place for 6 weeks, and I have shaken them lightly as suggested. At this point, the color is a very light amber. Will the color darken over time, or is this the color it’s supposed to be?
Hi Beth! I’m glad you tried this recipe. It may still need some time, but it could also depend on the types or size of beans used. If it is still too light for your liking, you can definitely add more beans to darken the color.
Hi Natasha, how many times can you keep refilling with the vodka, before the vanilla beans lose their fragrance? Hope this question makes sense, lol
Thax 🙂
Hi Suzie, I refill them continuously as they are depleted and I start fresh when the color is no longer deep in amber.
I really liked your site. Thanks for the information.
You’re very welcome!
I use 1 vanilla bean per ounce,28 ozs. 28 beans. I make 56 ozs. of Voda, sometimes 80 Proof, sometimes 100 Proof (still experimenting but can’t tell too much difference) at one time (of course I sell it also). I let it marinate 6 months (like fine wine) of course I will start using it at about 4 months…
Thank you so much for sharing that with me! I hope you try and like our recipe soon!
Hi Natasha
My question is can you use Jack Daniel whisky to make the vanilla this is my first time.I don’t want to mess up the first time
Hi Phyllis, I would only make this recipe as written.
I have never made my own vanilla before and I Love Vanilla and always end up adding more than the recipe calls for. Therefore, is it okay to use 2 whole vanilla beans per 4 oz vodka or 4 whole vanilla beans per 8 oz of vodka?
Thanks so much!
Hi Robin, I have not tested that but I think it could work.
Just love your recipes! Especially, your New York
Cheesecake.
I have seen that Ina Gartener has a jar of vanilla beans for 25 years. She doesn’t say how to do it. In my research you can reuse beans – count 25% of them “as new.” Some sites say don’t keep them longer than a year.
I use about 5 beans per each cup. Other sites say 10 per each cup. $$$$ Now you prefer 3 per cup.
I think how you wrap them are way cute.
Instead of waiting for your vanilla to cure give them uncured so the person can watch it cure.
Continuing to pray for your family and the Ukraine.
Thank you.
Thanks for sharing that with us, Jean. There are different varieties but this is the recipe that we love and what works best for us. Thank you too for your prayers for the people in Ukraine, it means a lot to us.
Is it worth spending the few extra dollars for Madagascar Vanilla Bean vs Vanilla Bean?
Any advice appreciated!
Hi C.J. Yes, that is my preference, but you could opt to use just vanilla bean. Madagascar vanilla beans are considered to be the best due to their quality and flavor profile.
I just made some of these vanilla bottles.. Wish me luck..
Thanks for all your time and giving us all these great recipes!!
You’re welcome!
Hi Natasha I made the vanilla extract and used it to make your blueberry muffins again. It tastes amazing . Will add more vodka as it starts to decrease. The colour of the vanilla extract is lovely just like yours & the aroma is soothing. Thank you so much.
You’re very welcome, Sania. So happy you enjoyed this recipe.
I’m currently using a glass bottle with a flip top. It was cheap $2.99. I wouldn’t take it on adventures, but to have while sitting at my desk – it’s great!