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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
Hello! How timely, I am going to do this for gifts this year. Thanks for the labels! Question: isn’t vanilla supposed to be stored in a dark bottle? I got the brown ones
Hi Arlene! You’re welcome! They’re so neat and fun to make for the holidays. The dark bottles work great but I just store them in a cool and dark cupboard so this helps.
I want to make but where do you get the vanilla beans reasonable? My local supermarket wants $19.79 for two beans! This price is way above my means since being on a fixed income social security.
Sincerely, Howie
Hi Howie! I put my amazon link for the vanilla beans in the blog post above (the red words are a link).
I love this recipe!
I made a gallon of this in July 2013, for Xmas gifts and me. You are right I have a large jar like a quart and a half size that I keep going, I add some vodka to it and a new bean every once in awhile. The best tasting vanilla ever!!! I might have to put it in my will as to who gets it when I gone🤣.
Yes, that’s right. Good to hear that you love this recipe a lot too!
Hi Natasha. I love your videos and the recipes. I’m ordering the bottles and beans in just a moment. I look forward to more fun videos and great recipes. Thank you and take care.
Thank you, Patti! 🙂 I hope you love this recipe.
Had a mostly full bottle of Tito’s Homemade Vodka (80 proof) chilling. Came across this Homemade Vanilla Extract recipe and got excited. I love making homemade gifts for my daughters for Christmas. Looked at Natasha’s links for all the needed supplies and then headed to eBay to source identical in the exact quantities needed. Six 4-oz Boston Round Bottles $14.99. Ten yards Red Bakers Twine $3.50. Five sheets Avery 5294 Round Labels $5.50. Ten Madagascar Grade A Organic Vanilla Beans $11.49. Two Poinsettia Tea Towels $1.95. All in, excluding the Vodka, I was able to make five 4-oz Vanilla Extract for $7.49 per bottle. Smells amazing and looks beautiful! Thank you, Natasha for sharing this awesome recipe!
You’re welcome! 🙂
Hi, While I wait for bottles, etc., to get here, can I just stuff the vanilla beans into the bottle of vodka so as to start the process? Thanks!
Hi! I think you could. Several of my readers have mentioned making this in bulk and them adding it to the bottles when it’s done. I like to make these individually because you can add Vodka to the beans as the extract starts to run low.
Thank you Natasha for the fun project. Also thanks to all for sharing their experiences.
I made my batch with bourbon, not vodka, however. Any chance you have a label for bourbon?
Your labels are next level and I do not have those skills to make anything as lovely.
Hi Pam, Unfortunately, there’s no way to edit the label since it is a static image that we saved. However, you can go directly to the Avery label website and custom make a label. Their website is pretty user-friendly, and I hope that helps!
I just made this recipe and I used Smirnoff thinking it was 80 proof and I did not check it. I just noticed it says 40 proof. Will this not turn out the same or as good?
Hi Debra, you might need to google search that and see if that is acceptable for making vanilla. An 80 proof vodka is 40% alcohol and 60% water. If you have 40% alcohol, that is the same thing as 80 proof.
Have you ever made vanilla paste? What’s your opinion on using that vs extract? I’ve not tried the paste but am intrigued 🙂
Hi Lisa, I have not tried that but I think that’s a good recipe to try in the future!
I have made vanilla in the last few years and In my experience – it’s not ready to use for almost 6-9 months. I typically make this a new year (Jan/Feb) project to get started for the next holiday season. That said, even if you gift it early this year, it’s fun for the recipient to be involved with their vanilla process by shaking and smelling from time to time 🙂
For ease (if you start at least 6-9 months before gifting), I make the vanilla directly in the vodka bottle (you need a lot of beans) and then fill gift bottles when ready (adding some of the vanilla beans from the bottle). Hopefully you will have you will then have plenty leftover for yourself to enjoy! The labels, recipe and gifting wrapping idea are fabulous!!!!
Thanks a lot for sharing that with us, Debbie!
I think I will try your method. Can you share the brand of vodka you used?
Hi Brooke, yes, it is in the photo above.
Having made vanilla for years I would advise 1 cup of vodka for 1 0z of vanilla beans to make a proper single fold extract as beans can vary in size. Make a large batch in advance of gifting.
I’m eager to try this. I’m confused, though, about the bourbon in the ingredients list. At what point does that get used?
Edit: The way my monitor showed it, Bourbon was on the 2nd line so looked like a separate ingredient. But now I see that it says “Grade B Bourbon” about the beans. However, the beans in y0our link say nothing about Bourbon. Could you please clarify?
Hi Vicki, the variety can change online based on what the seller is selling or what is available. I know vanilla has had some supply issues in the last couple of years so maybe that is why?
Thanks, Natasha – looking forward to trying it! Buying the beans today.
How fun! I hope you love the process and the result. Enjoy!
“Bourbon” refers to the cure of the bean- it is either bourbon cured (with steam) or Mexican cured (dried in sun).
Hi Vickie, it reads “18-20 vanilla beans, I used Grade B Bourbon”
Where do you get the grade b Bourbon to make vanilla you have all the stuff to make it but the bourbon vanilla
Hi Linda, we have a link to it in our recipe! You can also find it HERE.
What is the difference between vanilla essence and the extract, and when would you use is? Could I use the extract in normal cakes? Thank you for all you recipies.
Hi Val, the extract is a natural product, whereas essence is synthetic. The extract is less processed and provides a stronger vanilla flavor, so we always use extract.
I just ordered the stuff! $4.20/bottle (not including the vodka). What a GREAT gift idea! THANK YOU!
You’re welcome. They make a great gift! 🙂
Hi Natasha,
Your amazing in everything you do your a great person
I don’t miss anything you make
I love all your recipes
I’m going to make this vanilla extract.
Thanks again
Rosanna 🥰🥰
Thank you for that wonderful compliment, Rosanna! I’m smiling big reading this comment and so happy to hear you’re loving my recipes!
I feel this recipe would make pretty weak vanilla extract, I make mine 750ml (25 oz) with 15 vanilla bean and its great
Did you use 750 ml of vodka to 15 vainilla beans? Also, did you let it sit for 2 months like Natasha recommends?
I look forward to hearing from you Norma!
I’m doing exactly that right now. I hope the result is good! Do you like it read for 2 months or longer??
Where did you get the jars to use for the home made vanilla? Are clear jars recommended?
Hi Barbara, I linked them in my blog notes under “Tools You’ll Need…” Click on the red lettering.
Hi Natasha,
I do not see a link for the labels. Could you send it me me please. Great Idea!
Thanks, Pam
Hi Pam, I have the printout linked to the recipe, but you can also find it HERE for the printable PDF and you can find the exact label I used HERE. I hope it works great for you!.
This is amazing! Such a cute and easy gift idea as well.
But where can I find vanilla beans?? I don’t recall seeing it anywhere.
Thanks!
Hi Amanda! I linked it in the notes, the red letter is a link if you click on it. 🙂
Here is my link for the vanilla beans.
I made this vanilla extract last November, and I’m just now using it. It is absolutely fantastic! Thank you for the recipe! My question is once I use a complete bottle of it and the old vanilla beans are still left inside, can I just pour more Vodka inside of it and leave another year? Or do I need to start the process all over with new vanilla beans. Thank you, Lori
Hi Lori, I refill them continuously as they are depleted and I start fresh when the color is no longer deep in amber.
Hi Natasha. I just want to clarify what you’re saying about refilling them continuously. Are you saying you use a bottle entirely and then refill it? Or are you using a portion of the bottle and then refilling it with Vodka so that the old mixed with the new? If you are doing that, do you need it to sit for a certain amount of time after you fill it?I’m excited to try this. Just waiting for the bottles to be delivered. Could I make any extra with what I have left over and place it in a mason jar? Or would that jar not be good enough? Thanks!!
HI Karen, I add more as I use it – I like to keep enough in there to keep the beans submerged in liquid and this way I don’t have to wait to use it again. If I keep adding it over time, I can use it the next time I’m baking. I keep a mason jar of vanilla extract also and I use that for refilling. I make a big batch and as I refill my mini jars with it, I add more vodka to the large jar. It works well for me.