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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
How long will the vanilla keep once made. If I started making now, would it still be good next December?
It can last indefinitely if stored properly and topped off with Vodka as the supply decreases. Eventually, you’ll want to replace the beans with fresh ones since they lose their flavor and won’t infuse as well anymore.
Hi. I’m wanting to try this recipe. Do you use the Tahitian vanilla beans or the Madagascar? Which one is better?
Hi Joanna, Both will work great, but Madagascar beans have a more classic vanilla taste.
Thank you Natasha for this wonderful gift idea! I actually have vanilla that I made a couple of years ago with the beans still in the jar, and I decided to get more beans and the bottles and do what you said for a gift. I bought a few kitchen towels, and when I ordered the bottles, they came with the funnel and labels and the string to tie everything up with. Pretty cool! I also bought more vodka to add to my already full jar, which I will empty more when I make more gifts! I love all your recipes too, so I figured I would add that in as I wanted to thank you for the gift idea! Who doesn’t love a homemade gift!
I’m so glad to hear you love this gift idea too! It feels so personal and thoughtful, doesn’t it?
Yes, going to meet my first gift person in a half hour. I know she will appreciate and love it. Oh, and another gift idea is your cookbook, which I love too!
Thank you for your step by step instructions. I made two dozens bottles and my friends and family were thrilled and amazed. I told my closest friends that you really invented this wheel— not me. Others, I just let them think it was my idea! In any case, you made my Christmas giving easy and fun. Can’t thank you enough!
Awww, I appreciate your kind words. Thank you, Cathy!
Hi, thanks for this recipe! Question about the topping-off instruction: Won’t adding vodka as you use the extract dilute it? If so, is there a particular point (say, when you’ve used half) when you recommend adding more vodka? And do you have to wait another two months to use it again?
Hi Michelle, I add it incrementally as I use it – this way I don’t have to wait for it to regain color and strength.
Hi,
I made this vanilla extract back in October, and I have been shaking it about every week. I noticed today that some of my bottles have some white fuzz/flakes floating around (mostly at the bottom) and one has quite a bit of it on the beans themselves. Is this okay? Or is there any issue? They were fully submerged, the beans were not exposed to any air.
I was hoping to give these as Christmas gifts, by now I am concerned.
Can you help me please?
Hi Rose! If you sanitized the bottles and used 80 proof vodka, it’s very unlikely it’s mold. Sometimes this can be crystallization or fatty compounds from the beans. If it smells normal and nothing is growing on the surface, it should be fine.
How long before you see a change in colour for the vanilla extract? I am also wondering what size labels you use? I printed off the labels and they looked to be round but when printing on the labels they don’t print on the labels they are off a bit. My printer seems to be set correctly.
Hi Donna! It takes at least 2 months. I used label paper with stickers that were 2.5” diameter. It’s linked above where it says, “label paper” in bold font.
Does it matter what brand of 80 proof vodka? I used 80 proof for my lemon extract and it tasted like gross lemon vodka.
Hi Annette! You can use any brand as long as it’s 80 proof.
Is there a way to make vanilla extract without adding Vodka please
Vodka is an essential part of this recipe, I have not tried another version without it yet.
hi Natasha, will this recipe be ok to use for kids? baking is a regular thing in my household and i was concerned about the alcohol in vanilla extract present on the market. but here you have asked to use only vodka and beans…so i am curious…
Hi, Yes, it’s made with alcohol just like store-bought, but the alcohol bakes off, so it’s safe to use in recipes. For no-bake treats, you can swap in vanilla paste if you prefer. If you’re concerned, I suggest doing more research online so you feel fully confident.
Do you have to wait 2 months after each addition of alcohol?
Hi Sheila! You don’t have to wait a full 2 months after every top-up. You can useit after a couple of weeks for small top ups, the flavor keeps improving with time.
Hi Natasha. Thank you for the recipe! How many times can you top up before you need to replace the beans?
Hello Mirna! You can top up the alcohol 2–3 times and still get usable vanilla extra. If you notice the aroma or flavor weakening, you can then add fresh beans.
Is there any way you could send me the label template that is editable? I want to change the amount from 4 oz to 8oz.
Thanks,
Jen
Hi Jen! Unfortunately they cannot be edited. But you can creat your own labels using the Avery website, that’s were I made mine.
I noticed that you keep the beans inside the liquid. However, if you give these as gifts and they use it… eventually the beans will be outside of the liquid. Do you find it is better to to take the beans out before gifting
Hi Sarra, this is a gift that keeps on giving, they can continue to refill the bottle with alcohol as they use it and the flavor will continue to develop.
Hi
I actually made a version of this extract and the beans actually molded. Is that because I let the liquids get below the beans? Any time I used it did I need to top it off with vodka? Do people just cut the beans shorter to avoid that issue? I know it looks prettier when you can leave the beans longer though. Many thanks
Hi Cindy. Yes, vanilla beans mold when any part of the bean is exposed to air for too long. Topping off is best to prevent this. Also, make sure to use the correct vodka (80 proof).
Thanks so much for your response! I can’t wait to make them again.
How long does vanilla extract made this way last….if you don’t use it all quickly? 🙂
Hi Melissa! It can last for many years if done and stored the right way.
Where did you buy those red & white tea towels for gift wrapping the bottles?
I love those.
Hi Randy, those are from CostPlus World Market but it was years ago so their inventory is different every year.
I’m going to make this and would like to know if Vodka that is 40% alcohol would be okay, or does it need to be 80 proof?
Hi Marie, You can use any type of alcohol to make vanilla extract, as long as it’s 80-proof or 40% alcohol.
Hi Natasha
Thankyou for sharing your recipes
I was wondering how long the homemade vanilla has to sit before it is ready to use
Thankyou
Caroline
Hi Caroline! It takes at least two months before it’s ready to use, sometimes longer.
Am I able to get a pdf for the vanilla labels?!
Thank you!
Hi Linda, here’s the link to the label template from Avery.
Hi Natasha, I made this one batch with vodka, second with bourbon, gave out for Christmas last yr and now have huge jar made with spices rum, I too just add more alcohol whenever I use it making sure to keep my beans covered. Simple and easy to make and way less expensive that buying in the stores.