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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
Hi Natasha,
As I add vodka to the bottle when using the vanilla, do I need to let it sit for another couple of months before using?
Hi Katie, yes that is correct. Once it has the desired color, you can use it.
This is my first time making Vanilla Extract and there are a lot of Vanilla bean seeds at the bottom of each bottle should I strain them out?
Hi Christine, you can strain it to have a prettier look if you’d like 🙂
I made up 8 bottles of the vanilla extract recipe – the question I have is when I split the beans in half the seeds inside the beans floated to the bottom of the bottle – will they eventually dissolve or just remain .
Hate to give them as gifts which is why I made them up with the seeds floating around.
Thank you
Hi Barbara, they will remain in the bottle but that is definitely a good thing – the seeds add wonderful flavor and if you do get specs of vanilla in your recipes – even better!
Me encanta esta receta del extracto de vainilla y si muy fácil todo hasta como hacer los regalos, lastima que la vi tarde, pero ya para el proximo año seran mi obsequio de Navidad.
Thank you for that wonderful review! I’m so happy you found this recipe. You can always still make these as gifts, just tell them not to open it until a later date! 😉 Enjoy!
I was considering making the 2 oz bottles. Do you think that would be too small? If not, how would you recommend cutting the beans?
I think that may still work. I nice clean cut should be fine for the beans. Just make sure they stay submerged so adding alcohol a bit more often may be required
Where do I get vanilla beans.I live in Nova Scotia.Vodka no problem
We order ours online. I recommend doing an online search for delivery.
Costco Dartmouth Crossing currently has Papua New Guinea vanilla Beans in stock 👍
I bought round labels from amazon, but when i print, they are not lined up. not sure how to fix this issue. Thanks for sharing!
Most labels have a guide and settings to choose for paper types in your printer settings.
Natasha,
What size Avery labels did you use?
Thank you,
Elaine
Hi Elaine! The label sheet was 8 1/2 by 11 and I cut out the circles. I wasn’t able to find pre-cut circles.
You can download these labels for free.
Do the vanilla beans ever go bad when in bourbon? I made vanilla extract last year and now the beans are a bit slimy. Is this normal ?
If the vanilla beans become exposed that may cause them to become slimy and ruin your extract. So make sure the beans are not exposed, you can do that by topping them off with more alcohol. I hope this helps!
So are you saying that the beans in the jar should always be covered with liquid, or in other words, top it off with more vodka when the liquid goes below the top of the beans in the jar to avoid becoming slimy?
Yes, that should help avoid that from becoming slimy.
I would love to try this recipe! Can you reccommend where to buy beans from? I live in Canada and to have 25 beans shipped to me to make 24 4 oz bottle works out to 273 dollars?
Hi Cheryl, not knowing what is available locally in Canada, I’m not sure. The best I can recommend is Amazon. I have linked the beans we ordered on Amazon.
Hello,
I live in Canada, but I’m close enough to the border to ship the bottles there. For the vanilla beans, my husband bought them at Costco, if you have one near by?
Hi Jessica, look on eBay for vanilla beans. Late last year one of the sellers was from Canada.
Costco in Canada has vanilla beans, usually run around $25 to $30 for 10 beans and I’ve seen the bottles at Michaels.
Natasha, I love this idea for Christmas gifts. I just placed my order on Amazon. I know my family will love this gift. My son is a recovering alcoholic. Is there something I can use in place of the vodka? I’d love to include him in this gift, but only using an alcohol replacement. Thank You!
Hi Ruth, I’ve heard people using glycerine to make it alcohol free but don’t have any personal experience with that.
Ruth, have a look on YouTube for Cupcake Jenna – she has a video on making extract with glycerine
Thank you so much for this recipe and instructions. I made these as Christmas gifts and they are lovely. I make jam as well, so I found a recipe for a dip that used jam and vanilla extract to put with them. Very excited to wrap them!!
Thank you for the wonderful review!
Your link to vanilla beans leads to beans out of stock. Can you recommend another link?
You might also try these here or these!
Can you substitute almonds instead of the vanilla bean to make almond extract or lemon to make lemon extract
I haven’t tried either one of those extracts before but those are great ideas! I imagine the process would be some what similar
Does the type or quality of the Vanilla bean make a difference?
Grade A is considered the best. I’m assuming there will be some what of a difference if you were to truly compare.
Hi Natasha! I was wondering how good is this in comparison with say a store bought one? Like Costco’s. And I bought 15 vanilla beans how do you think I should start my extraction process? Like much vodka for example? Thank you!
Hi Tina! 15 vanilla beans will make a big batch. You could do up to 5 cups of vodka for that many or just fill the vessel you have with Vodka and refill it with more Vodka as you use it. If you start with say 3 cups, it will also develop a darker and stronger flavor faster.
hello! I am kind of experimenting with organic ingredients. my question for you, where do you buy the beans? the places i have looked is incredibly expensive and i dont wanna buy too cheap to where it is not as good.
my other question is the brew period, i know you said approximately 2 months, but other sites like beanilla says 8 weeks. so i was wondering if 8 weeks or so would be good for your recipe?
thank you!!
Hi Shelby! We use these beans here or these work also. I have them linked in the recipe also.
8 weeks is pretty close to 2 months so I say that’s about right.
Your such a nice person Natasha!
Thank you, Mary!
Hello, I was wondering if I could make this in a big bottle, let sit for months, then put liquid only in the smaller bottles. I am wanting to do this as favors for a shower, but don’t want to actually put the beans in each bottle. Do you think it will still be good, or does the bean have to stay in the bottles? Looks beautiful!
Hi Lisa, I think it could work. I haven’t tried it in a big bottle myself, however. I’d love to know the turn out if you try that!
If you have answered this already, I apologize for the added work. What is the shelf life of the 4oz bottle? Does it vary depending on what alcohol you use?
Hi Amy, from what I’ve read, the extract never really expires – it just lasts and lasts. The only tip I have is making sure the bottle is securely closed. Alcohol will evaporate over time and that may cause a more intense vanilla flavor. I hope this helps.
The first time I made my own vanilla extract, the beans started to become slimy and yucky looking after about 6-7 years. The second batch, which I’m replacing now, lasted 6 years before I thought they looked like they needed to be replaced. I don’t know if it’s because the beans just start breaking down over time, or if it has to do with temperature fluctuations. Extract without the beans will last indefinitely, but the beans do eventually need to be replaced.
I’d like to start the brewing directly in my 4oz bottles and bought a 25 count grade B Tahitian vanilla bean pack.
Hi Karen. Thank you for sharing that with us! We would love to know how it works out
Hi Natasha! I was wondering if I bought 15 vanilla beans am I able to just put them all together in one jar and use it like that or do you advice I make separate vanilla extracts? How much vodka would I need if I just put all the vanilla beans together at once?
Thank you!!
Hi Kris! 15 vanilla beans will make a big batch. You could do up to 5 cups of vodka for that many or just fill the vessel you have with Vodka and refill it with more Vodka as you use it. If you start with say 3 cups, it will also develop a darker and stronger flavor faster.
Thank you for your input! Okay so what if I have 10-11 vanilla beans how much vodka would I use if I was still doing a big batch?
Hi Kris, I would modify it proportionally so if using half the amount of beans called for in the recipe, use half the amount of vodka.