I love the smell of natural vanilla, it can be used in a variety of recipes and is great for superfood coffee, and I even use it in DIY skin care recipes like this Sugar Cookie Lip Scrub.
Unfortunately, store-bought “real vanilla” extract often contains corn syrup and sugar, and there’s a big difference between pure vanilla extract and imitation vanilla: The artificial versions hide ingredients like caramel coloring, artificial flavors, corn syrup, and propylene glycol.
I’ve been making my own vanilla extract for years. Not only is it cheaper than store-bought vanilla extract, it tastes amazing! And it’s one of the easiest recipes to make, with only two ingredients.
Vanilla extract is also known as vanilla tincture because it’s basically a tincture of food-grade liqueur and vanilla beans. If you have a shot of vodka, a vanilla bean, and some time, you can make your own vanilla extract.
Types of vanilla beans
There are several different kinds of vanilla beans available. You can use any of them, but here are some differences:
Grade A beans (what I use) have more moisture and brew faster, while Grade B beans are a bit drier, better for brewing, and a bit less expensive. I prefer Bourbon Vanilla Beans from Madagascar, which have a rich, floral vanilla flavor and aroma.
It’s quite expensive at your local grocery store, but you can find it much cheaper online, such as on Amazon.
The best alcohol to use
You’ll also need a high-quality liquor with an alcohol content of at least 35%. I prefer rum that’s non-GMO and made with no corn syrup. Spiced rumPapagayo rum is also a great option, and from what I’ve read, Four Roses and Wild Turkey bourbon are also non-GMO, but those are the only two I’ve been able to verify. You can also just look for organic rum, vodka, and bourbon.
A bottle of regular vodka is fine, but avoid the flavored ones, which usually have artificial and unhealthy ingredients added. The exact amount of alcohol you use will depend on how much vanilla you want to make. If you’re just making it for yourself, one bottle is enough, but it’s easy to double or triple the recipe for a gift.
Vanilla Infusion Tutorial
So you’ve got your beans and your alcohol, what’s next? Single fold vanilla is what you find at the grocery store and isn’t very strong. Double fold is much stronger, sweeter and more flavorful, but requires more beans.
To make a single fold vanilla, you’ll need 6-8 vanilla beans for every 8 ounces of alcohol. If you want to make a double fold, double the amount of beans. I use about 8 beans per cup of alcohol and the flavor is still good.
Once the beans are in the liquid, they should be steeped at room temperature and out of direct sunlight for at least three months. For best flavor, they should be steeped for 12 months. You can use an 8 oz bottle or larger, depending on how much vanilla you need.
Reusing vanilla beans
Simply top up with a little alcohol every time you use a bit of vanilla extract, and replace your used vanilla bean with a new one when the extract starts to lose its flavor.
Here’s a super easy recipe for making your own vanilla extract.
Homemade Vanilla Extract Recipe
Homemade natural vanilla extract made with just two ingredients for an incredibly flavorful product that’s perfect for baking, cooking, coffee, and more.
- 8 Ounce Organic or Non-GMO Alcohol (spiced rum, brandy, bourbon, or 80 proof vodka)
- 7-8 Vanilla beans
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Using a sharp knife, cut the vanilla bean in half lengthwise to expose the contents of the vanilla bean pod. If necessary, trim it to fit into the jar.
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Place the split beans into a tall glass jar – you can either use a recycled maple syrup bottle or a mason jar.
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Pour your alcohol of choice over the beans.
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Close the cap tightly and shake gently.
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Shake occasionally and store in a cool, dark place for at least a month. For best flavor, we recommend leaving it for 2-3 months. For an even stronger flavor, let it infuse for 12 months.
Nutritional Information
Homemade Vanilla Extract Recipe
1 serving (0.5 teaspoon)
calorie 6
% Daily Value*
carbohydrates 0.3 g0%
0.3g sugar0%
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
- I use vanilla extract straight from the bottle, topping up with alcohol as needed, and you can keep using the same vanilla beans until the extract loses its flavor.
- If your recipe calls for a sweeter vanilla extract, just add a bit of raw honey or maple syrup for a corn syrup- and refined sugar-free option.
How to use vanilla extract
This is a great DIY Christmas gift. There’s something special about handmade holiday gifts. You can even add a handmade tag and put it in a pretty jar. Here are some recipes and DIY projects that use homemade vanilla extract:
Have you ever made your own extracts? What did you make? Leave a comment and let us know!
