Homemade Vanilla Extract is so much better than anything you can buy in the store or on-line.

It takes no time at all to make it.

It does take considerable patience to wait until the vanilla extract is ready to be used.

This is not an overnight process.

You will need to let it sit, out of the sunlight, for at least 90 days.

However, some experts say nope – you need to wait 6 months to have a good quality vanilla.

Then again, some say a year.

Obviously, the longer you can wait, the better.

I am going to this batch sit for 18 months.

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Supplies

bottles (my bottles are 8.5 ounces)

labels – a tutorial on how I made my labels is coming shortly.

funnel – one came with my bottles

Liquor – see below

Vanilla Beans

sharp, small knife to open beans

Alcohol I used

I decided to make up several batches of vanilla using different liquors.

I used Bay Town Vodka, a spiced rum, a vanilla flavored vodka, and Black Ridge Small Batch Bourbon.

Directions

1. Wash the bottles.
2. Using a small knife, cut the vanilla beans open down the middle.
3. Then, cut the beans in half.
4. I placed three beans (6 halves) in each bottle.
5. Using a funnel, fill the bottles to the top.
6. And, then place the air tight top on the bottles and seal.
7. Add the labels.
8. Give them a shake, and then put them somewhere so that you can remember to shake them periodically for the next 18 months or however long you decide to wait.

Notes

I am not a vanilla making expert.

The experts recommend 1 ounce of vanilla beans to 8 ounces of alcohol.

This translates to about 6-8 beans per 8 ounces of alcohol.

For this batch, I only used 3 beans per 8 ounces.

But, because I am allowing my vanilla to sit longer, I felt comfortable going with less.

Regardless, it’s fun to experiment with different varieties of vanilla beans and different alcohols.

So, now………….WE WAIT!

And, since I don’t have any homemade vanilla on hand, this brand is my favorite to purchase.

It does not break the bank and it is a good quality vanilla.

Pin For Later!

Drop me a comment below and let me know your thoughts on the vanilla making process. I would love to know which alcohol you used.

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