Vanilla Extract Experiment
Earlier this year I finally got the gusto to make some of our own homemade vanilla extract. Heavenly Homemakers has a wonderful how to post along with some amazing codes to get discounts on vanilla beans. My husband thought I was a little crazy when he came home and saw two half gallon jars full of beans and empty vodka bottles. But then I started to tell him how much vanilla extract is, how much I really use, and how it stores INDEFINITELY. I mean if spending $60 to save HUNDREDS isn’t worth it I don’t know how else to to sell it.
Here's my first ever batch of vodka vanilla
Fast forward to a month ago, my husband and I love the cooking channels. We watch all sorts of different shows and one episode about desserts particularly caught our eye. We watched how this bakery used a tequila vanilla extract in their devil’s food chocolate cookies. And just then our marriage ESP kicked in. At the same time we said “We should TOTALLY do that with other liquors!”
Last Thursday, after our morning walk and trip to the park, my son and I headed out to the liquor store. It was 10:00 AM. That’s right, my (almost) two year old and I waltzed in to buy booze at 10AM on a Thursday. Oh and did I mention that I’m about five months pregnant too? Winning. We left with tequila, rum, and two different whiskeys. After lunch and I put the little guy down for his nap I started my experiment.
I cleaned out my little half pint jars, I didn’t want to make too much in case things went south. I cut and split the beans and placed about 8-10 in each jar. Then I placed the liquor and sealed the lids and presto! It was complete. Now comes the hard part, the wait. It will be about four to six months before the vanilla is complete. Therefore these will be just perfect in time for the holidays. I’ll probably do a few test runs, and then bottle the rest for gifts for family and friends. I’ll definitely let you know how it turns out!
The line up for round two
Vanilla Extract with a Twist
Author/Source:
Kelly @ Onceamonthmom.com adapted from Heavenly Homemakers
Ingredients:
- 1 250ml of liquor of your choice
- 8-10 Vanilla Beans
- 1/2 pint jar and lid
Directions:
Sterilize and dry your lids and jars. Split the vanilla beans and place 8-10 in the jar depending on the liquor. I put more in for the whiskeys. Place lids on tightly and store in a cool dry place for four to six months. After that time, open it up and enjoy in your favorite baking recipes, ice creams, cocktails, whatever you choose!
You must not live in Texas you would have had the police and the Baptist church called on you before you reached the door:). Funny thing is though when I went with my kids to get the vodka a for the original version the store keeper knew exactly which was the best kind for extract. He was very helpful. I will try this. FYI you can use it after a few months if you happen to run out and are desprate, but it is better to wait.
Great helpful advice added. So I am thinking of embarking on this project but have a few questions. The first response is from “The Girls” and I wondered what Vodka the ABC rep suggested. Last thing I want to do is start this and have chosen something that turns out a dud.
Second – I am very interested in the link for the fair trade vanilla (Indrivanilla) – wondering what size of their beans you used.
Sounds great to just stuff the beans in the vodka to “cook” and then sort out into the smaller bottles for use after it has processed!
I have done this and used the 3 bottles I made. I love it! The cheap vodka makes the best in my opinion.
At the same time I made the vodka I made vanilla sugar by putting the vanilla beans in a cannister of sugar….wonderful for baking.
I would wash the jars out with dish detergent, but I wouldn’t waste energy sterilizing them. Consider the alcohol~not much gonna live in that! And even if the jars are “clean”, I doubt the vanilla beans are sterile. Save the energy!
[...] Vanilla Extract Experiment from Once a Month Mom. I have wanted to try this for a long time. Though I may make a batch of “regular” before I experiment. [...]
Made this last year for Xmas presents and found some vanilla beans at a Farmers Market that were from INDIA! I am eager to see how the different booze will affect the flavor
Any ideas about other jars to use that might be better for pouring and resealing without making too big of a mess?
you can find a lot of jars online that could work, although you want to brew it in a bigger jar, then when it’s ready you can use a funnel to put it into smaller more decorative jars if you want to.
A friend of mine started a fair trade business with a vanilla farmer if your looking for good quality vanilla beans:
“I just wanted a couple vanilla beans to make some vanilla extract, and maybe some cookies or ice cream. I went shopping locally and was shocked by the high cost ($10 per bean?!) and low quality (read: brittle, crusty, shriveled) vanilla beans I found. IndriVanilla began with one small letter to one small vanilla farming co-op in Indonesia. I wanted high-quality vanilla beans for less than I could get them locally or online; this farmer was looking to get fair trade prices for his vanilla beans. Middlemen, referred to by the farmers as “traders,” pay vanilla farmers very little for their prized beans. IndriVanilla was born to provide more people besides myself with high-quality, low-cost vanilla. I buy direct from the farmers at their asking price.”
http://www.indrivanilla.com/
I used cheap brandy to make mine and I found bottles and bottles of Vanilla at a salvage store for $.69 each instead of $9. It made enough that I was able to give the majority away and still have had enough to last me almost 3 years.
Homemade vanilla extract is the best! I just stuff the vanilla beans right into the bottle of vodka and let it sit for several works. Best thing ever!
WEEKS, not works.
I’m interested in how these turned out…?
I’m curious, too… How did it work out with the different liquors?
They are great! We made a small batch of sugar cookies with each one and did a taste test, they are delicious!
Request for update! Would love to have you do a blind taste testing, to see which is the best for baking, and which was nicest for something that isn’t cooked like frosting or vanilla pudding.
Hi Trish! Honestly I have tried them all and I don’t taste much of a difference. I’ve found that the darker liquors gave a heartier vanilla flavor.