Homemade Bourbon Vanilla Extract Recipe For Gifts
Homemade bourbon vanilla extract is so easy to make and the flavor is so much more rich and decadent than store-bought vanilla! All you need is bourbon whiskey and whole vanilla beans.
When I first really started to get into making as many things form scratch as I could, homemade vanilla extract was one of the very first things I tried.
It’s so simple and the list of supplies is super short so it’s very beginner friendly!
If you’ve never tasted homemade vanilla before, get ready to be blown away by the depth of flavor you get when you make it yourself. It elevates whatever recipe you’re using it in to another level!
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what you need to make bourbon vanilla extract
ingredients
- Bourbon Whiskey – Just use whatever brand of bourbon you like best but make sure it’s at least 70 proof to get the best extraction out of the beans.
- Whole Vanilla Beans – You will need 5 fresh vanilla beans for 8 ounces of alcohol. Grade B Madagascar vanilla beans are best, but you can also use Tahitian vanilla beans!
Supplies
- Glass Bottle – Make sure your container has a tight fitting lid so that the alcohol can’t evaporate over time.
- Sharp Knife – To slice the vanilla beans.
how to make the best bourbon vanilla extract
Prep Bottles – Clean the 8 oz bottles you will be making the vanilla extract in completely.
Prep Vanilla Beans – Cut a long slit in each vanilla bean using a sharp knife. Place 5 vanilla beans into each bottle.
Add Bourbon – Fill each bottle all the way with bourbon and seal with lids.
Let Infuse – Store in a cool dark place for 6 months to about 2 years before using. Give the bottles a good shake every 2 weeks or so to help the vanilla infuse into the alcohol.
tips for success
Storing – Vanilla extract should be stored in a glass bottle with a tight fitting lid. Keep the bottle out of direct sunlight to preserve the flavor.
Keep your supply up by replacing what you use with more bourbon and add an extra vanilla bean every year or so.
Substitutions – You can use rum, vodka or any kind of whiskey in place of the bourbon.
about homemade bourbon vanilla extract
- It saves money to make your own vanilla extract!
- Homemade vanilla extract makes a great Christmas gift
- It has a very long shelf life (years!)
- It tastes more rich and has a more intense flavor than store-bought vanilla extract
- Keep up your vanilla supply by adding more bourbon as you use it and another vanilla bean every year or so
FAQ about making vanilla extract from scratch
What’s the best alcohol to use?
Vodka, rum, bourbon and brandy all work well as the base for homemade vanilla. Cheap vodka is the most commonly used since it has the most neutral flavor but bourbon is my personal favorite type of alcohol to use.
You just want to make sure to use at least 70 proof alcohol for the best results.
How many vanilla beans do I need?
It takes 5 vanilla beans to make a cup of vanilla extract.
What is the best kind of container for storing DIY vanilla Extract?
It’s best to store vanilla extract in a glass container with a tight fitting lid, preferably amber colored so that it stays as dark as possible to keep the extract nice and strong. Light can cause the vanilla flavor to lose it’s flavor over time.
I prefer to use a container with a narrow neck so that the vanilla beans don’t fall out when I go to use it.
How long should I let it steep?
At minimum, the vanilla beans should sit in the bourbon at room temperature for 6 months. A year would be ideal to really get the best flavor and allow the extract to develop a nice rich color.
Can I reuse the vanilla beans?
After you’ve let the vanilla steep for at least 6 month, you can remove the beans (or leave them in) and use them to make a vanilla syrup, infuse their flavor into sugar to use in recipes, store them with your coffee beans or use them in custards and creams.
I use my leftover beans to make vanilla ice cream!
How long does homemade vanilla extract last?
Homemade vanilla will last for years in a dark, cool place with the lid tightly sealed.
To keep your vanilla supply up, just top up the bottle with bourbon every time you use some and add an extra vanilla bean every year or so.
How To Print and use your free printable gift tags
These sweet and simple little gift tags are perfect for gifting your bottles of vanilla extract to family and friends.
Just print them out at home or at your local print shop and cut out each label. Use a hole punch and a piece of string or a ribbon to tie the labels onto the bottles.
Easy peasy and oh so pretty!
recipes To Use homemade vanilla in
- Homemade Bean Vanilla Ice Cream
- Vanilla Coffee Syrup
- Vanilla Coffee Creamer Recipe
- Homemade Vanilla Sugar
- Seasonal Potpourri Recipes
Pin these steps to try later. Tag @athomeontheprairie on Instagram to share what you’ve made with us!
Bourbon Vanilla Extract
Homemade bourbon vanilla extract is so easy to make and the flavor is so much more rich and decadent than store-bought vanilla!
Ingredients
- 5 vanilla whole beans (per bottle)
- 8 ounces of bourbon (per bottle)
Instructions
- Clean the 8 oz bottles you will be making the vanilla extract in completely.
- Cut a long slit in each vanilla bean using a sharp knife. Place 5 vanilla beans into each bottle.
- Fill each bottle all the way with bourbon and seal with lids.
- Store in a cool dark place for 6 months to about 2 years before using. Give the bottles a good shake every 2 weeks or so to help the vanilla infuse into the alcohol.
Notes
Storing - Vanilla extract should be stored in a glass bottle with a tight fitting lid. Keep the bottle out of direct sunlight to preserve the flavor.
Keep your supply up by replacing what you use with more bourbon and add an extra vanilla bean every year or so.
Substitutions - You can use rum, vodka or any kind of whiskey in place of the bourbon.
