Author: Tina @ Just Putzing Around the Kitchen
Recipe type: DIY
Prep time: 5 mins Total time: 5 mins
Yields: Varies
Homemade Vanilla Extract
- Vanilla Extract (single 4oz bottle)
- 3 whole vanilla beans
- Vodka (You can also use bourbon)
Cut your vanilla beans in half, then split open each half to expose the vanilla seeds on the inside of the pod.
Place cut vanilla beans inside your glass bottle.
Add vodka, filling up to the neck of the bottle.
Seal tightly and store bottle in a cool, dry place.
Every few days, tilt your bottle upside down to gently mix the liquid inside.
After 5-6 weeks, you have extract! (If you leave in your vanilla beans, when you start running low, just add more vodka and wait a little.)
Add vodka, filling up to the neck of the bottle.
Seal tightly and store bottle in a cool, dry place.
Every few days, tilt your bottle upside down to gently mix the liquid inside.
After 5-6 weeks, you have extract! (If you leave in your vanilla beans, when you start running low, just add more vodka and wait a little.)
Mint Extract (4oz)
- ½ cup mint leaves
- Vodka
Stuff mint leaves into your glass bottle.
Using a chopstick, skewer, or other poking device, lightly bruise/crush the leaves inside the bottle.
Add vodka, filling up to the neck of the bottle.
Every few days, tilt your bottle upside down to gently mix the liquid inside.
After 5-6 weeks, you have extract! (I’m not sure if, like vanilla extract, you can just leave the mint leaves inside. Since it’s leafy plant matter which disintegrates more easily, it may be a good idea to take it out. My leaves went from a vibrant green in the beginning to kind of a dull brown by the end so I took them out just to be safe – I poured my mint extract into another container through a sieve and discarded the mint leaves, then poured the filtered extract back into the bottle.)
Orange Extract (4oz)Add vodka, filling up to the neck of the bottle.
Every few days, tilt your bottle upside down to gently mix the liquid inside.
After 5-6 weeks, you have extract! (I’m not sure if, like vanilla extract, you can just leave the mint leaves inside. Since it’s leafy plant matter which disintegrates more easily, it may be a good idea to take it out. My leaves went from a vibrant green in the beginning to kind of a dull brown by the end so I took them out just to be safe – I poured my mint extract into another container through a sieve and discarded the mint leaves, then poured the filtered extract back into the bottle.)
- 1 large navel orange
- Vodka
Peel thin strips of zest from ½ of your orange.
Place zest into your glass bottle.
Add vodka, filling up to the neck of the bottle.
Every few days, tilt your bottle upside down to gently mix the liquid inside.
After 5-6 weeks, you have extract! (I think with citrus peels the acid (and alcohol bath), it’s probably safe to leave the peels inside the bottle like a vanilla bean for re-fill purposes. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, take it out!)
Lemon Extract (4oz)Add vodka, filling up to the neck of the bottle.
Every few days, tilt your bottle upside down to gently mix the liquid inside.
After 5-6 weeks, you have extract! (I think with citrus peels the acid (and alcohol bath), it’s probably safe to leave the peels inside the bottle like a vanilla bean for re-fill purposes. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, take it out!)
1 large lemon
Vodka
Peel thin strips of zest from your lemon.
Place zest into your glass bottle.
Add vodka, filling up to the neck of the bottle.
Every few days, tilt your bottle upside down to gently mix the liquid inside.
After 5-6 weeks, you have extract!
I know people are going to ask, so:
Bottles – 4oz Boston Round Glass Bottles from Specialty Bottle
Labels – Avery Removable Multi-Use Labels, Kraft Brown, 1.125 x 2.25 Inches, Pack of 24 (40151)
Ribbon – Offray Spoolo Ribbon (White) from Michael’s
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