Pure Vanilla Extract
Make your own Vanilla Extract.
Be prepared, it will take 6 months steeping time to produce Pure Vanilla Extract, but it is worth it!
Before you start you will need to order a few things. Look for small amber colored glass bottles with secure lids. You will need 25-30 of them for this recipe. Try and order bottles that come with a small funnel. You will need the small funnel to fill the bottles so you don’t spill the Extract. If the bottles come with labels as well, that is a bonus!
You will be removing the top and stopper from a Vodka bottle so you will need to have a secure fitting replacement or you can transfer the Vodka into another dark or amber color glass bottle of the same size. You can order various size corks or bottle stoppers online or just look around your pantry. You may have a cork or top from another type of bottle that will fit.
Next you will need to get Vanilla Beans. For my Pure Vanilla Extract recipe, I only use: Grade B Madagascar Vanilla Beans. These types of Beans produce the BEST Extract. I try to order them from a reputable gourmet import company, that only grows their crops naturally and they include expiration dates and lot numbers.
PURE VANILLA EXTRACT
Ingredients:
- 1.75 Liter Skyy Vodka
- 20 Grade B Madagascar Vanilla Beans
Directions:
1. Remove the cap, metal seal wrap, and the pour spout or stopper from the Vodka bottle. For this size/type of bottle, the stopper has 4 tabs on it. The tabs need to be bent down or removed. This is not easy to do, so go slow and don’t use anything sharp like a knife because if it slips, you can stab or cut yourself. Once the tabs are bent away from the bottle neck the stopper will turn and with a twist and a pull, it will come right off. The cap will not go back on, once this is done. You need to find a cork or bottle stopper that fits air tight to replace it. I found that the cork from an avion tequila bottle fits perfect. You can get various size corks on amazon however. If you prefer, you can transfer the Vodka to another dark bottle that has a secure top, it must be a dark or amber color bottle to protect the Vanilla from the light .
2. Remove about 1/2 Cup of the Vodka from the bottle. Save it for later, to make a cocktail!
3. Slit each Vanilla Bean slightly, but do not cut all the way through. Transfer the Vanilla Beans into the Vodka bottle. Insert the new bottle stopper or cork securely. Give the bottle a gentle shake.
4. Store the bottle in a cool dark place for 6 months. Shake the bottle 2 or 3 times a week.
5. After 6 months, transfer the Pure Vanilla Extract into 25 amber glass 2 ounce bottles. Add a label, to identify the Extract. This Pure Vanilla Extract is great for gift giving.
Recipe by: Hot Dish Homemaker
