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A picture with a bottle of bourbon, yellow flowers, vanilla extract showing how to make homemade bourbon vanilla extract recipe.

Homemade Bourbon Vanilla Extract Recipe

This Homemade Bourbon Vanilla Extract Recipe is VERY easy and comes together with 2 simple ingredients and less than 5 minutes of hands-on time! It is a great way to save money while creating the best homemade vanilla extract with high quality ingredients!  
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Resting time 180 days
Total Time 180 days 10 minutes
Course ingredient
Cuisine American
Servings 8 ounces
Calories 74 kcal

Equipment

  • bottle with lid
  • funnel
  • knife and cutting board

Ingredients
  

  • 6-8 vanilla beans
  • 8 ounces bourbon

Instructions
 

  1. Using a sharp knife, split the vanilla beans lengthwise.  I do not cut all the way through, but rather just the top layer and then spread the bean open. 
  2. Use the back of the knife or a spoon to scrape the vanilla bean seeds out of the pod. Pour the pods and seeds into the bottle using the funnel. 
  3. Top the bottle off with alcohol, leaving ½ inch of head space. Seal the bottle and let it sit in a dark cupboard for as little as 6 weeks, but 3-6 months is better.
  4. Store it in a cool dark place. Once the homemade Madagascar bourbon vanilla is ready, use it in any recipe that calls for vanilla extract! 

Video

Notes

HOW TO STORE HOMEMADE VANILLA EXTRACT

  1. Store the bottle out of direct sunlight.  
  2. If you don't go through vanilla quickly, choose smaller bottles to minimize the extracts exposure to oxygen.

HOW LONG DOES HOMEMADE VANILLA EXTRACT LAST?

The vanilla extract takes time to infuse.  I treat it like I would a bottle of liquor and keep it in the cupboard away from direct sunlight.  
Alcohol has a shelf life of 20+ years, and vanilla extract is the same.  It preserves the vanilla beans, so there is no degradation.  

TOP TIP

I like to start a batch of homemade vanilla in late summer or early fall to give as Christmas gifts! I love using 8 ounce bottles for this.

Nutrition

Calories: 74kcalCarbohydrates: 1gFat: 1gSodium: 0.3mgPotassium: 1mgIron: 0.01mg
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