How To Make Vanilla Extract

I've been holding off on this post for awhile since this was our Christmas gift to our Family this year: 30 bottles of home made vanilla extract!
We really wanted to do something for everyone and with a limited budget, we wanted what we did to be home made and usable.
This fit the ticket at about $6.00 per bottle.

You'll be able to find tons of "how to make vanilla" resources online but I thought, why not add one more? ;)

Supplies

Cooking Shears (or clean scissors)
Funnel
Vanilla Beans
Vodka (Costco: Sky Vodka is $20 per bottle. I needed 2)
Glass Bottles with Lids

Step 1:

-Cut each vanilla been in half
-Cut each half down the middle to tip of stem leaving about 1/2 to 1 inch at the end
*make sure each bean is left connected at one end

Step 2:

-Divide the split vanilla beans amongst the bottles
(I put 4 half, split beans in each bottle)
-Pour the vodka over the split beans through the funnel
-Seal & Shake
-Store in a cool, dry place
*Allow extract to cultivate for 2 months taking the bottles out to shake them a couple of times during their fermenting process.

And so you've done it!

In 2 months, you'll go from this:

To this:If you want to know some alternative uses for vanilla, check this out, too!

And one last little tip:
Have your labels printed through a professional printer and on water-resistant paper to prevent the drips from usage ruining the look of your gift!Enjoy!