Monday, January 17, 2011

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!

8 comments:

  1. Allegra that is seriously amazing. I am impressed! Thanks for sharing with us!

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  2. This is soooo neat...thank you for stopping by my blog bc now I've found yours
    I love to use vanilla and what a great gift idea
    im so excited:)

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  3. Legs - I'm so so SO in love with the fact that I have one of those bottles. It is so fabulous, thoughtful and PERFECT gift.

    YOU are a creative goddess, queen, czar - and I'm always SO inspired by you.

    LOVE YOU! xoxo

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  4. What a great idea girlie. Who doesn't love vanilla??

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  5. I am in LOVE with your idea! Thanks for the how to.

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  6. What a wonderful idea...so cute and fun!sandy toe

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  7. Where did you print and what size are your labels? Thanks!

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  8. Thanks for the fascinating idea. My wife and I use Infinity Jars for the vanilla extract. The jars keep the extract fresh for a long time.
    http://infinityjars.com/collections/vanilla-bottles

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