Skip to main content

Homemade Vanilla Extract

 The process to make homemade vanilla requires vodka.   Here is how I make ours.





1 cup vodka (I use a good quality brand, organic)

5 organic vanilla beans, cut in half and sliced open

Place the ingredients into a glass jar, and shake.  Keep in a dark, cool location, and shake often, letting the jars infuse for several weeks.  Strain and store in amber bottles to use for baking.


I buy my vanilla beans online, but they have gone up in price like everything else.  Some stores offer organic vodka, while others do not. I use good quality vodka for the making of our vanilla extract.

Homemade vanilla extract makes a nice homemade gift. You can buy amber bottles online, or at some health stores, and add a homemade label.

Homemade Vanilla Extract  ©  March 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Labels:

Comments

Leigh said…
I really should try this. I keep vodka in the pantry for making herbal tinctures, so all I'd have to get is some vanilla beans. The price is probably why I haven't done it before! But I have noticed prices starting to come down, so I'll have to check again and maybe do this.
March 28, 2025 at 5:46 AM
Pioneer Woman at Heart said…
Leigh, I have found prices to be expensive in stores. I bought mine online, but I have plans to check some, bulk stores for organic vanilla beans too.
March 28, 2025 at 6:44 AM
Betsy said…
I bought some wonderful vanilla in Cozumel a few years ago when I was on cruise with a friend. It is so delicious and wish I could get more without going there. :-)
Thak you for checking on me. Life has been crazy and I think I just needed a break to concentrate on Mom. I didn't even open my laptop for a few weeks.
Blessings,
Betsy
March 28, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage said…
What is a good vodka? I wouldn't know one if someone poured it on my head!
March 29, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Pioneer Woman at Heart said…
Betsy, glad you hear you are doing well. Sounds like the vanilla in Cozumel is made very well.
March 31, 2025 at 6:35 AM
Pioneer Woman at Heart said…
Far Side of Fifty, I've been making our vanilla since about 2015 I think.
March 31, 2025 at 6:36 AM
Pioneer Woman at Heart said…
Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage, in most cases the alcohol is cooked out when baking. The cheapest may affect the flavor of the vanilla.
March 31, 2025 at 6:37 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Horsetail Salve ~ A "first" this Year

We purchased some horsetail salve to try last year.  It is said to help with severely dry, cracked skin.  My husband was the first to try it, with very, very dry and cracked hands from work. He loves it!  He joked I could not have it back.   I started the infused, horsetail oil the last part of March. Something I learned:   horsetail is also called shavegrass. I infused horsetail in oil, and strained it.  I then made horsetail salve.  I remembered to label my jar with what oil(s) I used, so I can journal this all in my "Herbal Remedies" journal.  I often forget to write the oil used. Now, the one we bought, has more in it than I put in ours, as far as ingredients (the purchased salve had lanolin, and aloe).  We'll see if ours works just as good.  I added the sage essential oil, and vitamin E oil. A "first" time experience for us this year.    I bought the larger tins at a seed store in an Amish area last year.  They a...
6 comments
Click here to read the entire story »

New Recipe Tried and other Bits

  I tried a new granola recipe and boy it's good.  First, it's a recipe from Mennonite Girls and Cook, and called "Backpack Snacks" online.  It calls for granola, so I used my homemade granola that we love.  Picture is the dry ingredients. Second, I pressed the final mixture into a 9 x 9, parchment lined baking dish instead of rolling it into balls.  The color of these photos are all different, because of the time of day, and how dark the house was from the thick Canadian smoke that was still outside at the time. These cut very nicely, and were very good, straight from the refrigerator.  It was hard to eat just one of them.  I will be making this again, and switching out the peanuts with walnuts, and switching out the raisins with dates.  Oh my!  The binder is honey and peanut butter. These are perfect for your hiking days, camping, your grandkids, or just for snacks when you want one. The rain arrived thank goodness, and washed the smoke in...
10 comments
Click here to read the entire story »

Chit Chat

  The pickings are slim right now, but we'll take anything we are blessed with.  I made a salad and cleaned the beans.  The rain will give us more for a meal in a day or so.  The green beans are every so slowly coming on this season. I made a batch of homemade granola, and instead of my homemade vanilla extract, I used my homemade Christmas Spice Extract.  It smelled so good in the oven, and while cooling.   I picked some purslane, and am doing an experiment with it this time.  Update soon.   Chit Chat ©  August 2026 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart
14 comments
Click here to read the entire story »