Homemade Bourbon Vanilla Extract

Name: Homemade Bourbon Vanilla Extract
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 28 d 5 min
Yield: 750 ml bottle
Ingredients: 20-30 fresh Madagascar vanilla beans; 750 ml bourbon whiskey

User Reviews

5.0

15 reviews

Excellent

Prep Time
5 mins
Additional Time
28 d
Total Time
28 d 5 mins
Servings
750 ml bottle
Calories
2 kcal
Course
Side Dish
Cuisine
American

Homemade Bourbon Vanilla Extract

Shannon Lee

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In minutes, you can start your own homemade Bourbon Vanilla Extract. Two simple ingredients are all you need to make this gourmet extract: real bourbon whiskey and vanilla beans.

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Ingredients

Servings

20-30 fresh Madagascar vanilla beans plump (Grade A or B)
750 ml bourbon whiskey I used Buffalo Trace a non-GMO bourbon, use your fave

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Instructions

I recommend sterilizing your bottles or jars before using them. This can be done by boiling them in a stock-pot of water for 10 minutes, then carefully remove them to a clean towel to dry completely.
Using the tip of a sharp knife slice the vanilla bean gently lengthwise, stopping just before you get to the end.
Place desired number of sliced vanilla beans into the bottle of choice, snip your beans in half if the alcohol doesn't cover the entire bean as this will prevent mold.
With funnel placed on top of the bottle, slowly pour your alcohol over the beans until they are covered and bottle is full. *Tip: If your funnel isn't flowing, simply lift it slightly off the mouth of the bottle breaking the seal and allow it to flow easily. Place on lid and tighten, shake passionately for a minute.
Write date started on the bottom or side of the bottle, using chalk or metallic marker as well as type of vanilla.
Once your vanilla no longer smells of the spirit you used and smells instead like vanilla it is ready!

Equipments used:

Notes

If you decide to place all of your beans into a large bottle of bourbon, you may have to pour a little off before placing the beans inside, as the volume will increase and may cause the bottle of overflow.
As you use your bourbon vanilla extract, replace what you use with additional bourbon, or wait until your beans are exposed and add enough bourbon to cover up once again. The latter method requires the mixture to sit for another 4 weeks or so to infuse.
How often should I replace my vanilla beans?
I typically remove my old beans once every 12-18 months and replace them with new beans, but it will not hurt to keep the beans in the liquor as long as they stay submerged.
Don't forget to print your free printable bourbon vanilla labels here!