Easy Vanilla Extract Recipe

There are a lot of recipes for making vanilla extract recipes online that simply require dropping vanilla pods into a bottle of vodka and then waiting an extended period of time for the vanilla flavor to permeate into the vodka. If you, however, would like a much quicker method that will also greatly increase the vanilla flavor of your vanilla extract, we have developed the following simple pure vanilla extract recipe through several years of experimentation.

Vanilla Extract Recipe – Using Vodka

Chop vanilla pods or vanilla beans into small pieces and then boil the cut vanilla pod pieces in a covered pot in a fluid made from equal portions of vodka and water for 5 minutes at a ratio of 3.5oz (100g) of vanilla pods per 33fl.oz (1 liter) of fluid. Let soak overnight and when cool, strain out the vanilla pieces with a very fine sieve. Sugar can then be added to taste. We suggest around 1.5oz (40g) of sugar per 33fl.oz (1 liter). The cut vanilla pieces can then be dried and ground using a coffee grinder for use as vanilla powder.

Make Homemade Vanilla Extract – Alcohol Content

Note that the optimum alcohol continent is suggested to be between 15% and 20%. At this level, the alcohol still provides the preservative effect but does not overpower the vanilla flavor. By using equal portions of vodka and water, the normally 35% alcohol volume of the vodka is reduced to 17.5%. The alcohol content contained in the vanilla extract will ensure it keeps indefinitely. Use 0.5fl.oz (15ml), which is about 3 teaspoons per 33fl.oz (1 liter) during food preparation.