I like to brew my own vanilla. It sounds way more complicated than it actually is. Really, all you need is time, patience and two ingredients – vodka and vanilla beans. I’ve made vanilla in all sorts of bottles over the years, but I prefer these 8.5 ounce swing bottles I bought off Amazon. You can get clear or amber glass (more commonly recommended for vanilla).
For the vodka, buy the absolute cheapest you can find (70-90 proof) and a large bottle of it since it keeps forever. And for the beans, you can buy either grade A or B – the biggest difference between the two types, aside from cost, is the appearance. Grade A is more oily and grade B is more dry. Both can be used to make vanilla but know that if you use grade A, you’re paying for slightly more water. For this latest batch, I bought grade A because that’s all our local store had. But I typically buy grade B.
Once you make your own vanilla, you’ll never buy it from the store again. It tastes 100x’s better homemade and cost efficient! They make a great gift for friends and family too!
Homemade Vanilla
Ingredients
- Vodka
- Madagascar vanilla beans (they are sold by weight, so I usually try to get about 6-10 beans per bag)
Directions
- Chop three beans into 1/2 slices – don’t split the beans. Add the bean pieces to each 8 ounce bottle.
- Fill bottle with vodka using a small funnel. Cover tightly. Repeat with additional bottles.
- Shake everyday for at least 2 months. The longer the beans brew, the better the taste.
- Enjoy your vanilla in everything from baked goods to coffee!
Hi Julie. It’s Ellen. Question: My mom wants to make vanilla. I see that you make it in smaller individual 8 oz bottles. Is that approach better than brewing it in one big vodka bottle and separating later or does it not matter?
Hi! Either way will work. Just add more beans so it balances the flavor if you make a bigger batch that way. She’ll love doing this! I haven’t bought vanilla in years!!