Homemade Aged Vanilla Extract
Homemade aged vanilla extract is a simple, two-ingredient staple made with real vanilla beans and alcohol, creating a rich, deep flavor that gets better with time—perfect for baking, gifting, and everyday use.
Equipment
- Glass jar or bottle with tight lid
Ingredients
- 5 –6 whole vanilla beans Grade B = more affordable, perfect for extract
- 1 cup alcohol:
- Vodka most neutral
- Bourbon warmer flavor
- Rum slightly sweet
Instructions
- Split the beans
- Slice each bean lengthwise to expose the inside (that’s where the magic is).
- Add to jar
- Place beans in your jar.
- Pour alcohol over
- Make sure beans are fully submerged.
- Seal + shake
- Give it a little shake to get things going.
- Store + wait (the hard part)
- Keep in a cool, dark place
- Shake once a week (or whenever you remember)
Notes
Aging Timeline:
8 weeks: usable
3–6 months: better
12+ months: deep, rich, store-quality flavor
👉 The longer it sits, the better it gets. This is one of those “set it and forget it” wins.
Pro Tips:
Top off with more alcohol as you use it
You can reuse beans once (just add fresh alcohol)
Add a new bean every few months to keep it strong
8 weeks: usable
3–6 months: better
12+ months: deep, rich, store-quality flavor
👉 The longer it sits, the better it gets. This is one of those “set it and forget it” wins.
Pro Tips:
Top off with more alcohol as you use it
You can reuse beans once (just add fresh alcohol)
Add a new bean every few months to keep it strong