Update
This is my vanilla extract after three months. Although it was already this dark after just two months, I just never got around to taking a picture. :lazy: I've used it several times and it's amazing!
Pure vanilla extract is ridiculously expensive and often times hard to come by in Scandinavia, so I decided to have a go at making my own.
Here's what you need:
6 vanilla pods/beans
500 ml/2 cups vodka
Split the pods like so
Stuff them in the bottle
Put the bottle in a dark cupboard and let sit for a minimum of 8 weeks. It will get darker and the flavor will become stronger the longer you allow it to sit.
Yves Saint Laurent
very cool! Vanilla beans are sooooo expensive
1ummmmm.....i had NO CLUE vanilla extract was made with vodka?
2Me neither, Aud, until I looked it up online. You can use rum or brandy if you prefer.
Kiwi, the pods/beans cost me €2.90 a piece at the supermarket but I have since found them cheaper online.
3Wow they are pricey there too!! I wonder if they are cheap anywhere LOL!
4Very neat! I didn't know it was made with vodka either.
5You can get vanilla beans online for around a dollar a piece at some places.
6I will have to look!
7Wow interesting.. vodka hahaha.. I guess it kind of makes sense considering how that stuff tastes on its own
8Not that I've ever tasted it or anything
9Had no idea there was vodka in them! Very cool idea to make it yourself...
10Yep, if you look on the back of a bottle of good quality vanilla extract, you will see the following ingredients: water, ethyl alcohol, sugar, and vanilla bean extractives.
11OMG, that's it? Very cool. And I'm curious to know if it tastes better than the store bought kind.
12I'll tell you in a couple of months.
13Karma is a extractaholic
14oops
an not a
15Lisa you are drunk! Admit it!
GO
sober up with a huge cup of coffee and a big ol BOB 
16Awesome! If you leave the vanilla beans in for a shorter amount of time, say 1 week, than strain them out you will have an excellent homemade vanilla vodka. Mix with coke and let your happy hour begin!!
17Party, in the winter we add vanilla vodka to hot apple cider.
18I'd be making lots of vanillatinis!
19I have done this before and it really works.
20Oh! I'm making mine tonite. Hope it gets done enough for Christmas!
21That should be plenty of time kiddylnd. Mine is already a deep amber color and it's only been 4 weeks. I'll post an updated photo in another 4 weeks.
22Yeah! It was really fun to do. My problem is I'm the anxious type who can't wait for things to be done.
23How great it worked out so well. I meant to try this and forgot all about it.
24HOw great!
25I've been using the beans from http://www.saffron.com/vanillalowprice.html ever since I got on an ice cream making binge a while back. Great quality and the price is insanely good. They're based here in San Francisco- driven by (never been in) before.
26I'm curious to see how it tastes, let us know, I imagine it's delicious
*Thank you. My real name... is plain... Jane Jones. (Alice - Closer)
27Very cool!
28Oh wow. My world has been rocked. I cannot wait to try this out. Very cool.
29WOW!! How cool is this?? I hearted this link right away. Great idea...im off to try it myself!
30do you just keep the beans in there indefinitely (they don't get gross and mold or anything)?
31This is awesome! Never knew it was so easy. I am definitely going to try this.
32thanks - i will try this with various alcohols and see how it comes out with adding it to baking and with cocktails! i've made 'vanilla sugar' from the pods, but this gets more essence out. i had a friend do this with various frozen berries soaking in vodka, but that was just for drinking and the berries got funky after awhile.
33Ya know Pokka, I'm not really sure but I would think the alcohol would preserve the beans. I'll get back to you on that one.
I plan on doing this again and giving small bottles of it as gifts.
34Thanks for the update, I bet this tastes delicious!
35It does Yum! I'm going to continue making my own from here on out.
36Wow...looks yummy! I am gonna have to try this...and I love the idea of giving it as gifts. (I use vanilla vodka w/root beer to make an adult float...yum.)
37Thank you so much for posting this. I never even considered making it on my own. Pure vanilla extract is so expensive that I use mine sparingly and use imitation stuff the rest of the time. I think you have inspired me. I am going to make some of my own thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!!
38This does sound very cool. Me wants to try!
39My pleasure Suebree!
I hope you enjoy it.
40So neat!
41If one reads the label on pure vanilla extract;it says it is 35 percent alcohol. That amounts to 70 proof. Vodka is 80 to 151 proof. This is simple to make.Use cheap vodka.
42I've been making my own vanilla in this way for a couple of years. And, so far I just occasionally throw in a vanilla bean and refill the bottle (I use a smaller decorative bottle). If I run across a recipe that calls for the seeds of a vanilla bean, I fish out an old one and scrape that. Works great.
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