How to Make Vanilla Extract and More Homemade Extracts
Once you make homemade extracts for baking, you’ll never need to buy store-bought again! With just vodka and a few ingredients, learn how to make vanilla extract and more homemade extracts (i.e. lemon extract, orange extract) for baking, with free printable labels. It’s also a great DIY gift for the holidays!
Once you make homemade extracts for baking, you’ll never need to buy store-bought again! With just vodka and a few ingredients, learn how to make vanilla extract and more homemade extracts (i.e. lemon extract, orange extract) for baking, with free printable labels. It’s also a great DIY gift for the holidays!
I don’t know about you, but when I want to find a little escape in the day, I find that there is nothing more therapeutic than baking. Between kneading a dough, whisking ingredients, and the scent of something sweet in the oven filling the kitchen, it’s easy to forget your worries. It’s no wonder that stressed is desserts spelled backward!
The chemistry of following a recipe is soothing, and you know what brings instant joy? Opening that bottle of vanilla extract and the scent of cozy that greets your nose as you add it to a batter. I go through so many bottles and bottles of vanilla extract, and I realized, it’s been a while since I made homemade vanilla extract — it was time to revisit it, given how easy it is!
But I couldn’t just stop there. Extracts made with lemon and citrus sounded like the perfect thing for spring — and since I already had a big supply vodka, well, I may as well stock up! It would be perfect for adding to Meyer Lemon Buttermilk Pudding or Lemon Spritz Cookies!
How to Make Homemade Extracts
If you’ve never made homemade extracts before, you are in for a big surprise. It is SO EASY! All you need is alcohol (i.e. 70 proof vodka, and it doesn’t have to be expensive, either) vanilla beans (or lemon zest, etc.) and time. That’s it. It makes me wonder why I buy vanilla from the store sometimes. In about 4 weeks, you will have extracts that are perfect for everything from desserts to cocktails!
While you’re at it, make some for friends and family! It’s the perfect hostess gift (especially if you’re like me, scrambling at the last minute for a gift) or DIY holiday present. I’ve made printable labels that are free for you to download and use! All you have to do is print it on a full sheet adhesive label (or simply use your favorite paper and glue), and tada!
Free Printable Labels: Homemade Extracts
Click here to download:
HOMEMADE EXTRACT LABELS
Disclosure: There may be affiliate links in the post, see my Disclosure p
How to Make Vanilla Extract (and More Homemade Extracts)
Ingredients
Homemade Vanilla Extract
- 7 vanilla beans
- 8 oz vodka 70 proof
Homemade Lemon Extract
- 1 lemon
- 8 oz vodka 70 proof
Homemade Orange Extract
- 1 orange
- 8 oz vodka
Instructions
Homemade Vanilla Extract
- Split the vanilla beans lengthwise (or cut into 1" size pieces) and place into a container (a glass bottle works best). Fill the container with alcohol, preferably vodka, and let beans infuse at least 4 weeks, shaking gently every few days. Stored in a cool dark place.
Homemade Lemon Extract
- Use a peeler to remove the rind from a clean lemon and place into a container (a glass bottle works best). Fill the container with alcohol, preferably vodka, and infuse for 4 weeks or more, shaking gently every few days. Stored in a cool dark place.
Homemade Orange Extract
- Use a peeler to remove the rind from a clean orange and place into a container (a glass bottle works best). Fill the container with alcohol, preferably vodka, and infuse for 4 weeks or more, shaking gently every few days. Stored in a cool dark place.
Notes
Nutrition
Comments
COOKBOOK
I just made the recipe 4 bottles of lemon and 4 orange. Realizing after I have 4 oz bottles ( not the 8 oz) but added the whole lemon and orange.
Am I still okay? Please advise
Thank you,
Kitty
Hi Kitty! This is fine! The benefit to using 1 whole lemon to 4 oz of alcohol is that you will shave a little time off infusing and/or you will have a stronger extract. You have control over this – after about 3 weeks, check your extract, and if you are happy with the flavor, you can strain and store it. There is a lot of flexibility, so feel free to infuse longer (between 4-8 weeks is standard).
You need 1 oz vanilla beans for 8 oz of vodka. Vanilla beans vary to much in size to give as a number of beans!
Thanks, Michelle, I will be sure to update the recipe card; I do find that in general, 7 vanilla beans is about 1 oz of beans for me!
Vanilla needs to sit for a MINIMUM of 12 months. If you’re going to post this stuff, give correct information.
I have found that with excellent quality beans, the minimum 4 weeks works, though I do agree that the longer it sits, the better.
She did give the correct information….
You can let it sit up to a year, but you don’t have to. 4 weeks minimum works well also.
What if the lemon extract is bitter.
Hi Linda, the key to making sure the extract is not bitter is to make sure you only add the yellow part of the citrus peel; the white pith is bitter, so be sure to peel the thin skin of your lemons!
Thanks for sharing! Where did you get the bottles?
Mine only set for a month, and it had great flavor.
So happy to hear that, Debbie!
I get mine at Hobby Lobby
Hi Kay, I provide the link to the bottles on Amazon in the recipe! You can also find them at craft stores and I have also seen them at Cost Plus World Market.
Do you have any recipes with the Orange extract?
Hi Mona! I do not, but I would add it to my recipes for Mandarin Orange Ginger Date Muffins, Cranberry Orange Olive Oil Cake, or Moroccan Orange Cake!
How can i make maple flavored extract
Hi Jean! I haven’t tested it yet, but I believe that if you do equal parts maple syrup to vodka, that will create a maple flavored extract. Be sure to use pure maple syrup!
Do we need to strain out the orange or lemon peel?
Hi Vikki, I like to remove the citrus peels once the extract has developed the flavor/strength I prefer!
can you use mason jars?
Hi Elaine! Yes, you can use mason jars; that works just fine!
You can get screw lids that have a pop up in it for the mason jars. Makes it easy to access. Amazon has them.
Yes, those lids make it convenient! Great tip!
What’s the shelf life on these?
Hi there! As long as the extracts are stored properly (tightly sealed and ideally, in a dark cupboard), it can last several years!
When you peel the citrus, do you have to be very careful to only get the skin and none of the white part??
Hi, Diana! Yes, I try my best to just use the peel. The white can be bitter, so I use a vegetable peeler and that works well.
Thank you so much for this! Do you need to strain the extracts before use?
Hi Brandi, you shouldn’t have to strain the extracts, but if for some reason you find that things disintegrated and you have particles in your extract, then yes, it would be a good idea. Hope that helps!
Can anyone please tell me how long I have to wait after using the vanilla then adding more vodka to my vanilla
I would wait a minimum of 4 weeks before using the vanilla extract; the longer you wait, the darker it will become, and the flavor will be more pronounced. When the extract starts to run low, add more vodka, then let it steep again for another 4 weeks before using!
I love making vanilla (and am super excited about making lemon extract now that I have this recipe)! My vanilla takes a long time…different beans seem to take longer. I have some that are a year and some 18mo. If you want to speed it up, you can cut your beans to expose the caviar inside…that may help a bit.
Great tips, Alison!! Thank you!
Can you tell me what label template you used? Thank you. And thank you for these great extract recipes.
Hi Kathleen, you’re welcome! The label template PDF is linked in the post, but here it is again for you to download: https://kitchenconfidante.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Homemade-Extract-Labels-kitchenconfidante.com_.pdf. Enjoy!
Could I fill a larger bottle, then after 4 weeks, fill smaller ones for gifts? Will the flavour keep?
I have made my own vanilla extract in the past, but never thought about incorporating citrus in it. Such a great idea.
As always, you inspire me everyday. ❤️
It makes me realize how much I want to experiment more with citrus extracts! Thank you, Ayse, believe me, I am so inspired by you, too! xo
Ever since I made my first vanilla extract several years ago, I am hooked to it. Never buy vanilla extract any more. The homemade versions are so good. You inspired me to try lemon exact :)
I agree! I forget how easy and even more delicious homemade extracts are! I can’t wait to see what you do with lemon extract, Kankana!