Making homemade Christmas gifts is a dicey situation. On the one hand, people claim they love gifts from the heart. On the other, they’re praying that you’re not going to give them a cupcake liner wreath.
So what’s a hip, trendy gal to do?
Shut up. I am too trendy. Sort of.
If you’re me, it must start with vodka and end with groovy labels.
Homemade Vanilla Extract
You will need:
1 c. vodka
3 vanilla
beans
Step 1. Slice the vanilla beans to one inch from the top. I used scissors to make this process even more simple.
Step 2. Pour the vodka into jars. Pour a little into a shot glass for yourself. Put the vanilla beans in the jar of vodka and put a lid on it. Drink the shot of vodka, forgetting you bought the cheap stuff. I’ll hold on while you gasp for air.
Step 3. Put jar in cool, dark place for eight weeks. You might want to mark this on your calendar. Shake once a week until…
You have vanilla extract!
Please note: If you forget to shake once a week or sometimes shake it twice in one week, it won’t matter. Just give it a good shake every now and again.
Step 4. Pour into groovy amber glass bottles and finish with a label telling your favorite cooks how much you love baked goods and that you would be more than happy to help taste test anything made with said vanilla.
You’re done. How simple was that?
Optional Step 5. I took it one step further. I always do. It’s a bad habit. Add one or two fresh vanilla beans to the amber jars before pouring the extract in. Add a little note telling the gift recepients that if they add vodka to their vanilla when it’s half gone, they’ll have a never ending supply of delicious homemade vanilla.
Now your friends and family will ooh and ahh and compliment your genius. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.
About Mandy
Love. Question: Are the beans cheaper than commercial extract?
Twitter Name: msmegan
Ah. It is if you use Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Premium-Bourbon-Madagascar-Vanilla-Beans-beans/dp/B000ET4SM8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1318647029&sr=8-2
Twitter Name: in_mandyland
Question. What if you haven’t started the vanilla yet but still want to give it away for the holidays? I’m looking to make this but am wondering if I have enough time to get it all together.
You should be fine if you get it started this week. To be honest, most people you give it to aren’t going to run out and use it the next day. That might buy you a little time. ;)
Twitter Name: in_mandyland
I had no idea it was this easy—-really??
Vodka? That’s it?
The cute lables would be the hardest part for me to do. LOL
Twitter Name: erinmargolin
Mine would be not drinking the concoction on ice with a little club soda ;)
Um. Yeah. Uh. I NEVER did that. Ever. At all. Nope. (There’s a reason I made four quarts.)
Twitter Name: in_mandyland
Vodka. That’s it. And the cute labels are easy in Word. Hmm…maybe I’ll do a tutorial. :)
Twitter Name: in_mandyland
Oooo…ahhhhh…. Yup, vodka & vanilla dancin’ in the bottle together. Thanks for a great teach for a fabby li’l diy Christmas gift to make & give! :>
Twitter Name: TimeCrafted
You’re welcome! Plus? It makes great cookies. :D
Twitter Name: in_mandyland
Yum!! And now you’ve got me thinking all about vanilla vodka!
Twitter Name: momadabsurdum
Seriously. In fact…I might just have to go see what’s happening with the batch I started a couple weeks ago. A little sip for quality control.
Twitter Name: in_mandyland
Awesome! Thanks for sharing!!!
You’re welcome!
Twitter Name: in_mandyland
Genius!! Now to get some vodka and vanilla beans!
Twitter Name: DExtraordinaire
Nothing better than going through the check out line with gallons of vodka. Makes for a fun Tuesday night.
Twitter Name: in_mandyland
Have fun with it!
Twitter Name: in_mandyland
Great Post! Love the witty instructions :)
Thank you!
Twitter Name: in_mandyland
I’m doing this for myself – “they” have to find their own vanilla beans and vodka. I’m not sharing.
Twitter Name: Cookerati
Trust me…you think so now? But then…you’ll have this weird need to show people that you made vanilla extract. From scratch. And they’ll be so impressed you’ll feel like a Goddess and ponder setting up a vanilla extract temple in your honor and…
I’m sorry, what were we talking about?
Twitter Name: in_mandyland
NOT drinking the soon to be be vanilla! ;)
Seriously though, been meaning to make this for a time. The cute bottles and where to get them slips me up though. Any suggestions?
I found mine, where else, at Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Amber-Glass-Bottle-4oz-Lid/dp/B000AV16H0?ie=UTF8&tag=widgetsamazon-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969
Twitter Name: in_mandyland
Love it! I hear almond extract is the same process. I keep meaning to get started and I just haven’t yet. Thanks for the reminder!
As is mint. ;)
Twitter Name: in_mandyland
I LOVE that! Mandy, you are a true genius. Holiday shopping DONE … (once I secure amber bottles, vanilla beans and vodka …)
You never fail to amuse and teach. Thanks for being you!
I’m telling you…a little vanilla extract, a recipe card with a favorite cookie recipe…totally done. :D
Twitter Name: in_mandyland
Hmmm so if I were to quadruple the vodka…would it be vanilla vodka? Now that is a homemade Christmas gift I can appreciate!
Hmmm…I’m seeing another tutorial in the making. Hint: Keep the same ratio, but don’t let it sit as long. (30 days should do ya.)
Twitter Name: in_mandyland
I’d no idea it was so easy to make vanilla. THANK YOU for sharing this!! I am trying to go all crunchy granola in our house, making as much healthy fare as I can handle. This will be an awesome addition…good to know cheap vodka works, too…
I think vodka is the BEST addition to any crunch granola house.
The BEST, I tell you. ;)
Twitter Name: in_mandyland
I just love Mandy. She’s such a rock star. Mandy is so amazing. I can’t believe how bad ass funny she is. Mandy told me to come here and comment and because I’m scared of her glue-gun wielding self, I did.
(was that too much?)
Twitter Name: camerongarriepy
I think that was just about right.
Twitter Name: in_mandyland
You ARE bad ass funny! Hah. And I too am a little freaked out by your glue gun!
Twitter Name: mylittlegumnut
I’d be even more menacing if I could find a battery operated glue gun. At the moment, I’m only scary as long as the cord will reach.
Twitter Name: in_mandyland
Haha, now I really am glad I live on another continent!
Twitter Name: mylittlegumnut
You ARE bad ass funny! Hah. And I too am a little freaked out by your glue gun!
Twitter Name: mylittlegumnut
Thanks for the reminder. For several years I have been meaning to do this, but forget until it’s too late to do them for Christmas gifts. This is the year! Excuse me while I go order some vanilla beans…
If you start within the next couple of weeks, you’re going to be golden.
Twitter Name: in_mandyland
I am so doing this…..Mandy you are a Rock Star….
Mandy ROCKS it! she does — jus read some of her many blog posts & visit her at Mandyland… http://www.inmandyland.com/
She is the “JILL” (you know – of JACK & JILL fame) of all “TRADES”… tee! hee!
Question – where do you buy the cute little brown bottles?
You crack me up, Chris!
I got them on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Amber-Glass-Bottle-4oz-Lid/dp/B000AV16H0?ie=UTF8&tag=widgetsamazon-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969
Twitter Name: in_mandyland
What a FABULOUS idea, and a very funny post! I’ll be making these as Christmas gifts this year. Thanks!
Need to have another crack at this – the last couple of tries have prematurely ended in a shot glass.
Twitter Name: RHWKai
Keep trying. Again and again and again…
Twitter Name: in_mandyland
Why didn’t you just put it in a brown bottle from the start?
Mostly? Storage. It was easier for me to store a couple quart jars than 20 little brown jars. Also, when I transfered the extract into the smaller jars, I inserted fresh beans. I imagine you could do that with the smaller bottles, but it seemed simpler to do it this way.
Besides, I loved seeing it change color. :)
Twitter Name: in_mandyland
Thanks for such an awesome tutorial! Found you via StumbleUpon and LOVED this project so much that I highlighted you today in my Surprise Me Sunday post. I hope that my readers will enjoy it too!!
And I can’t wait until I get to poke around your site more…. love what you’re doing… and your sense of humor!
Glad to find your little corner of the interwebs!
THank you so much! I hope they enjoy it as well. :)
Twitter Name: in_mandyland
I am such a vodka elitist that I would really want to use gray goose, however, I can use the stuff that comes in the plastic bottle made in good ‘ol Springfield Ma for them and drink the goose, Er, make it with the goose for myself. I’m wondering if they sell vanilla beans at the Restaurant Depot, I would be interested in the almond as well.
I have the gifts in a jar recipes posted on my blog (which this would go awesome with) do you mind if I link this post to the category?
I don’t mind at all!
And yeah…umm…keep the goose, give away the charcoal filtered.
If it comes down to it, you can also order vanilla beans off Amazon for a really good price.
Twitter Name: in_mandyland
You are a genius, Mandy. Thatisall. ;)
Twitter Name: coolwhipmom
You’re just now figuring that out? Wow…I was hoping my laminated Mensa badge was a clear sign. Oh wait. Those DO come in cereal boxes, right?
Twitter Name: in_mandyland
Brilliant! Where has AimingLow been hiding you?!?
Can’t wait to do this! You rock!
My mom has been doing this for years! My fiance and I went to the C.I.A and we had access to wicked cheap vanilla beans ($.26/each!), and my mom’s been addicted ever since. We’re doing vanilla extract for our wedding favors (since I have my baking/pastry degree and he has a culinary one)
I love the idea of doing it as a wedding favor. SO much better than the jelly beans at mine.
Twitter Name: in_mandyland
I make mine with brandy for a deeper flavour, but I want to get some Tahitian beans and try them with vodka to let their floral notes come through more.
Love your labels.
We do vanilla vodka that we make the same way you do and then pour it over gummy bears and let that sit for three weeks.. heaven and the younger set mid 20′s who buy everything for themselves.. think, wow, you found something that is so cool for us.
You’re so smart cause your from Maryland!
I am doing this week, who knew is was so easy! I found you from Pinterest! Thanks!
Twitter Name: Deebi27