This is after only one day. You can see it is already changing colors (it started off clear without the yellowish tint).
Each day the vanilla will get darker and in 6-8 weeks it will be a beautiful amber color.
You can purchase whatever brand of Vodka or Rum that you like.
I didn’t want to use the cheapest brand. I went moderate to higher priced liquors.
I used Starbucks Frappuccino bottles.
They are so cute and look like vintage milk bottles. The box they come in is so cute to0 so I had to use it as well.
I added 3/4 of a vanilla bean (a full bean wouldn’t fit).
I sliced down the beans so the beans inside would infuse with the alcohol.
I used two different canning jar labels to help differentiate the different kinds of vanilla.
The Mexican Vanilla Beans and The Madagascar Vanilla Beans in RUM got the glass lid canning jar tags.
The Mexican Vanilla Beans and The Madagascar Vanilla Beans in VODKA got the metal lid canning jar tags.
I added black twine from Canvas Corp to tie on the cute little labels.
I also painted the lids to help me remember the differences.
I was using two different kinds of vanilla beans and two different kinds of liquor so I can see which one we like the best.
I used frappuccino bottles to make my vanilla in but any glass bottle will work.
I used some ModPodge to cover my frappuccino boxes.
I am keeping the Mexican Vanilla in one box and the
Madagascar Vanilla in the other.
The boxes are the perfect little storage container or gift box.
The Rum Vanilla is in the black box and the Vodka Vanilla is in the white box.
Every day you shake the bottles.
Store in a cool dry place and in a few weeks you will have your own vanilla.
(do not refrigerate)
You can also use flavored liquors to create unique specialty vanilla.
I think the canning jar labels are so cute.
I covered the labels in self lamenating sheets before adding ModPodge to the backs and applying them to the boxes.
I think this would be an adorable gift for the holidays, a wedding or bridal shower, a house warming gift, birthday or just to say I care about you.
I still have enough liquor to make more bottles of vanilla. I will make a few more bottles in another month so I will have another set “brewing”.
The price break down (prices will vary depending on your alcohol choices):
Alcohol: $40 (2 large bottles one of RUM and one of VODKA 40%)
Madagascar Vanilla Beans: $7.25 (for 5 beans so I can make more in a few weeks)
Mexican Vanilla Beans: $8.25 (for 5 beans so I can make more in a few weeks)
Note: I received my vanilla beans but I am including the total cost for you.
I did not add any corn syrup like grocery store vanilla does. there is no need for it when using quality products.
–bottles–you can use bottles that you have on hand or purchase some. Even canning jars would work fine.
$55.50
Now that may sound like a lot BUT I will have @120 oz of vanilla
Purchasing 60 – two oz. containers at the grocery store would cost me $360
My homemade cookies, cakes and pastries will taste so delicious in my premium quality vanilla.
You can buy it already made directly from Beanilla–a gallon (128 oz) of Madagascar vanilla or Mexican vanilla runs $78.95 to $80.95
They also carry smaller sizes.
**note: The Federal Food and Drug Administration set specific standards on the alcohol content in vanilla. It has to be at least 35% alcohol content but there is no rules as to the quality of vanilla beans used which can change the quality and flavor of your vanilla drastically. The FDA does suggest the number of beans be @5per 8oz.
Check out what my vanilla looks like on day 8
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Hmmm. Never knew you used liquor in Vanilla. I have to try this. It would make a great gift! Does it have a shelf life or will it pretty much last forever?
Yes Jami–pure vanilla is just liquor and vanilla bean. Stores many times add corn starch because of the lower quality vanilla beans that they use but with quality products there is no need for it.
It will last forever as long as it is stored in a dry cool place.
So which one did you like better?
Christine I just made the vanilla. I will have to wait 6-8 weeks for it to finish “brewing”. I will post again in a few weeks and show how it looks.
Cheri
I am looking forward to hearing which combination you like better before I try it. What flavored kinds would you make if you were going too?
Shelisa,
There were several kinds of flavored runs. I remember coconut, mango, coffee, raspberry… I just thought some of those sounded good– Raspberry Vanilla–mmmmm!!!
I never knew this! Awesome – great way to improve the end quality of what we work so hard to bake~
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I’ve never made my own but always wanted to try! Thanks for the tutorial!
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Do you take the vanilla bean out after 6-8 weeks or do you leave it in until the vanilla runs out? I am so excited to try this!
Katy,
you can leave it in. It will not hurt at all. I do know some people will use 1/2 of the bottle and then go start another bottle. They will then refill the 1st bottle and let it sit for another 6-weeks –making it last longer. Once the quality of your vanilla tastes “watered down” I would add a new vanilla bean or you could add a half of a bean in when you refill it so it is just as strong once it has had time to “brew”. Some people will use a coffee filter to filter out the tiny little vanilla beans (not the pod but the tiny beans inside the pod) and other people just leave the tiny beans in the vanilla.
If you go to Amazon you can get amazing vanilla beans relatively cheap. I order a pkg. of 56 beans for less then 25$ they are fresh and beautiful. you should check on it if you want to do this for gifts. And if you are cutting your bean why not cut them in half to stick them in. I use two beans per jar.