Vanilla contains a lot of alcohol-soluble flavors that are commonly drawn out to make vanilla extract. Making homemade vanilla vodka is easy and a great way to bring the calming and flavor-enhancing properties of vanilla to your mixed drinks.
Ingredients:
1 pint sized jar or resealable bottle
4-5 Tahitian vanilla beans or bourbon vanilla beans
1 cup of good quality vodka
2-3+ weeks of steeping time
A note on which beans to use: though either variety of vanilla bean can be used, the one you choose can affect the flavor of your finished alcohol. Tahitians tend to be fruitier and more aromatic, while bourbons have a richer, deeper flavor.
Directions:
1. Pour the vodka into your container.
2. Add vanilla beans. Using whole beans will infuse flavor into your alcohol while leaving the beans intact for later use. Splitting one or more beans down the middle (we like to split at least one) will speed the flavoring process, but likely keep you from reusing that bean (how to scrape a vanilla bean).
3. Close the jar or bottle and let it sit in a cool, dry place for 2-3 weeks (we recommend writing the date you made it on the outside, so you’ll remember when to test).
4. Taste your vodka periodically to see if it’s to your liking. Once your desired strength has been reached, remove the vanilla beans and either use them in something else, or put them in another container of vodka to make more (though the second batch may take longer or end up weaker).
Variations:
• Try using a different alcohol: bourbon is a common choice because of the vanilla-like compounds it already naturally contains.
• Make vanilla simple syrup instead: Steep scraped vanilla pods in simple syrup for another way to bring vanilla into your mixed drinks. This method has the added benefit of being useful in non-alcoholic applications (how to make simple syrup).
Related Posts:
Chili Vodka Recipe
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I scored some bourbon vanilla beans from you at the Will Bake For Food Sale (what a steal… are you kidding me??) and am so excited to make my own vanilla vodka. I have been wanting to buy a lower shelf vodka and try running it through a charcoal filter two or three times (which I have read makes it as good as Grey Goose or similar) and then infusing it with vanilla.
Also must try the Vanilla Bourbon. Vanilla Manhattan here I come!
This is actually a good use for when your beans have dried out. They can live on in your drink!
Also, if you reverse the ratio (more beans, less booze) you have the best vanilla extract… try it.