Learn how to make your own high quality vanilla extract.
Ingredients
500 ml vodka or bourbon
6-8 vanilla beans
A 750 ml glass jar
Instructions
Cut your vanilla beans lengthwise to reveal the fresh vanilla inside.
If necessary, cut your beans in half to ensure they will stay submerged within your alcohol.
Pour your alcohol into the jar and add your vanilla beans.
Close the jar tightly and give it a shake.
Store the jar in a dark cupboard to 'brew'.
Give the jar a good shake once each week.
After 6-8 weeks, taste the vanilla and decide if it is strong enough to start using or if you want to wait longer.
You can leave the vanilla beans in the jar to continue to enhance the flavour, or transfer them to a new jar to begin a second batch of vanilla extract.