Comments on: Homemade Vanilla Extract

By: Sam Merritt

Sam Merritt — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 18:07:00 +0000

In reply to nicolette fourman. Hi Nicolette! Sorry I missed this! I just sent an email over for you. :)

By: nicolette fourman

nicolette fourman — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 22:09:45 +0000

Hello Sam,
I tried to edit the vanilla label but am not having any luck.
I would like to change the vodka to Bourbon.
Is there anyway you would be willing to do this and include it here? Or can you please let me know how to change the text. I made some with vodka and some with Bourbon.
Thank you!
Nikki

By: Sam Merritt

Sam Merritt — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 01:09:21 +0000

In reply to Craig. Hi Craig! They do not dissolve. :)

By: Sam Merritt

Sam Merritt — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 00:56:26 +0000

In reply to Helene Cayer-Marwood. Hi Helene! You will need it to sit in a cool, dark place for 90 days before using. :)

By: Craig

Craig — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 23:11:43 +0000

I’m curious as to the beans in the jar, do they desolve?

By: Helene Cayer-Marwood

Helene Cayer-Marwood — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 17:59:51 +0000

When is the vanilla ready to use. Sorry, if I missed the info.

By: Sam Merritt

Sam Merritt — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 03:41:08 +0000

In reply to Angela. Hi Angela! I just snip down the beans. I don't recommend topping it off any more because if you use it too quickly it can dilute the vanilla too much. :)

By: Angela

Angela — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 14:53:10 +0000

Can i ask, having made the vanilla extract once I start to use it do I snip down the beans or top up the alcohol. How long can i continue to do this for.

By: Jeffrey L. Barker

Jeffrey L. Barker — Fri, 28 Nov 2025 14:47:18 +0000

In reply to Teresa. I ordered vanilla beans online, much cheaper than what the stores were selling. got them from Madagascar

By: Jeffrey L. Barker

Jeffrey L. Barker — Fri, 28 Nov 2025 14:45:03 +0000

I made vanilla extract a couple years ago with your recipe, love it!

By: Teresa

Teresa — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 18:27:42 +0000

Sounds great. Next time I go to the store I will be getting me some vanilla beans and making vanilla extract.
Thanks for sharing

By: Melanee

Melanee — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 14:58:10 +0000

I have been making vanilla for 20 yrs and she is right on for this. I order a pound and make several 1.75 litre vodka bottles. Then put in a dark cupboard and shake weekly. I don’t use whole beans but snip into tiny pieces.I also refill with more vodka. I sometimes use white rum or need grain free vodka made from potatoes. Very rewarding to know it’s not made with any sticks or mold in it.

By: Emily @ Sugar Spun Run

Emily @ Sugar Spun Run — Fri, 27 Dec 2024 21:25:43 +0000

In reply to april. We're so glad it's helpful, April! We'll have to try that

By: april

april — Fri, 27 Dec 2024 19:59:49 +0000

I appreciate the recipe! Sometimes I finely chop my vanilla beans/muddle them with the vodka. It makes the extraction process go by very quickly. <3

By: Sam

Sam — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 12:24:18 +0000

In reply to Jbird. I think I would be putting them in a jar away. :)

By: Jbird

Jbird — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 00:41:29 +0000

Thank you Sam for that information. Someone offered to sell me a 5 pack of Madagascar vanilla beans purchased from Costco but the exp date is august of 2025. I’m not familiar with the shelf life of vanilla beans but I would want to use them in making gifts. I was hoping you’d know if that’s too close of an exp date for something that could be sitting for months after that (although soaking in vodka). Thanks!!

By: Sam

Sam — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 01:25:30 +0000

In reply to Jbird. I would recommend keeping the beans submerged in the liquid as much as possible. I personally wouldn't remove the beans as the flavor will continue to infuse, but yes the flavor that is already there will remain. :)

By: Jbird

Jbird — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 00:11:57 +0000

Hi!
After the 3 month brewing period when I use the vanilla, Suppose I do not top off the bottle but snip the beans as I use the vanilla. As long as the beans are submerged will they be ok? Also suppose I used half the bottle then tossed the beans. Would the already infused flavor remain?
Thank you!

By: Sam

Sam — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 18:03:16 +0000

In reply to Stephanie Schmidt. Hi Stephanie! I never remove mine, but I do like to keep them submerged so as I use up the liquid I bend them down or cut them.

By: Stephanie Schmidt

Stephanie Schmidt — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 16:56:15 +0000

In reply to Sam. Once the recipe has aged appropriately, don't need to remove the vanilla beans from the bottle, or don't just leave them in there?

By: Sam

Sam — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 12:47:35 +0000

In reply to Carol Martin. Hi Carol! I would probably use 3 beans per 6 oz bottle to make sure you have enough flavor. :)

By: Carol Martin

Carol Martin — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 03:41:22 +0000

Thank you for this, and all your recipes. Can you tell me how many 6 oz bottles I can make with 10 vanilla beans? Would that be 3 bottles, or would 4 be pushing it too much for less flavor?

By: Sam

Sam — Fri, 04 Oct 2024 13:47:34 +0000

In reply to Carolyn. Oh of course! Sorry! Yes I actually just added one in the equipment section. I just use full sheet sticker paper and cut out the labels. If you don't see it you may need to clear you cache to get the page to reload with the change. :)

By: Carolyn

Carolyn — Tue, 01 Oct 2024 21:04:02 +0000

In reply to Sam. Thank you! Sorry, I should have clarified- do you have a link to the exact labels you used to print on?

By: Sam

Sam — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 14:35:27 +0000

In reply to carolyn. You can buy paper that you can print on and peel the back off to stick it to things. :)