Amanda_Bennett
New member
It's the Holidays and I think these make really nice gifts for those people on your list that are hard to shop for or you want something more personal to give. Or just to make for yourself because you can...
Please use GLASS jars with screw on tops that fit tightly!
Shopping list:
Glass Jars
Vanilla Beans (I buy mine at the health food store, but you can get them at most grocery stores)
Booze (you can use any kind you prefer, but for a more traditional flavor choose Vodka) Please use a brand you want to drink, don't just get the cheapest you can. The better the booze, the better your extract will be.
Sanitize your jars (I run mine through the dishwasher and use the heated dry option) Depending on the size of your jars (I use a "spice" size jar about 4 to 6 ounce size) put 2 to 4 whole vanilla beans in each jar and fill with booze, seal tightly, wrap with a bow and it's ready to give. You can start using it in recipes in about 30 days but it's best after 90 days.
Let the recipients know when they use about half of it they can top off with more booze and it will continue to make extract! I have a couple of these in my pantry that have been going with the same vanilla beans for over 5 years!
For flavoring a whole bottle of booze you can add whatever DRIED WHOLE spices you like (vanilla beans, whole star anise, cinnamon sticks, cloves, etc...) and DRIED FRUITS use a combination of spices and fruits to make your own flavors! I use a combination that equals approx. 1/4 to 1/3 cup dried in the measuring cup for a whole 5th of booze. Fresh fruits don't work well for this, as you would have to keep it in the fridge and it would break down and spoil in too short a time to flavor your booze.
MAKE SURE TO POUR A DRINK OR TWO OUT OF THE BOTTLE BEFORE ADDING YOUR INGREDIENTS! I usually pour out about half the bottle into a large measuring cup or glass jar, add my ingredients to the original bottle, then top it off with what you poured out. Whatever doesn't fit back in the bottle will need to be used, I usually make these in the evenings so I can make a drink or two out of what doesn't fit back in the bottles!
Start testing the flavors after 30 days and when it gets to your preferred level of flavor strain out the spices and dried fruits, pour back into bottle and it will last basically forever. If you don't strain the spices out they will eventually over power your booze and break down leaving sediment in the bottom of the bottle.
Enjoy! If you have any questions please ask!
Please use GLASS jars with screw on tops that fit tightly!
Shopping list:
Glass Jars
Vanilla Beans (I buy mine at the health food store, but you can get them at most grocery stores)
Booze (you can use any kind you prefer, but for a more traditional flavor choose Vodka) Please use a brand you want to drink, don't just get the cheapest you can. The better the booze, the better your extract will be.
Sanitize your jars (I run mine through the dishwasher and use the heated dry option) Depending on the size of your jars (I use a "spice" size jar about 4 to 6 ounce size) put 2 to 4 whole vanilla beans in each jar and fill with booze, seal tightly, wrap with a bow and it's ready to give. You can start using it in recipes in about 30 days but it's best after 90 days.
Let the recipients know when they use about half of it they can top off with more booze and it will continue to make extract! I have a couple of these in my pantry that have been going with the same vanilla beans for over 5 years!
For flavoring a whole bottle of booze you can add whatever DRIED WHOLE spices you like (vanilla beans, whole star anise, cinnamon sticks, cloves, etc...) and DRIED FRUITS use a combination of spices and fruits to make your own flavors! I use a combination that equals approx. 1/4 to 1/3 cup dried in the measuring cup for a whole 5th of booze. Fresh fruits don't work well for this, as you would have to keep it in the fridge and it would break down and spoil in too short a time to flavor your booze.
MAKE SURE TO POUR A DRINK OR TWO OUT OF THE BOTTLE BEFORE ADDING YOUR INGREDIENTS! I usually pour out about half the bottle into a large measuring cup or glass jar, add my ingredients to the original bottle, then top it off with what you poured out. Whatever doesn't fit back in the bottle will need to be used, I usually make these in the evenings so I can make a drink or two out of what doesn't fit back in the bottles!
Start testing the flavors after 30 days and when it gets to your preferred level of flavor strain out the spices and dried fruits, pour back into bottle and it will last basically forever. If you don't strain the spices out they will eventually over power your booze and break down leaving sediment in the bottom of the bottle.
Enjoy! If you have any questions please ask!
