Homemade Salted Caramel Vodka Vanilla Extract

I started to make my own vanilla extract to save money, and I like the taste a lot better than store bought. Vanilla extract only contains two ingredients, alcohol and vanilla beans- mixed together and left to age. This recipe specifically uses salted caramel vodka but can be replaced with another alcohol to specially make the flavor to your tastes. For less than $30 you can make 25 Fl oz of extract! 8 Fl oz of vanilla extract is currently selling for $30 near me. Make 3x as much for the same price!

Supplies & Ingredients:

• 5 half- pint jars with lids and rings or any small glass airtight containers can be used

• 1 750ml bottle Pinnacle Salted Caramel Vodka ($10 at Kroger)

• 25 Split Extract Grade B Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Beans ($18.99 on Amazon)

Directions:

Line the half-pint jars up and put 5 vanilla beans in each jar. The beans come vacuum sealed from amazon. Use a pair of scissors and cut beans into 1/2-inch pieces. Pour the vodka evenly between the jars. There will be a little room left at the top, but this leaves space to shake the jar every once in a while. The extract will start turning a light brown color within a couple months. The longer it sits, the darker the vodka will turn and the more flavorful the finished product will be. I store my extract in a dark pantry cabinet and replenish with more vodka as I use the extract. Enjoy!

Some additional flavors of extract I have made: Irish Whiskey and Honey Bourbon!