How to Make Infinite Vanilla Extract | Easy Never-Ending Homemade Vanilla

By Rebecca St.Clair

Make a bottle of homemade vanilla extract that you can keep in your pantry that you could simply keep replenishing?

This is my favourite way to make you made vanilla extract. Infinite vanilla extract, sometimes called a mother bottle of vanilla, means you can make it once and never run out of vanilla again. It also means you will absolutely get the maximum amount of money out of your vanilla beans.

Instead of making a new batch of vanilla extract every time you run out, you keep one large established bottle going. Pour off a small bottle to use for every day baking. The vanilla beans remain in the large bottle. Every so often, you add fresh vanilla beans and alcohol to keep the large bottle always extracting the flavour.

It’s one of those wonderfully old-fashioned kitchen habits that makes so much sense for anyone who bakes regularly.

Once you’ve made your first batch and given it plenty of time to infuse, you’ll have a rich, fragrant vanilla bean extract ready for cookies, cakes, muffins, pancakes, custards, homemade ice cream, and all your favourite baking recipes.

And the best part?

You don’t have to start from scratch every time.

What Is Infinite Vanilla Extract?

Infinite vanilla extract is a continuously replenished homemade vanilla extract.

You begin with vanilla beans and alcohol and allow them to infuse together for several months. Pour off enough to use for everyday baking. Replenish the main bottle with more alcohol and periodically add fresh vanilla beans.

The original vanilla beans become part of what you can think of as your “mother” vanilla bottle, an established extract that continues to be maintained over time.

Vanilla beans eventually become spent and need to be replaced, so think of this as a never-ending or perpetual vanilla extract method.

How to Make Never-Ending Homemade Vanilla Extract

1. Thoroughly wash a large glass jar to store your “mother” vanilla extract.
2. Prepare your vanilla beans by cutting each in half to expose the seeds inside.
3. Place the vanilla beans in your bottle. (One bean for every 4oz of liquid works well.)
4. Fill the bottle with vodka, enough to completely submerge each bean.
5. Tigtly seal the bottle and store in a cool, dark spot.
6. Gently shake the bottle once a week for at least 4 months, before removing some of the extract to use.
7. Once the extract is ready, pour off some into a smaller bottle to use for everyday baking.
8. Refill the “mother” bottle with more vodka to completely submerge the beans again.
9. Continue these steps to keep your infinite supply of vanilla extract going.
10. Add more vanilla beans, if you notice the extract becoming lighter or weaker tasting. This will depend on how frequently you use your vanilla extract.

Why Make Your Own Vanilla Extract?

There are plenty of reasons to make homemade vanilla extract.

Simple ingredients

Traditional homemade vanilla extract requires only 2 ingredients. Vanilla beans + alcohol.

It’s easy to maintain

Once your vanilla is established, maintaining it takes very little effort.

It makes a wonderful homemade gift

A pretty glass bottle filled with homemade vanilla extract makes a thoughtful homemade gift for anyone who loves baking.

Expense

Real vanilla extract is expensive. When making your own vanilla extract, you will use the same vanilla beans to make multiple batches.

What Kind of Vanilla Beans Should You Use?

The vanilla beans you choose will have a noticeable effect on the flavour of your homemade vanilla extract.

There are three particularly common varieties you’ll come across.

Madagascar Vanilla Beans

Madagascar Bourbon vanilla beans are probably the best choice for a classic all-purpose vanilla extract.

They have the familiar rich, sweet, creamy vanilla flavour and are the most popular choice for making vanilla extract.

If you’re making your first batch of infinite vanilla, Madagascar vanilla beans are an excellent place to start.

Mexican Vanilla Beans

Mexican vanilla beans have a deeper, slightly spicy character. Perfect in baking recipes if you want a little extra warmth.

Tahitian Vanilla Beans

Tahitian vanilla beans have a more floral and fruity flavour. Perfect for a softer vanilla flavour but stronger smelling vanilla extract.

Can You Mix Different Vanilla Beans?

Absolutely.

Once you have an established mother bottle, you can experiment with different varieties.

You might start with Madagascar vanilla beans and later add a few Tahitian beans for a more complex flavour profile.

One of the fun things about making homemade vanilla is that you can create your own unique flavour profile over time.

What Type of Alcohol Is Best for Homemade Vanilla?

For traditional homemade vanilla extract, you’ll want a neutral spirit.

Vodka

Vodka is the easiest and most popular choice because it has a relatively neutral flavour.

It allows the vanilla beans to be the star of the show, as long as you choose a plain vodka rather than flavoured.

For homemade vanilla extract, an 80-proof vodka (40% ABV) is a common choice.

You don’t need an expensive premium vodka. A reasonably priced plain vodka works beautifully.

Rum

White rum can also be used and adds a subtle sweetness to the finished extract. Use a rum that you enjoy the flavour of.

Bourbon

Bourbon creates a richer, warmer vanilla with caramel and oak notes. This can be especially delicious in chocolate desserts, cookies, caramel desserts, and holiday baking. Make sure to use one that you enjoy since its flavour will come through in your baked goods.

Brandy

Brandy produces another lovely variation with a deeper, slightly fruity character.

My recommendation

If you’re making classic homemade vanilla extract, start with plain vodka. Especially if you are giving it as gifts. This will have a more pure vanilla flavour.

Once you have your mother bottle established, you can always experiment with other spirits.

How Many Vanilla Beans Do You Need?

A useful general guideline when starting homemade vanilla extract is approximately 1 vanilla bean per 2oz of alcohol.

What Container Should You Use for Infinite Vanilla?

This is one place where choosing the right container makes a difference.

Glass bottles or jars are best

Use a clean glass container with a tight-fitting lid.

Amber or dark-coloured glass is particularly nice because it helps protect the vanilla from light.

A clear glass bottle is also perfectly workable as long as you store it in a dark cupboard or pantry.

Look for a narrow-neck bottle

A bottle with a narrow opening can help reduce evaporation when you’re storing the vanilla.

A flip-top or screw-top bottle with a good seal will work well. Narrower bottles work well to keep the vanilla beans submerged in the liquid.

Avoid reactive containers

Glass is preferable to plastic for long-term vanilla extraction. That way you don’t have to worry about any chemicals or micro-plastics leaching into your extract.

Since your vanilla may remain in the same container for months or years, I like using a sturdy glass bottle from the beginning.

How to Make Infinite Vanilla Extract

Now for the fun part!

Step 1: Clean Your Bottle

Start with a clean, dry glass bottle or jar.

Use a bottle large enough to creat a mother bottle that you can maintain for years.

Step 2: Prepare the Vanilla Beans

Using a sharp knife, carefully split the vanilla beans lengthwise.

You don’t need to scrape out the seeds.

If necessary, cut the beans into smaller pieces so they’ll be submerged in the liquid.

Place the vanilla beans into your glass bottle.

Step 4: Add the Alcohol

Pour your vodka, or suggested alcohol of choice, into the bottle.

Make sure all the beans are submerged or they could mold.

Seal the bottle tightly.

Give it a gentle shake.

Step 5: Let It Infuse

Place the bottle in a cool, dark place, like a pantry or kitchen cupboard.

Give it a shake occasionally. About once a week.

Over time, the alcohol will draw the flavour, colour, and aroma from the vanilla beans.

The colour will gradually become darker and richer.

Wait 4-6 months before use.

How Often Should You Add New Vanilla Beans?

Instead of following a strict timetable, taste and smell your extract.

If the vanilla becomes noticeably lighter or less fragrant after you’ve added alcohol, it’s probably time to add fresh beans.

This makes your mother bottle a living pantry project that you maintain according to your baking habits.

You’ll notice the beans are spent when they are a light brown and have no little vanilla seeds inside the bean pod. These can then be removed and discarded.

Make you own or grab the labels I used here!