How To make Vanilla Extract & More

Step 1

Cut your vanilla beans in half, then split open each half to expose the vanilla seeds on the inside of the pod.

Step 2

Place cut vanilla beans inside your glass bottle.

Step 3

Add vodka, filling up to the neck of the bottle.

Step 4

Seal tightly and store bottle in a cool, dry place.

Step 5

Every few days, tilt your bottle upside down to gently mix the liquid inside.

Step 6

After 5-6 weeks, you have extract! (If you leave in your vanilla beans, when you start running low, just add more vodka and wait a little.)

Step 7

Note: As a guide you use 1 cup/8ozs of vodka to 4 - 6 vanilla beans, depending on the quality of the beans.

Step 8

Stuff mint leaves into your glass bottle.

Step 9

Using a chopstick, skewer, or other poking device, lightly bruise/crush the leaves inside the bottle.

Step 10

Add vodka, filling up to the neck of the bottle.

Step 11

Every few days, tilt your bottle upside down to gently mix the liquid inside.

Step 12

After 5-6 weeks, you have extract! (I’m not sure if, like vanilla extract, you can just leave the mint leaves inside. Since it’s leafy plant matter which disintegrates more easily, it may be a good idea to take it out. My leaves went from a vibrant green in the beginning to kind of a dull brown by the end so I took them out just to be safe – I poured my mint extract into another container through a sieve and discarded the mint leaves, then poured the filtered extract back into the bottle.)

Step 13

Peel thin strips of zest from ½ of your orange.

Step 14

Place zest into your glass bottle.

Step 15

Add vodka, filling up to the neck of the bottle.

Step 16

Every few days, tilt your bottle upside down to gently mix the liquid inside.

Step 17

After 5-6 weeks, you have extract! (I think with citrus peels the acid (and alcohol bath), it’s probably safe to leave the peels inside the bottle like a vanilla bean for re-fill purposes. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, take it out!)

Step 18

Peel thin strips of zest from your lemon.

Step 19

Place zest into your glass bottle.

Step 20

Add vodka, filling up to the neck of the bottle.

Step 21

Every few days, tilt your bottle upside down to gently mix the liquid inside.

Step 22

After 5-6 weeks, you have extract!

Step 23

Chop your raw, unsalted almonds small enough to fit in your jar.

Step 24

Place chopped almonds into your jar.

Step 25

Note: For the almond extract, it is probably best to use, or re-use, a larger jar. Then as few as 8 almonds, which have been skinned, chopped and covered with the alcohol or glycerin in a small jar if using. I would use a larger jar and a handful of almonds, as many as you like. Cover the chopped almonds to about one inch over the ingredients and proceed. Then, when it is ready, you can strain it into smaller bottles and proceed to use the same almonds for a second batch.To skin the almonds you first blanch them. This means plunging them into boiling water for one minute exactly. Wash under cold running water until they are quite cold, then squeeze the nut out of the skin, or rub it off in a clean tea cloth.