Step 1

You will need 4 to 5 vanilla beans, ¾ cup vodka (7.6 ounces or ½ pint) and a clean, dry glass jar or bottle

Step 2

Now slit the vanilla beans and halve them into two using a knife. You can also slit and then chop them in small sticks.

Step 3

Add them to a clean glass jar/bottle and then pour vodka. Shake the jar lightly. The chopped vanilla beans needs to completely immersed in the vodka. Cover tightly with the lid and keep in a cool dry place.

Step 4

Once in a week shake the jar. Let the vanilla beans to steep in the vodka for at least a month. The more you keep longer, the better and potent the flavors will be.

Step 5

After a month or so, you can also strain the extract. The vanilla beans can be pat dried and then added to a sugar jar or container to get vanilla flavored sugar.

Step 6

When the vanilla beans are soaked for a month or so, you will see the transparency of vodka changes to a deep dark brown color. Later add the homemade Vanilla Extract as required to your bakes and desserts. You can keep the extract at room temperature or refrigerate it.