Step 1

Place 1 1/4 cups water and 1 vanilla bean in a blender and blend until the vanilla bean is pulverized, about 45 seconds. Pour through a fine-mesh strainer into a small saucepan and press down on the solids to extract every last drop.

Step 2

Add 2 cups granulated sugar and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt to the saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until sugar is dissolved, 3 to 5 minutes. Pour into a clean bottle or jar and let cool completely before covering and refrigerating.