How to Make Flavored Extracts

Flavored extracts are a wonderful way to add flavor to your cooking, but they can be expensive. They can also be difficult to find if you live in an area with limited access to specialty stores. The easiest way to build up a supply of your favorite flavors is to make the extract at home.

Things You'll Need

• Vanilla Beans
• Vodka
• Selection of spices to create other flavors

Instructions

1. Purchase high quality Vodka and whole vanilla beans. The beans can be purchased in health food stores and should be kept in a tightly sealed container to prevent them from drying out. Vanilla beans should be soft and pliable.

2. Pour one cup of vodka into a glass bottle with a cap. Be sure to leave a little head room as you will be adding vanilla beans and will need to shake the mixture as it steeps.

3. Cut 4 to 5 vanilla beans into small pieces and add them to the vodka.

4. Seal the bottle and shake to begin the infusion process.

5. Store in a cool dark place to steep the beans. Shake the bottle every three or four days to keep the mixture active. Steep the vanilla extract for two months before using.

6. Strain vanilla extract through a coffee filter when it has finished steeping and pour into a small tightly sealed bottle. There is no need to prepare the entire batch of extract. Simply prepare enough for the size container you wish to use and store it in the kitchen cupboard or pantry. Any excess extract can continue to steep in the original bottle. Remember to shake it occasionally. The longer the vanilla beans steep in the vodka, the stronger it will get. You can even top off the bottle with some fresh vodka and start the process all over again with the same beans. When you begin to notice new batches of vanilla extract is becoming weaker, it is time to begin with new vanilla beans.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't limit yourself to vanilla extracts. You can create a variety of extracts following the same procedure. Try cinnamon, nuts, ginger, cloves, and orange or lemon zest. You can even use more than one in the same batch to create your own unique blend of flavored extracts.

• Experiment with small batches until you get the flavor you prefer.

• Vanilla extract can be made right in the bottle of vodka. Simply remove 1/2 cup of the vodka and add 12- 14 vanilla beans to the bottle of vodka and follow the same procedure outlined above.

• These flavored extracts are not intended as an alcoholic beverage and should not be used as such.