Homemade Pure Vanilla Extract

 

I'm way behind to post this holiday homemade gift. Wha-what? The optimists would say I'm way AHEAD of my game for 2012 holiday gift ideas. Achiever. :)

Ingredients: Bourbon vanilla beans, unflavored vodka. That's it.

Open up the center of the vanilla beans with a knife so the vodka can infuse with the "caviar" inside. I'd recommend storing them in the dark area for at least two months before use. The color will get darker and darker naturally. DO NOT open the bottle constantly, don't let your temptation walk all over you.

When it runs low, just add a little vodka to rejuvenate the bottle. It's a gift that keeps on giving throughout the year. I have received many nice complements already. Enough said, they are 100% pure, high quality, sophisticated, elegant and thoughtful. 

You can buy the most expensive, organic, highest quality vanilla extract on the shelves, however they are all thinned down with water, sugar and color pigments, and you pay $12.99 for a 4oz bottle. (REALLY?!) 

Note: The beans are from beanilla.com, a half pound of beans enough for about a dozen bottles; I found these 8oz bottles on Amazon, and ordered customized water resistant labels separately.