Homemade Vanilla Extract: 2 Ingredient Recipe + Free Printable Labels

Date
Dec, 01, 2015

Homemade Vanilla Extract is my most favorite gift to make for the holidays. It’s super easy, requires only two ingredients and is always well received by everyone. Plus you can dress it up any way you like with pretty ribbon and accessories! Let me show you how easy it is to make!

HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE VANILLA EXTRACT

How to Make Homemade Vanilla

This isn’t a new or revolutionary idea by any means. Homemade Vanilla recipes have been around for quite a while, and they’re all pretty much the same. What makes each one unique, however, is the type of vanilla bean you use. And of course this pretty label that you won’t find anywhere else.

I love the idea of giving homemade gifts for Christmas, and this is such an easy one to make!

supplies to make homemade vanilla

*this post contains affiliate links; you can read my full disclosure policy here*


WHY MAKE HOMEMADE VANILLA?

If you haven’t noticed, the price of vanilla extract, like everything else right now, has gone up. You could easily spend $10-$20 for a good bottle in the store. By the time you buy all your supplies, you can be making 5-10 bottles for not that much more. You can also control the strength of your vanilla when you make it yourself. The stronger you make it, the more flavorful your recipes will be!

Another great thing about making homemade vanilla is that since you keep the beans in the bottle, you can keep adding more alcohol as you use it. The vanilla flavor will keep being released for many months so rest assured your bottle will last you much longer than a store bought one.

Ingredients for Homemade Vanilla

Vodka (any vodka will do, but I wouldn’t recommend the super cheap stuff)
Vanilla Beans (5-6 per 8 oz. bottle)

Supplies for Homemade Vanilla

Bottles
Funnel
Sharp Knife

One thing to remember about making pure homemade vanilla extract, is that it takes time for the vodka to be fully infused before it’s ready to use. The recommended time is 2 months, but after a month, you can open your bottles and see how strong they smell. If you plan on making these as gifts, just make sure you let your friends and family know when you bottled them, and when the vanilla will be ready.

There are so many different types of beans you can use. I went with these Tahitian Vanilla Beans, and they smell SO good.

You want to make sure that your vanilla beans are Grade B which are meant for extracting and produce the most flavor. Grade A beans are best for cooking with. Grade B are also usually cheaper which is a plus!

STEP 1

Cut your vanilla beans in half length wise. I found it easiest to cut the actual bean in half first, and then slice them down the middle. Make sure you have a good, sharp knife; it will make this step much easier. And watch your fingers!

making your own homemade vanilla extract

STEP 2

Place the beans in your bottle once they’re cut and fill up each bottle with vodka. Place the top back on and then shake lightly.

How to Make Homemade Vanilla

STEP 3

Apply your label! You can either print them out on cardstock and attach them with some super glue or you can get them printed online as a sticker label.

Below are the PDFs that you can print out yourself at home or upload online to order stickers. I’ve included 8 oz. and 4 oz. options!

PRINT 8 oz. VANILLA EXTRACT LABELS HERE

PRINT 4 OZ. VANILLA EXTRACT LABELS HERE

If you want to print them on Avery like I did you can print the single labels below. Follow THIS LINK and under size you can enter 3″ high x 1.5″ wide for 8 oz. and 2.25″ high x 2″ wide. Then choose the Kraft Brown Paper option. Click “start designing” and then upload the PDF below!

SINGLE 8 OZ. VANILLA LABEL

SINGLE 4 OZ. VANILLA LABEL

How to Make Homemade Vanilla Extract

I finished my homemade vanilla off with a little sprig of a dried flower and this beautiful khaki velvet ribbon! The customization options are endless and the personal touches you add make it even more unique and special!

I look forward to giving away my homemade vanilla extract every year! Nothing beats a handmade gift and these are sure to bring a smile to anyone who receives it!

brepurposed

95 Comments

  1. Reply

    Sarah

    November 9, 2022

    How many beans (or halves) per bottle?

    • Reply

      brepurposed

      January 10, 2023

      5-6 whole beans per bottle!

  2. Reply

    V

    November 9, 2022

    Thanks so much!

  3. Reply

    V

    November 8, 2022

    The 4 oz label set actually says 8 oz.

    There are no sets of labels for the 4 oz bottles.

    Do you think you could fix and put them on the site?

    Thank you.

    I came here from The Nester’s newsletter.

    • Reply

      brepurposed

      November 8, 2022

      Hello! I am so sorry about that – it’s all fixed now 🙂

  4. Reply

    Morgan

    November 8, 2022

    Hi Bre! The labels under ‘PRINT 4 OZ. VANILLA EXTRACT LABELS HERE’ are actually marked with “8 oz” – possible the same size sheet with the only change being 8 Oz?

    • Reply

      brepurposed

      November 8, 2022

      So sorry about that! I updated the file 🙂

  5. Reply

    S. W.

    November 8, 2022

    Hi there, this is a wonderful gift idea! Thanks for the recipe and printable labels. The 4oz group labels are showing up as 8oz. labels when downloaded. Would you please correct the download link?

    • Reply

      brepurposed

      November 8, 2022

      You’re so welcome! I apologize – it’s all fixed now!

  6. Reply

    Candace

    January 9, 2022

    Great job on this vanilla post! Any chance you can send me a PDF with a 4oz size label? Thanks so much.

  7. Reply

    Heather

    May 9, 2020

    I would love the resized 4 oz label. I checked your etsy shop but didn’t see.
    Thank you so much.
    Heather

  8. Reply

    alexis mackeen

    November 15, 2017

    Hi There! I just stumbled upon your page as I just made vanilla and was looking for labels. I just love yours! I made a few different sizes and was wondering if I could get your label but without the “8” so I can add the number myself. thanks so much in advance 🙂

  9. Reply

    Janet

    October 14, 2016

    Love this! When you say “5 – 6” vanilla pods per bottle, are you talking the whole pod or halves?
    Thanks!

    • Reply

      brepurposed

      October 17, 2016

      Hi Janet! The whole pod 🙂

      • Reply

        Danielle

        November 24, 2017

        So for the 10pk beans you bought that made 2 bottles?

    • Reply

      Cheryl

      April 29, 2017

      If I were to make this in the summer, would it be too strong or expire if I were to give them as Christmas gifts?

      • Reply

        brepurposed

        April 30, 2017

        Nope it would be perfect!

        • Reply

          Allie Oop

          January 29, 2018

          Can you tell me what the shelf life is, from start to expiration?
          I’m so excited to try this
          Thank you

          • brepurposed

            January 31, 2018

            It doesn’t go bad!

  10. Reply

    Katharine

    September 27, 2016

    I’ll probably sound like an idiot for asking this, but does this recipe create a higher alcohol level than the store bought stuff?

    • Reply

      brepurposed

      September 29, 2016

      Not stupid at all! I’m actually not sure myself ha. I think it might be only because it literally only has vodka and vanilla beans whereas the store bought kind has some other ingredients.

  11. Reply

    MIRANDA

    September 19, 2016

    where do you find your vanilla beans? i am very interested in this! would love to start doing this on the side

    • Reply

      brepurposed

      September 20, 2016

      I got them on Amazon! There is a link to buy them in the post!

      • Reply

        Holly O

        November 9, 2017

        I get 10 Madagascar Vanilla Beans at Costco for $15.89, which seems to be about half of what they are charging on Amazon. The Costco beans are about 7 inches long. I live in VA, so the price may vary a bit by region, but it’s still got to be way better than $30!

        • Reply

          Danielle

          November 24, 2017

          They are not showing up when I search our WA store ????

  12. Reply

    Doreene

    January 26, 2016

    Do you leave the vanilla bean in the bottle indefinitely? Does that mean that they could keep adding vodka as they used it? Thanks!

    • Reply

      brepurposed

      January 27, 2016

      Hi Doreene! You leave it in there indefinitely but I don’t think you could keep adding vodka because the beans probably wouldn’t be as potent after a while. This was my first time making it though so I’m not 100% sure 🙂

      • Reply

        Ladybug730

        December 9, 2016

        Hi there, I’ve been making this for years. I occasionally add fresh vanilla beans, but I do leave all the originals ones in.

  13. Reply

    carla

    December 12, 2015

    for those who plan to make large quantities, this is a great site for bulk glass bottles. http://www.bulkapothecary.com/product/containers/glass-bottles/glass-amber-bottles-with-caps/

  14. Reply

    Bonnie Howard

    December 10, 2015

    Thank you for the post. I love the idea of making vanilla extract. I also love the labels. Would you mind telling me the name of the font used for “vanilla”. Thanks

    • Reply

      brepurposed

      December 10, 2015

      You’re very welcome! The name of the font is Jacques and Gilles 🙂

      • Reply

        Kristen Favia

        September 29, 2016

        What is the font for the rest of the label?

        • Reply

          brepurposed

          October 1, 2016

          It’s called Gotham!

  15. Reply

    Tara @ Anything & Everything

    December 8, 2015

    What a great gift idea! Your label is beautiful!

    • Reply

      brepurposed

      December 9, 2015

      Thanks Tara!!

  16. Reply

    Lucie

    December 7, 2015

    waouh Im so impressed ! I’m sure going to do this. What kind of paper do you use for the labels ? Thanks and hello from France !

    • Reply

      brepurposed

      December 8, 2015

      Thank you so much Lucie! I just printed them on some card stock and then super glued them to the bottles 🙂

  17. Reply

    Cyd

    December 7, 2015

    I love making homemade vanilla and this label is perfect!

  18. Reply

    Sarah @ Little Red Brick House

    December 3, 2015

    I looooove vanilla and these are the cutest little bottles I have ever seen! This is such a genius Christmas gift idea. Love your labels, too!

    • Reply

      brepurposed

      December 3, 2015

      Thank you so much Sarah!!

  19. Reply

    Bre @ Average But Inspired

    December 2, 2015

    These labels are ADORABLE, Bre! And I am going to sound like such a moron but I had no idea you make vanilla extract with vodka. No wonder I love the stuff! ;-P

    • Reply

      brepurposed

      December 3, 2015

      haha it’s ok I totally didn’t either!! 🙂

  20. Reply

    Laurel

    December 2, 2015

    Love this great gift idea! I have two questions – where did you find the cute little brown bottles – and what kind of glue did you use to glue the label to the bottle? ???? Laurel

    • Reply

      brepurposed

      December 2, 2015

      Hi Laurel! The brown bottles are from amazon, there is a link in the post to them 🙂 And I just used super glue to attach the labels!

  21. Reply

    Tan of Squirrelly Minds

    December 2, 2015

    Bre, this is absolutely gorgeous! I love how old school apothecary it looks. I’ve always meant to make vanilla but have never done so. I have a giant bottle right now but as soon as it’s done i’ll have to give it a go

    • Reply

      brepurposed

      December 3, 2015

      Thank you so much, Tan!! You definitely should try it 🙂

  22. Reply

    Amy | Delineate Your Dwelling

    December 2, 2015

    This is amazing! And I love the labels, so elegant.

    • Reply

      brepurposed

      December 3, 2015

      Thank you so much, Amy!!

  23. Reply

    Haeley @ Design Improvised

    December 1, 2015

    This would be such a fun gift – who wouldn’t want one of those cute little bottles on their shelf? Great idea!

    • Reply

      brepurposed

      December 3, 2015

      Right? I think I might need to make some more!

  24. Reply

    Rachel | The Crafted Life

    December 1, 2015

    Absolutely gorgeous! Will have to make these this year!

    • Reply

      brepurposed

      December 2, 2015

      Thanks Rachel!!

  25. Reply

    Melissa @ Polished Habitat

    December 1, 2015

    LOVE that label Bre!

    • Reply

      brepurposed

      December 1, 2015

      Thank you so much, Melissa!!

  26. Reply

    Lindsay Eidahl

    December 1, 2015

    Great gift idea!

    • Reply

      brepurposed

      December 1, 2015

      Thanks girl! And so easy to make!

  27. Reply

    Laurel (@abubblylife)

    December 1, 2015

    Wow, I had no idea how easy it was to make vanilla! This is awesome!

    • Reply

      brepurposed

      December 1, 2015

      SO easy!! My kind of recipe 😉

  28. Reply

    Katie @ Little House of Four

    December 1, 2015

    Oh my gosh Bre, these are beautiful and your label you created is super cute! Such a great handmade gift idea!

    • Reply

      brepurposed

      December 1, 2015

      Thank you so much, Katie!! This has been on my to-do list forever, I’m glad I finally made it!

      • Reply

        Sari

        November 8, 2016

        Hello! Any chance you would be willing to share an editable version of the beautiful you created? My bottles are only 4 oz.. Thanks so much!

        • Reply

          brepurposed

          November 9, 2016

          Hi There! If you let me know what size you need it exactly I’d be happy to resize it for you 🙂

          • Sari

            November 12, 2016

            Thanks so much!!!! Our bottles are 4 ounces, so that’s what I need to print. I am happy to make the change and send it back to you for posting. Just lmk. Thanks!!!!!

          • Liz

            December 14, 2016

            Hi Bre!! I love your labels but do you by chance have 5 oz labels? If not could you tell me how to change it so I can use them! Thank you so much!!

          • brepurposed

            December 15, 2016

            Thanks Liz! Do you want the label size to be smaller as well, or just want the 8 oz. text to be changed to 5 oz.?

          • Liz

            December 15, 2016

            If you could resize the picture that would be great! But if not I am sure it will still work! 🙂 thank you so much!!

          • Molly Ford

            October 8, 2018

            Looking for labels and came across your site. Beautiful! I too am using the 4 ounce bottles and wonder if you would resize the labels for me. Thanks so much for sharing your talents! Molly

          • Stefanie

            December 19, 2018

            I would love a smaller size for 4oz. bottles as well. Please and Thank You!

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