I promise I’m not turning this blog into a food blog, but I couldn’t resist sharing this super easy DIY gift that’s perfect for Christmas: Homemade Vanilla! Plus you get a super cute printable to go along with it 🙂 This stuff smells absolutely amazing and lasts a long time. I kept a bottle for myself and use it in all my baking.
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, but I’m not about to repurpose a piece of furniture for all my loved ones. Sorry guys. Ain’t nobody got time for that. Vanilla was a much easier choice.
*this post contains affiliate links; you can read my full disclosure policy here*
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
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 Madagascar Bourbon beans, and they smell SO good.
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!
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.
STEP 3
Then cut out your pretty labels, glue them on and you’re done. Told ya it was easy! I printed my labels out on some pretty kraft colored cardstock and glued them on using super glue which held up great!
I can’t wait to give these little guys away as gifts this year! You can also print out some of my free holiday gift tags to use to wrap them up!
UPDATE: My bottle of homemade vanilla extract lasted almost 3 years. I’m not a frequent baker but I do bake from time to time and I was surprised how long this lasted me!
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 🙂
Love this! When you say “5 – 6” vanilla pods per bottle, are you talking the whole pod or halves?
Thanks!
Hi Janet! The whole pod 🙂
So for the 10pk beans you bought that made 2 bottles?
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?
Nope it would be perfect!
Can you tell me what the shelf life is, from start to expiration?
I’m so excited to try this
Thank you
It doesn’t go bad!
I’ll probably sound like an idiot for asking this, but does this recipe create a higher alcohol level than the store bought stuff?
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.
where do you find your vanilla beans? i am very interested in this! would love to start doing this on the side
I got them on Amazon! There is a link to buy them in the post!
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!
They are not showing up when I search our WA store ðŸ˜
Do you leave the vanilla bean in the bottle indefinitely? Does that mean that they could keep adding vodka as they used it? Thanks!
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 🙂
Hi there, I’ve been making this for years. I occasionally add fresh vanilla beans, but I do leave all the originals ones in.
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/
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
You’re very welcome! The name of the font is Jacques and Gilles 🙂
What is the font for the rest of the label?
It’s called Gotham!
What a great gift idea! Your label is beautiful!
Thanks Tara!!
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 !
Thank you so much Lucie! I just printed them on some card stock and then super glued them to the bottles 🙂
I love making homemade vanilla and this label is perfect!
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!
Thank you so much Sarah!!
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
haha it’s ok I totally didn’t either!! 🙂
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
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!
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
Thank you so much, Tan!! You definitely should try it 🙂
This is amazing! And I love the labels, so elegant.
Thank you so much, Amy!!
This would be such a fun gift – who wouldn’t want one of those cute little bottles on their shelf? Great idea!
Right? I think I might need to make some more!
Absolutely gorgeous! Will have to make these this year!
Thanks Rachel!!
LOVE that label Bre!
Thank you so much, Melissa!!
Great gift idea!
Thanks girl! And so easy to make!
Wow, I had no idea how easy it was to make vanilla! This is awesome!
SO easy!! My kind of recipe 😉
Oh my gosh Bre, these are beautiful and your label you created is super cute! Such a great handmade gift idea!
Thank you so much, Katie!! This has been on my to-do list forever, I’m glad I finally made it!
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!
Hi There! If you let me know what size you need it exactly I’d be happy to resize it for you 🙂
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!!!!!
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!!
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.?
If you could resize the picture that would be great! But if not I am sure it will still work! 🙂 thank you so much!!
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
I would love a smaller size for 4oz. bottles as well. Please and Thank You!