In minutes, you can start your own homemade Bourbon Vanilla Extract. Two simple ingredients are all you need to make this gourmet extract: real bourbon whiskey and vanilla beans.
This DIY project is a great gift for the foodie in your life. Plus I share free printable bourbon vanilla labels to make your gift look professional!
Now is a great time to start thinking about easy gifts from the kitchen, and Homemade Bourbon Vanilla extract is the ideal gift to give your cooking friends; after all, who doesn’t bake a few cookies or cakes every now and then?
I enjoy giving precise details in my recipe posts to lead my readers through any questions. If you’re just here for the printable recipe, use the Jump to Recipe to head straight there!
Access the Free Labels by clicking the button below
A window will open where you pop in your email address, and I’ll send you the link to the free, printable gift tags in an email.
Print on Avery 64502 2″ Waterproof Round Labels
Print on 65# Kraft Paper or #65 cardstock cut out using 2″ Round punch
Cut out by hand
Click the ABOVE button to access printables.
Never run out of Bourbon Vanilla Again
What I love about making my own vanilla extract is that once you make your initial investment, the costs are truly tiny! Simply top off the bottle of vanilla off once the vanilla beans start to show. A few splashes of bourbon is all. And maybe once a year, pop in a new vanilla bean or two.
What is Bourbon Vanilla Extract?
There is a lot of confusion over this name, historically Bourbon Vanilla extract contained extract made from Madagascar bourbon vanilla beans, specifically from the Ile Bourbon, or what is now called the island of Réunion. Most assumed that the vanilla was made with Bourbon Whiskey, but that was not exactly the case.
Current-day Bourbon Vanilla can be made with any alcohol, as long as it is also made with Madagascar bourbon vanilla beans.
Today we are using real bourbon whiskey in this homemade bourbon vanilla extract recipe, along with Madagascar vanilla beans.
Best Bourbon Vanilla Extract Ingredients + Supplies
- Approximately 6-10 Grade A or B vanilla beans per 16 oz of spirits
- For this recipe we’re using Bourbon Whiskey; I like Buffalo Trace as a medium price point, and non-GMO bourbon (source)
- Use a minimum of 70 proof / 35% alcohol.
- Make directly in the bottle or pour into separate, tight-sealing clear glass bottle, love the dispensing cap on these! Other bottling options; swing top, boston round or a rounded swing top.
- While it isn’t always necessary, I recommend sterilizing your bottles or jars before using them. You can do this by boiling them in a stockpot of water for 10 minutes, then carefully removing them to a clean towel to dry completely.
- A small funnel.
- A sharp-tipped knife, this is my all-around most favorite and most versatile knife!
- Patience! You need a minimum of 4 weeks for ok results; 12-16 weeks is better, and 6 months best; however, one year is Ultimate! Besides, the longer it “brews” the darker, richer and more full-bodied it will become!
Store-bought varieties use a colorless, flavorless alcohol such as vodka, it’s less expensive and works beautifully, see my post on Homemade Vanilla Extract using Vodka + Gift Giving Ideas for instructions on making your own regular vanilla extract.
I find bourbon makes a smooth vanilla extract that elevates recipes to a gourmet level like this Cherry Bomb Cocktail!
Bourbon Vanilla Extract has become my new personal favorite, since bourbon has a rich, smooth caramel essence on its own, therefore when infused with vanilla beans it offers a sumptuous well-rounded flavor.
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How To Make Homemade Bourbon Vanilla Extract
Homemade Bourbon Vanilla extract could not be easier!
- I recommend sterilizing your bottles or jars before using them. This can be done by boiling them in a stock-pot of water for 10 minutes, then carefully remove them to a clean towel to dry completely.
- Simply pour bourbon in small bottles or make a big bottle by placing vanilla beans directly into the bottle of Bourbon.
- Using a sharp knife, slice lengthwise a fresh soft vanilla beans open, so the seeds are exposed and can fall out in the extract.
- I keep my beans whole (but slit open), but you can also cut them into segments, it’s a matter of choice, if you are rushed for time in brewing, then cut into segments.
- Then add beans to each bottle of bourbon or all of them to a large bottle.
- Place lids on the bottles. Shake gently, placing the bottle in a dark cupboard, shaking once weekly or so.
How Long Does it Take to Make Bourbon Extract?
Physically making bourbon vanilla extract takes minutes, but infusing takes time, and anything worth having is worth waiting for, right?
However, if you are planning on giving bourbon vanilla extract as gifts this holiday season, you need to get going! It takes a month for the flavors to infuse properly, and as Ina Garten says, 6 months is best! And when Ina talks, we listen! *wink-wink*
Not to be bossy, but purchase your ingredients now and take 5 minutes to put them all together. It’ll do the work for you. Don’t forget to write your “brew” date on a tag.
Ways to use Bourbon Vanilla Extract
- Replace regular vanilla in any recipe
- WOW people by using in craft cocktails, or desserts like this Tiramisu
- It would taste amazing in this Brown Butter Skillet Cookie.
- Delicious in traditional Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies – Ah-mazing!
Let me know how you plan on using this delightful flavoring.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does Bourbon Vanilla Extract Last?
Forever if you take care of your extract! Follow these tips!
- Make sure your vanilla beans are always covered with the liquor, so they don’t mold or dry out.
- Once you see the vanilla beans above the extract, then pour additional bourbon to cover, shake and you are ready to go.
- If you follow these tips, you should never run out of vanilla.
- Once a year, add a couple of new vanilla beans to the bottle (remember to split them or cut them into pieces). Replace all of the beans once every 18 – 24 months.
That’s it! I hope you will try this and make some for family, co-workers, and friends this year because it’s an amazing gift that keeps on giving!
For gifting ideas, labels and more, visit my post on DIY Vanilla Extract.
Like this recipe?
Don’t forget to give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating and leave a comment below the recipe!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 20-30 fresh Madagascar vanilla beans plump (Grade A or B)
- 750 ml Bourbon Whiskey I used Buffalo Trace a non-GMO bourbon, use your fave
Instructions
- I recommend sterilizing your bottles or jars before using them. This can be done by boiling them in a stock-pot of water for 10 minutes, then carefully remove them to a clean towel to dry completely.
- Using the tip of a sharp knife slice the vanilla bean gently lengthwise, stopping just before you get to the end.20-30 fresh Madagascar vanilla beans
- Place desired number of sliced vanilla beans into the bottle of choice, snip your beans in half if the alcohol doesn’t cover the entire bean as this will prevent mold.750 ml Bourbon Whiskey
- With funnel placed on top of the bottle, slowly pour your alcohol over the beans until they are covered and bottle is full. *Tip: If your funnel isn't flowing, simply lift it slightly off the mouth of the bottle breaking the seal and allow it to flow easily. Place on lid and tighten, shake passionately for a minute.
- Write date started on the bottom or side of the bottle, using chalk or metallic marker as well as type of vanilla.
- Once your vanilla no longer smells of the spirit you used and smells instead like vanilla it is ready!
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Notes
Nutrition
Janice
This is the recipe worth searching for, thank you!
Thank you so much Janice!
Debra Parker
Is it normal for my homemade bourbon vanilla that I put up for a year to still smell like bourbon. I made it before with vodka and I could smell the vanilla, this time I used a very good bourbon and it still smells like bourbon. Any help will do, thank you!
Hi Debra, Yes, it’s totally normal for your bourbon vanilla to still smell like bourbon, that’s the whole reason behind using it but it should have a pleasant vanilla undertone. That’s the whole reason they use vodka in regular vanilla is the vanilla is very forward, since the vodka doesn’t have a strong smell or taste. I hope that helps!
Bree Parnell
I have signed up twice for these printables and never got the email. Is there a trick to this? Can you send the file?
Hi Bree so sorry about that, sometimes they just get stuck. I’ll be at my computer in a minute and will send them directly to you.
Amanda P
Hi! Love this simple recipe and gift idea! 🥰 I’m wondering if after it’s sat long enough and is vanilla extract is it ok to remove the beans completely before pouring into smaller gift bottles? Or do the beans need to remain? I just don’t want them to have to worry about the beans going bad if they don’t add more alcohol. Thanks so much!!! I can’t wait to try it!
Amanda
Hi Amanda, you can absolutely remove the beans! I hope you try and and love it!
Maureen Pramanik
Hi Kathleen,
I am now preparing to make the bourbon vanilla and have questions. Would crushing the small beans inside the vanilla bean cause problems? I noticed in your previous response to Shirly, that it seems as if you can put too many vanilla beans in a bottle (in accordance with the chart?). Earlier you seemed to imply that the vanilla would get better with age, as you said it would get better after 6 months then still improve after one year. When would I need to add more beans to maintain the flavor? Also, at this point, should I just replace them?
Thanks so much for reaching out, I usually don’t crush them, but you can chop them into pieces and even place a slit down one side to help release the beans, I don’t believe it would cause any problems at all, even if you crush them. And no, I don’t think you can put too many, though at some point there will be more beans than liquid, so finding a balance is good. I’ve had mine going since 2017, I refresh it about once a year, sometimes if I use a bean in a recipe, I will save the pod and pop it into one of my bottles. I wish there was a way to tell when you need to replace them, I think in 7 years, I’ve only replaced all the beans in one of my extracts, but I don’t think it’s necessary. Sometimes I take out a few and replace it with as many as I’ve taken out. I hope that all makes sense, please let me know if you have more questions. Happy brewing, Kathleen
Leah Ortloff
When you say refresh do you have multiple bottles going? Trying to figure out how refreshing works.
Hi Leah, as you use the extract you can add a little bourbon every time or wait until the beans are exposed and then add bourbon. But then it’ll need to sit for a couple of weeks. I do have a couple of bottles going so one is always ready.
Shirley George
If you use the little bottles in the photo above how many beans would you put in the bottle?
Hi Shirley, I made it in a large bottle and then transferred. If you want to use the little to start, I’d use 1 large -2 smaller beans per bottle.
Jennifer Stewart
Definitely making this as holiday gifts!
Erin
We made these to give out as gifts for the holidays, and they were a smashing success. This tutorial is easy to follow with helpful tips, and also–the vanilla is fabulous!
Sandra Shaffer
So excited to try bourbon vanilla extract. I have vodka based extract melding right now. I will add this version to my arsenal of homemade extracts!
Debi
This smells fantastic. I just mixed it up. It’s a great way to use up some of that whiskey someone left at my house too.
Haha, love it!! Yes, that is a fabulous way to use up left behind whiskey!! Thanks Debi!
Eric
Hello Kathleen,
A local coffee shop makes a Lexington coffee drink I enjoy and has both house-made bourbon reduced and house-made vanilla. Do you still taste/smell the alcohol from this recipe after any infusion period?
Thank you,
Eric
Hi Eric, I think I would enjoy that coffee house! Since I use it like I use any vanilla, which means just a teaspoon or so in a baked good, cocktail or mocktail. So while you still smell and if you were to drink it it would probably taste like vanilla bourbon, the purpose of it is more as a “flavoring”. If that makes sense. I just sniffed mine, and it smells of a wonderful deep bourbon and vanilla smell, but not overly bourbon-like! Let me know if you try it!
Susan P
I’ve seen many posts of people making their vanilla extract in an Instant Pot for speedier results. They’ve done tests and can tell no difference to the shelf made extract.
Hi Susan, no reason not to try then, I just haven’t — old fashioned that way. I do have a link to a gal who has instructions on how to make it using an IP. I did have one friend try that method and liked it, but found a lot evaporated. Let me know how it goes!
Tasia ~ TwoSugarBugs
I definitely need to start a bottle of this bourbon vanilla!! Love the easy instructions!
Thanks Tasia! You won’t regret it! Make a cocktail with it, wowzer