Why Make Your Own Extracts
Good quality extracts can make such a difference in cooking! Baking sugar cookies? Vanilla is wonderful, but add some almond extract and now you really have a special treat. Or a touch of orange extract in the frosting on a chocolate cake. Oh, my!
Pure extracts can be pricey, but you can easily make them at home for much less. Package them in attractive jars, and you have a unique item for gift giving.
Below are 6 simple recipes to get you started. All of them use vodka. I prefer a brand that is GMO-free – I used Absolut brand for my extracts. It’s made from deep well water and winter wheat grown in Sweden (where GMOs are not allowed). When I was last in the liquor store I also spotted some organic brands of vodka.
The Extract Recipes
Vanilla extract
- 1 ounce vanilla bean pods, split down the side (where to purchase)
- 1 cup vodka
Combine the vanilla beans and vodka. Cover and store in a dark area for 6 – 12 months, shaking occasionally. Remove the beans if desired, and bottle in an attractive jar for gift giving.
For high quality vanilla extract, read Make Your Own Quality Vanilla Extract.
Mint extract
- 1/2 cup mint leaves, torn
- 1 cup vodka
Combine the mint leaves and vodka. Cover and store in a dark area for 1 – 2 months, shaking occasionally. Remove the mint leaves by straining, and bottle in an attractive jar for gift giving.
Almond extract
- 1 cup organic bitter apricot kernels (where to purchase)
- boiling water
- 1 cup vodka
Pour boiling water over your kernels to blanch them; let them sit for 45 – 60 mins. Remove the skins.
Combine apricot kernels and vodka. Cover and store in a dark area for 2 – 3 months, shaking occasionally. Remove the kernels by straining, and bottle in an attractive jar for gift giving.
Orange / Lemon / Lime extract
- peel of 5 – 6 oranges, lemons, or lime (use the higher amount for the smaller fruits) with the pith removed. The easiest way to do this is to peel the fruit with a vegetable peeler.
- 1 cup vodka
Combine the citrus peel and vodka. Cover and store in a dark area for 1 – 2 months, shaking occasionally. Remove the peels by straining, and bottle in an attractive jar for gift giving.
Chocolate extract
- 6 Tablespoons raw cacao nibs (where to purchase)
- 1 c. vodka
Combine the raw cacao nibs and vodka. Cover and store in a dark area for 1 – 2 months, shaking occasionally. Remove the cacao nibs by straining, and bottle in an attractive jar for gift giving.
Coffee extract
- 4 Tablespoons crushed coffee beans (use a mortar and pestle, or a coffee grinder but be sure to just pulse so that you don’t actually grind the coffee)Â (where to purchase)
- 1 cup vodka
Combine the coffee beans and vodka. Cover and store in a dark area for 1 – 2 months, shaking occasionally. Remove the coffee beans by straining, and bottle in an attractive jar for gift giving.
Ideas for Using Extracts
Vanilla
You’ve used vanilla in hundreds of recipes already; here are a few more:
Mint
Coconut and Avocado Grasshopper Bars
Almond
Homemade Vanilla Almond Ice CreamÂ
Orange / Lemon / Lime
Gluten-free Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Orange FrostingÂ
Add lime extract to homemade salsa
Chocolate
Use in any chocolate dessert; it will enhance the flavor.
Coffee
Dairy-free Chocolate Coffee Pudding
What extracts have you made? How have you used them?
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Cathy says
I’m always using vanilla extract but never thought of making my own before – what a great idea 🙂
Susan Vinskofski says
I hope you try some of the other flavors, too!
Mrs. D says
I don’t like to keep alcohol around, so I guess I’ll just stick with the store bought extracts for now. I know they have alcohol, but I don’t have to go buy a big bottle and then have it around…
Susan Vinskofski says
Thanks for stopping by, Mrs. D! You know what’s best for your own household, I’m sure!
Sue says
You don’t have to buy a big bottle. Buy a small bottle, I have one that is 200 ml. That’s barely a cup. In Canada they are found near the cash at the liquor store.
Susan Vinskofski says
Yes, I’ve seen those; I use too much for that to be worthwhile, but it’s a good idea if you only need a small amount. 🙂
Kristel Wiesner says
For a while my daughter used homemade vanilla extract as perfume. That reminded me of when I was a teen and Love’s Fresh Lemon spray was the rage. When my bottle of Love’s Fresh Lemon ran out I remember making my own with lemon rind and rubbing alcohol.
I never thought of making my own almond extract. That’s a great idea for Christmas gifts!
Susan Vinskofski says
Kristel, what a fantastic idea! I love it, and plan to try it.
teresa says
I love the smell of lemons!! plz tell me how you made the lemon purfume???
Liz S says
How long do they last after they’re made? I would assume a long time, but is there a time that it will go bad? It probably wouldn’t have time in my house, but not all my friends and family cook as much as I do. 🙂
Susan Vinskofski says
Hi Liz, As long as the extracts are stored in a cool, dark place, they should last indefinitely.
donna says
How much does each extract produce? I love the idea of the lime!
Susan Vinskofski says
Hi Donna, Each recipe produces about a cup of extract.
D says
Super! Thx
Jessica says
I just wonder, will doubling or tripling the recipes work as well? So you can combine the ingredients in a larger jar while it sits for several months and then you can put it in nicer bottles when you go to give it for a gift. Just wasn’t sure if it would take double or triple the time to be ready if you combine it all together. Do you know by chance?
Susan Vinskofski says
Hi Jessica! Yes, you may double or tripe the recipes without any problem. It shouldn’t increase the time at all.
Carol says
Love making extracts. Love to make them and add them to herbal medicine concoctions to make them taste better!
There will be a line up for these gifts!
Thanks for sharing!
Annie says
Was wondering what kind of alcohol is used in store bought extracts ? Can it be that much different than vodka.
Susan Vinskofski says
Hi Annie, I really don’t know what they use, but I believe you are correct. It is likely similar to vodka.
Jean says
I was wondering if you had a recipe for butterscotch extract. I would like to try to attain the flavor in my cookies without using actual chips.
Susan Vinskofski says
Hi Jean, no I’m sorry, I’ve never made butterscotch extract. Have you tried googling homemade butterscotch?
Tracy says
Has anyone tried making ginger extract?
Susan Vinskofski says
I haven’t but that sounds wonderful, Tracy!
Nancy Rigsby says
Have you ever made spearmint extract ? If so what recipes would you use it in? I ask because I currently have spearmint growing and thought it might be a good starting point for me.
Thank you,
Nancy
Susan Vinskofski says
Hi Nancy! You would make spearmint extract exactly as I’ve described for mint extract, and would use it in the same types of recipes. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Leslie says
Have you made a butter extract? Love the almond extract Idea
Susan Vinskofski says
Hi Leslie, no, I’m not familiar with butter extract; I wouldn’t have any idea how to make it!
Janet says
I can’t wait to make them. I bought almond extract and it evaporated. No problems with this?
Susan Vinskofski says
I haven’t had any problems with evaporation. I do use a jar with a tight fitting lid.
Michaele says
I’d like to make an apple extract and a corn extract. I don’t know if I’d need whole apples or peels. Any ideas for making these? On a low carb diet apples and corn are not allowed but there are great faux recipes with the right flavorings. The problem is these flavors are expensive!
Susan Vinskofski says
Hi Michaele, I’m not familiar with either of these extracts, so I’m afraid I have no advice for making them. I hope you can figure it out!
T Lewis says
Michelle,
I’ve never heard of apple or corn extracts, but my mother in law makes a zucchini “apple” pie that tastes exactly like apple pie. (no really, I didn’t believe her that it was made with zucchini the first time she made it for me)
(Here’s a recipe: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/12356/zucchini-apple-pie/)
You could play with the recipe and make something akin to baked apples that will likely fit your diet for when you’re craving apples.
Terri says
I have a question. How long with these extracts keep on the shelf. I would like to let the people know that I give them to as gifts since I think it’s a question they will ask.
Susan Vinskofski says
Hi Terri, because of the vodka, the extract will keep indefinitely. Enjoy!
Sharon says
Hi! I am trying the almond extract. I used the vodka you suggested. After 2months in a dark cabinet , it still smells more like alcohol than almond .
Should I change out the almonds? Any other suggestions?
Susan Vinskofski says
Yes, Sharon, that should help. You could also try coarsely chopping them.
Debbie says
Any idea on how to make butter scotch extract?
Susan Vinskofski says
Thanks for stopping by, Debbie. I’m afraid that I don’t have any information on making your own butterscotch extract – it definitely sounds amazing!!!
Rose Marie Felton says
I have made several vanilla extracts, a lemon extract, coffee extract and a mint extract. The vanilla always goes into my baked items or my ice creams. The other extracts I use them in various ways including adding a little to my tea.
Susan Vinskofski says
Using in tea is a great idea; thank you for sharing that idea!