Easiest Homemade Vanilla Extract Gift (The Gift That Keeps on Giving)

A homemade vanilla extract gift is one of those rare gifts that’s incredibly easy to make yet feels thoughtful and special. With just two ingredients and a little patience, you can create a rich, fragrant extract that smells and tastes like Heaven.

Whether you’re gifting it to a baker, a coffee lover, or a teacher, this DIY vanilla extract is the kind of present that gets used and appreciated for a long time to come.

Don’t forget to make an extra one so that you have this yummy goodness in your pantry too!

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Table of Contents

Why This Gift is So Special

Homemade Vanilla Extract makes a charming birthday, holiday, or anytime gift that’s:

Unique and handmade: It’s more personal and higher quality than store-bought vanilla.

Easy to make: All you need is a few minutes to put your ingredients together. You will need to give it time to sit before using it, but the actual hands-on time is minimal.

Budget-friendly: Good quality vanilla beans for this gift are an investment. But it’s cheaper than buying store-bought vanilla. Plus, you can make several at once, and the ingredients can be reused and last a very long time.

Low-maintenance: Simply store it in the pantry.

It’s useful: Gift recipients can use it for all their baked items! It enhances the flavor and saves friends and family money.

Note: You will need to let the vanilla beans infuse the vodka for 6-12 months before using. So, you can either plan ahead for this gift, or give the bottles with vanilla beans in them so that they can infuse with your recipient.

What You’ll Need

This gift is thoughtful all by itself. You don’t need to dress it up with unnecessary stuff.

Core Items:

Vanilla beans: You can find vanilla beans at most major grocery stores in the spice aisle. Or I buy my Madagascar vanilla beans on Amazon to make it super easy. Grade B vanilla beans are specifically for vanilla extract, but I use Grade A too.

Vodka: Vanilla extract is most commonly made from vodka, but you can also use bourbon, brandy, or rum if you prefer. There’s no need to splurge on expensive alcohol. (In fact, the vodka I bought is probably higher quality than it needs to be for this. All the vanilla’s flavor is from the vanilla beans, so spend your money on those.)

Glass containers: To gift it, I used Amber colored glass bottles. But you could also use mason jars, recycled glass jars, or these cute swing top bottles. I bought 4 ounce bottles, but 6 or 8 ounces would also be great if you want to give more vanilla to each recipient. Sterilizing the bottles is ideal, but I honestly just wash out the amber glass bottles and move on. (If your bottles or jars don’t have any plastic pieces attached, sterilizing them is recommended)

Optional – A Funnel: This makes pouring easier, but it’s not required. (These funnels collapse too)

That’s it! It’s crazy easy!

Optional For Gifting:

Ribbon or twine
A hole punch (I prefer to punch a hole at the top of the tag for the ribbon)
You could hang a few embellishments from it if this is a holiday gift (tiny ornaments, pinecones, or faux greenery)
Free printable tag below

Pro Tip: Try this vanilla extract in your coffee. It’s so good!

How to Make A Vanilla Extract Gift In Minutes

1. Split Your Vanilla Beans

First, use a sharp knife to slice the vanilla beans lengthwise so the seeds are exposed. Just a slit down the middle is good (you don’t need to split them completely). If the beans are too long for your bottle or jar, cut them into smaller pieces and place them inside.

2. Combine the Vanilla Beans + Vodka

Around .75 to 1 ounce (8 or so) of beans make an entire cup (8 ounces) of vanilla extract.

Here’s how to know how many beans you’ll need:

Whole vanilla beans	Jar/bottle size
2-3	4 oz
4-5	6 oz
6-8	8 oz

Pour your vodka over the beans, using a funnel if you want. (Or put your vanilla beans in your vodka bottle to infuse and pour later). Make sure the beans are fully submerged in the vodka. Shake the bottle a few times.

3. How to Store Your Vanilla Extract

Store your vanilla at room temperature, away from direct sunlight. Shake it about once every week or two. You can use it after six months, though letting it age for 12 months will give the best flavor.

If you are using the vanilla, refill the bottle with a little vodka each time. Shake well after refilling and again before each use.

If this is a homemade vanilla extract gift, tell your recipient to remove the beans after the first use. Otherwise, they may become slimy if not fully submerged.

When stored properly with the beans fully submerged, homemade vanilla extract can last for years. As long as it still smells rich and fragrant, it’s good to use. Extracts made without the beans will keep indefinitely.

If you feel like the flavor is fading over time, just remove the old beans, replace them with fresh ones, give it a good shake, and keep enjoying your vanilla. This is truly the gift that keeps on giving!

5. Write the date you bottled Your Vanilla Extract Gift

free printable tags for homemade vanilla extract gift

Writing the bottled date lets your recipient know if it has sat long enough and is ready to be used. You can also leave a little note to continue letting it infuse.

Why do you need to wait 6-12 months?

Homemade vanilla extract tastes better and becomes darker the longer it sits. It will be worth the wait! Make some today and use it 6 months from now. Wait 12+ months and your homemade vanilla will be incredible.

Free Printable Homemade Vanilla Gift Tags

This pdf file is large. So, sign up below to get the tags sent straight to you!

To use them:

Download the free printable tags.
Write the date you bottled the vanilla.
Cut out the tags. Secure them with twine or ribbon.
Attach to your jar or bottle.

Here’s the super quick version to make your vanilla extract:

Homemade Vanilla Extract Gift

Ingredients:
Vanilla beans
Vodka
Container for storing
Steps:
Slice vanilla beans lengthwise to expose seeds. Cut to fit your bottle if needed.
Place beans in a jar or bottle.
Pour vodka over beans until fully submerged.
Shake gently a few times.
Store at room temperature, away from sunlight. Shake weekly or every couple of weeks.
Use after 6 months; 12+ months gives best flavor.
Refill with vodka after each use. Remove beans if gifting or if not refilling.
Replace beans after ~1 year of frequent use for strongest flavor.

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