Bourbon Vanilla Extract

Jun 26, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Pantry Vanilla extracts infusions Origin: Ugandan Vanilla: Beans Easy

Bourbon homemade vanilla extract made with Indonesian vanilla

Homemade bourbon vanilla extract made by steeping whole vanilla beans in bourbon. About 10 minutes of hands-on time, then at least 8 weeks to mature. Best vanilla for this: Ugandan (bold, chocolatey, smoky), or Indonesian (deep, woody, savory). Any pure vanilla works.

Prep 10 min

Cook —

Steep 8 weeks

Total 8 weeks

Yield 16 teaspoons

Diet Dairy free

Ingredients

Adjust yield

teaspoons

8.0vanilla beans, split
1.0 cup (240.0 ml)bourbon (80 proof)

Make it at home

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Instructions

Split each vanilla bean lengthwise with a sharp knife to expose the tiny seeds inside, leaving the two halves attached at one end.
Place the beans in a clean glass jar and pour in the bourbon until the beans are fully submerged.
Seal the jar tightly and store it in a cool, dark cupboard away from sunlight.
Shake the jar once a week and let it steep for at least 8 weeks; the liquid will darken to a deep amber as it develops. Longer steeping (6 months or more) yields richer flavor.
Use as needed, topping up with a little bourbon to keep the beans covered and extend the batch over time.

Tips

Bourbon's caramel and oak notes echo vanilla; a wheated bourbon gives the smoothest result.
Choosing vanilla: Ugandan vanilla (bold, chocolatey, smoky) suits this recipe best; Indonesian (deep, woody, savory) is a great alternative, and any pure vanilla works.

Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make vanilla extract?

Plan on 10 minutes of prep, then 8 weeks to steep. The recipe makes 48 teaspoons.

How should I store vanilla extract?

Store in a cool, dark cupboard. Homemade extract keeps indefinitely and keeps improving as it ages.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 16 servings this recipe makes.

12 Calories / serving

0.0g Fat

0.1g Carbs

0.0g Protein

0.0g Sugar

Whole recipe (16 servings): ~192 cal · 0g fat · 2g carbs · 0g protein · 0g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.

Per serving · 12 calories

What it takes to burn one serving

Brisk walking 2 min·0.1 mi·~250 steps
Walking uphill or incline treadmill 2 min·0.1 mi·~200 steps
Moderate cycling 1 min·0.2 mi
Swimming laps 2 min
Jogging 1 min·0.1 mi·~150 steps
Stair climbing 1 min·~100 steps
Dancing 2 min
Bodyweight circuit training 1 min
Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 3 min

Rough estimates for one serving, based on standard MET values at about 155 lb. Your own burn depends on body size, effort, and fitness. Shown for context only — food is not something you have to earn.