Homemade Bourbon Vanilla

We do a lot of baking during the holiday season. And we love to give homemade gifts for the kitchen whenever possible. This homemade vanilla bourbon is the answer for both, but it takes about a minimum of six months for it to be really good. So, while it might be hotter than Hell’s front porch right now, now is the time of year to get it started.

While it might seem like the holidays are a long way off, now is the time to make your bourbon so that it is ready for gifts and baking this winter. Images by author

The first thing you need is vanilla beans. Get good ones. We order bundles of 50 Grade-A beans from Tahiti or Madagascar online. Grade-B beans work as well, but you will need to add a few more per bottle to get the same flavor.

Use high quality vanilla beans for the best flavor.

While many people don’t realize it, the vast majority of vanilla extracts you buy and use are alcohol based. The alcohol evaporates during the cooking process, so no worries there for people of all ages to enjoy baked goods. But, if you are going to use an alcohol base, why not add a bit of extra flavor? Good bourbon is an excellent base for this project. Pick something in the 85 to 100 proof range. You don’t need an expensive whiskey for this one, but, like cooking with wine, choose something you would drink on its own. I like to use 86 proof Evan Williams for this.

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You can make vanilla bourbon in any glass bottle, but I like to pick up decorative bottles from Amazon. Anything in the 5- to 8-ounce range is perfect. If you watch, you can find bottles that come with labels and heat shrink plastic tops to make your bottles look professional.

Five to eight ounce bottles are perfect for gifts and baking.

Start by splitting the beans down the center to expose the interior of the bean.

Split the beans down the center before adding them to the jars.

Place four to six beans in each jar. If your beans are longer than your jar is tall, you can bend them in the middle to make them fit.

Place 4 to 6 beans in each jar.

Next, fill the jars with bourbon. Place the tops on each jar, label and slide over the shrink wrap, if desired, then hit it with a heat gun to make it shrink around the neck and bottle top.

Fill the bottles with a good drinking bourbon.

That’s it. Place your jars in a cool, dark spot and let them age for six months to a year before using. As the vanilla ages, it will get darker with time.

Use your homemade vanilla just like you would the little red and white bottles you buy at the market. Add it to baked goods or any recipe calling for vanilla. Add a little to cocktails or a glass of soda (for adults) for an unusual flavor twist.

Once you have used the bourbon, don’t toss the vanilla beans. Instead, pat them dry with a paper towel and add them to a container of white sugar. The beans give the sugar a nice vanilla flavor.

These make the perfect holiday or housewarming gifts with a touch of personal flavor.

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