I'm making my own vanilla. It's so easy. The most difficult part is waiting for it to mature. I got the idea from one of my very favorite blogs....StoneGable. It's a delightful combination of inspiring ideas for decorating, tablescapes, recipes, crafts and just sheer beauty.
This is the link to her directions, but take the time while you're there to treat yourself to a visit. StoneGable
You need a pint of vodka, three vanilla beans, and a container. That's the recipe. With a sharp knife, split the pods through the length and add them to the vodka. That's it. Store in a cool dark place and shake once in a while. I've googled "making homemade vanilla" and all the directions are pretty much the same. The recommended waiting time varies from 2 to 6 months. Yvonne at StoneGable says 4 to 6 months. The initial investment is a little high (vanilla beans are a little expensive), but when you compare the high cost of a little tiny bottle of vanilla to the fact that you won't have to buy any for years, it's certainly worth it.
My vanilla is now about 3 weeks old and you can see how dark it is already. I recycled a sparkling water bottle. I'd like to find or make a label for it yet.
