Homemade Extracts

Homemade Extracts Recipes

Ingredients:
Vanilla Extract:

2 vanilla beans, cut in half lengthwise and then chopped
1/2 cup vodka
1/4 cup water

Lemon Extract

1 lemon
1/2 cup vodka
1/4 cup water

Orange Extract

1/2 navel orange
1/4 cup vodka
1/2 cup water

Peppermint Extract

1/2 cup fresh chopped peppermint leaves
1/2 cup vodka


Directions:

To make an extract, combine the ingredients in a 1/2-pint Mason jar
and set aside to steep. Each recipe can be stored anywhere and should
keep for up to a year.

Vanilla Extract:

Using a sharp kitchen knife, cut a lengthwise slit down the middle
of each vanilla bean. Cut vanilla beans into 1/2 - 3/4-inch pieces.
Pour vodka into your container. Add vanilla beans to container and
shake. Wait and shake. It will take 30 days for the vanilla extract.
Once each day, vigorously shake the container for 30 seconds. Once
the 30 days has finished, strain the liquid through coffee filter
or layers of cheesecloth.

Lemon Extract :

Thinly peel 1 lemon with a vegetable peeler taking care not to
include any pith. Dice the peel (about 2 Tbsp) and combine it with
vodka and water. Set aside to steep for at least 3 days. More is
better.

Orange Extract:

Thinly peel 1/2 navel orange with a vegetable peeler taking care
not to include any pith and cut the peel into chunks (about 1 1/2
Tbsp). Combine with vodka and water. Set aside to steep for at
least 3 days. More is better.

Peppermint Extract:

Fill container 1/2 full with vodka, add 1/2 cup fresh chopped
peppermint. Fill rest of way with water and let stand for 3 weeks.
Pour through strainer, cheesecloth, or coffee filter to remove solids.