Best Homemade Vanilla Extract Ingredients

Best Homemade Vanilla Extract Ingredients
posted 24 July 2019

For a 6 oz bottle, use 5 long (6 inch) Madagascar Beans, plus just under 6 oz of liquor, to meet qualifications of FDA for single strength vanilla extract. 

I tested these vanilla extracts in 3 categories, doing several tests in each category. I always tested all 7 head to head:

1. First, I tested the vanilla extracts with "sweet cream" ice cream - which is vanilla ice cream with no vanilla. I added the extracts to it to make vanilla ice cream. I used my favorite brand, a super premium, McConnell's, out of the Oakland area, sold in local stores and Whole Food Markets.

2. Secondly, I experimented with French toast, which is better with vanilla extract.

3. Third, with Scrambled eggs. The vanilla extract was whisked into and cooked with egg and milk, fried in a pan with butter.

The brands of the spirits used were the most highly recommended in each category per several lists of magazine reviewers and taste-testers - 2 corn vodkas, rye vodka, potato vodka, white rum, bourbon.

6 of the 7 batches were 3 to 4 months old when tested. Those batches will be better after a couple years. 

1 of the 7 batches was 2 years old. That was the winner, using Costco vodka. Grade A. It tastes very similar to Grey Goose, and may be Grey Goose. 

(Note that extract works at 6 weeks old, but is much better at 6 months, and better at two years old.)  

The most accurate test came from using with scrambled eggs, per the following formula:

1/2 T (tablespoon) vanilla extract

1 T whole milk

1 egg

1 T butter in skilled.

RESULTS WITH SCRAMBLED EGGS and also with French toast:

1. Costco's vodka (likely Grey Goose), resting in glass jar with vanilla beans for 2 years. Grade A ALL THE REST BELOW WERE TESTED WITH SPIRITS ONLY 3 TO 4 MONTHS OLD:
2. Grey Goose vodka (corn). Grade A-
3. Titus vodka (corn). Grade B-/B
4. Monopolova Vodka (potato). Grade C+
5. Bellvue Vodka (rye). Grade C
6. Captain Morgan's White Rum. Grade C-/C
7. Maker's Mark Bourbon. Grade D (even using 1/2 the amount of the others, it tastes bad for extract. Using the same amount as the others makes it horrible).

RESULTS WITH SWEET CREAM ICE CREAM (which lacks vanilla until added for our tests):

GRADES IN ORDER OF CHRONOLOGICAL TESTS for Sweet Cream Ice Cream:

TEST 1     TEST 2     TEST 3

Costco vodka, likely Grey Goose brand, but aged 2 years with vanilla beans:

A                B+            A

THE FOLLOWING BATCHES WERE ONLY AGED 3-4 MONTHS WITH VANILLA BEANS, tested 18 May - 12 June 2019:

Grey Goose vodka (corn)

A                 A-             A-

Titus vodka (corn)

B                  B-             B-/B

Bellevue vodka (rye)

D                   C              C

Monolopova vodka (potato)

D+                 D+            C+

Captain Morgan's white rum

D+                  B               C-/C

Maker's Mark bourbon

D                      D              D