DIY Extracts: Vanilla, Mint & Almond

Our Favorite Homemade Flavor Boosters on the Homestead

There’s just something so satisfying about crafting your own pantry staples from scratch—especially when they end up tasting better than anything you could grab at the store. One of our absolute favorite little homestead secrets? Homemade extracts. Vanilla, mint, almond… these three live on repeat in our kitchen. Whether we’re baking up a batch of farm-fresh cookies, flavoring homemade yogurt, or whipping up a cozy cup of hot chocolate on a cold morning, these extracts add a pure, homegrown flavor we just can’t get enough of. And honestly? Making them is easier than you think!

Around here, we like to think of these DIY extracts as tiny bottles of magic. They’re filled with ingredients we’ve either grown ourselves or carefully sourced, and they steep in love (and vodka!) right on the pantry shelf. Every time I open a bottle of our homemade vanilla, the scent instantly transports me to the many mornings we’ve spent baking with the kids, flour on our noses and little fingers trying to sneak dough from the bowl. These extracts are more than ingredients—they’re a little piece of our life on the homestead.

So, want to make your own? Here’s how we do it!

DIY Vanilla Extract

You’ll need:

5–6 whole vanilla beans (Madagascar or Tahitian are our go-to)
1 cup of vodka (or bourbon for a deeper flavor)
A glass jar with a tight seal

Instructions: Slice your vanilla beans lengthwise, exposing the tiny seeds inside, but don’t scrape them out. Pop them into your jar and cover completely with vodka. Seal and give it a little shake. Store it in a cool, dark place for at least 6–8 weeks (the longer, the better—we aim for 3 months), shaking it once a week. That’s it! You’ve just made your own vanilla extract. Once it’s ready, you can pour off what you need and top it off again with more vodka to keep it going. Like a sourdough starter, but sweeter!

DIY Mint Extract

You’ll need:

1 cup fresh mint leaves (washed and patted dry)
1 cup vodka
A glass jar

Instructions: Give your mint leaves a gentle crush to release their oils, then place them in your jar. Pour vodka over the top, making sure the leaves are submerged. Seal and shake gently. Store in a dark cabinet for about 4–6 weeks, shaking every few days. Strain out the leaves when you’re happy with the strength. This one is SO good in chocolate recipes, holiday treats, and even homemade toothpaste!

DIY Almond Extract

You’ll need:

1 cup raw, unsalted almonds (chopped or crushed)
1½ cups vodka
A glass jar

Instructions: Chop the almonds to release their natural oils and place them in a jar. Cover with vodka, seal, and shake. Let it steep in a cool, dark place for 6–8 weeks, giving it a little shake now and then. Almond extract tends to take a bit longer to reach its full potential, but trust me—it’s worth the wait. Once it’s nice and fragrant, strain out the almonds and bottle up that beautiful, nutty flavor.

Why We Love These Extracts on the Homestead

These extracts have become kitchen staples for us—not just because they taste amazing, but because they remind us of the joy in slowing down and making things from scratch. They store beautifully, make thoughtful gifts, and honestly, they’re just plain fun to make. I can’t tell you how many batches of muffins or loaves of banana bread have been elevated by our homemade vanilla. And don’t even get me started on the mint—peppermint brownies have become a family favorite around Christmas thanks to that little jar on our shelf.

Homesteading is all about intention. We grow what we can, we preserve what we harvest, and we make what we’re able to with our own two hands. These extracts are a little reflection of that lifestyle—simple, slow, and filled with love.

So the next time you’re looking for a cozy kitchen project, grab a few jars and get steeping. I promise, once you try these, you’ll never go back to store-bought!

Want more from our kitchen? Stay tuned for our favorite homemade spice blends and herbal teas coming soon—straight from our garden to your cup.