How to Make Vanilla Extract Without Alcohol

I've been making my own vanilla extract for years. I typically make it with vodka or rum, but I wanted to make a vanilla extract with glycerin.

I add vanilla extract to my coffee, so I didn't want to use the vodka. Even though it's a small amount, I wasn't comfortable with my kids drinking it or me drinking it during the day.

I don't like using an imitation extract because it doesn't taste as good, but this alcohol free vanilla extract recipe tastes great!

Can Vanilla Be Extracted Without Alcohol?

Yes, you absolutely can extract vanilla without using alcohol. To do this, you use food grade glycerin and distilled water instead of alcohol.

This article will show you how to make alcohol free vanilla extract and help answer any questions you may have.

If you want to make it with alcohol, you can learn h ow to make vanilla extract from vanilla beans or Instant Pot vanilla extract.

Does Alcohol Free Vanilla Taste Different

When learning how to make alcohol free vanilla extract, one of the biggest questions is how it will taste. This alcohol free vanilla recipe does not really taste all too different from a traditional alcohol based vanilla extract recipe.

It will be more dull in its sweetness and less potent, so you may have to use a bit more in your recipes for the same taste.

However, it's still a fantastic recipe for those who want to avoid alcohol in their vanilla extract.

What Does Vanilla Extract Without Alcohol Taste Like?

Vanilla Extract made without alcohol tastes very similar to regular vanilla extract. The only fundamental difference is that this vanilla extract with glycerin will taste sweeter. Some people think it has more of a caramel flavor.

Is Alcohol Free Vanilla Extract Shelf Stable?

One of the best things about glycerin is that, similar to alcohol, it has preserving qualities. When used at more than 55% in a concentration it will help to preserve the product that you are making.

This means that glycerin is a superb alternative to grain alcohols when you want to make a vanilla extract that is useful for cooking and baking, and can be kept long term.

However, I do not recommend using more than one part water to three parts glycerin. If you keep the concentration of glycerin higher, it helps to ensure that the vanilla extract will last longer.

Which Glycerin Is Best for Vanilla Extract With Glycerin

For this vanilla extract with glycerin recipe, I recommend using food grade vegetable glycerin. This is because it is the most effective at extracting the flavor from the beans so the process will be faster and more fruitful in the long run.

You can also look for a USP grade glycerin. This meets or exceeds the requirements in the United States for food, drug, or medicinal uses.

Which Vanilla Beans are Best for Making Vanilla Extract

There are three primary types of beans that are often recommended for making alcohol free vanilla extract recipe .

The most popular kind is the Madagascar vanilla beans. You can also use the Tahitian vanilla beans.

Tips for Making Vanilla Extract Without Alcohol

Here are some tips for making vanilla extract with glycerin:

• You can use this alcohol free vanilla extract recipe in lieu of regular vanilla extract in cooking and baking recipes. The flavor of this recipe may be a bit more subtle, and you may need to use more of it than you would need to if you were using standard alcohol based vanilla extract in order to get the same flavor.
• Glycerin is very sweet (about three quarters as sweet as sucrose) and, as such, you may wish to use a bit less sugar in the recipe you are making, depending on the recipe of course.
• As you use the vanilla glycerin, you can refill your bottle with more glycerin to continue to extract flavor from the same vanilla beans. Extraction in this recipe takes a lot longer than it does with ethanol alcohol.
• In order to get a richer flavor, I recommend leaving the beans in the mixture for a year. However, at any time you can taste the extract to see if it is ready for use or if it needs more time.
• Once you have used your beans, remove them from the glycerin and let dry. Then use them to learn how to make vanilla powder or how to make vanilla sugar.