Homemade Extracts

[Crazy8]

I know that this doesn't seem soda related but I will be using it for my root beer and may cut costs a little bit...maybe.

I'm thinking of making my own vanilla extract. I have heard that Everclear is a good alcohol choice for making extracts. However, my little research has shown that Vodka is the choice for vanilla extract.

Does it matter?
Any suggestions?

Thanks im advance for the help.

 

[MrFoodScientist]

I used 151 proof Everclear and added water to get to 35% abv as that's the standard for pure vanilla extract. It ended up getting a bit cloudy and I wish I would have just opted for a 70 proof rum, bourbon or vodka.

Advice from a book called Cordials from Your Kitchen suggests that grain alcohol will cloud pretty easy when adding water, though you do get a bit more bang for your buck. I know it's for making flavored liquors, but the process is about the same.

I do wonder if the clouding was due to my process, which was add beans to alcohol, shake, then top up with water. I haven't gone back to try again because I still have quite a bit left even a year later. The flavor worked out ok, but mine's not as strong as buying a pure vanilla extract from the store. I quite possibly skimped on the beans, though.

Not that having a cloudy extract is a bad thing flavor-wise. The only downside would be if you're giving it away as a gift or something.