Good vanilla extract is expensive. Cheap vanilla extract, on the other hand, isn’t actually vanilla at all (it’s artificial vanillin – drawn from wood pulp). No one likes to spend $10 or more on a tiny bottle of the real deal. But if you’ve got a lot of patience and a little money, you can make an enormous amount of vanilla extract yourself – and it’s really quite simple. I tested the process myself a year or so ago, and the results were amazing.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Cheap Vodka (I used a handle of Orloff Vodka, but you can use any size and brand you like)

(I used a handle of Orloff Vodka, but you can use any size and brand you like) Vanilla Beans (Buy them in bulk online – the in-store prices are ridiculous. I recommend about 24-36 beans for a handle of vodka, fewer for a smaller bottle.)

And that’s it, really – just vodka and vanilla beans. You can buy the beans anywhere you like (ditto for the vodka), but please do not pay the outlandish prices charged in supermarkets (as much as $8 for a single vanilla bean). Also, don’t bother with top-shelf spirits – they really won’t make much (if any) of a difference in the end.

Here’s what you do:

Split all of your beans lengthwise with a sharp knife and pry them apart. Don’t cut through the back side. Your aim is to reveal the seeds inside, but not ruin the integrity of the pod (they’re messy).

Pour out a cup or so of the vodka (assuming you’re using a handle) and set it aside. You need to make room for the beans.

(assuming you’re using a handle) and set it aside. You need to make room for the beans. Pop the pour guard off the bottle with a butter knife or other thin object.

with a butter knife or other thin object. Drop your beans into the vodka.

Top off the bottle with your reserve vodka (if necessary) until it’s nearly full. Leave a little wiggle room at the top.

with your reserve vodka (if necessary) until it’s nearly full. Leave a little wiggle room at the top. Cap the bottle and give it a very good shake. Up-end it several times. Shake it until the vodka gets cloudy with floating seeds. You might even start to get a little bit of brown color in the mix when you’re done. Your goal is simply to get everything moving and expose as much of the beans to the liquid as possible.

Up-end it several times. Shake it until the vodka gets cloudy with floating seeds. You might even start to get a little bit of brown color in the mix when you’re done. Your goal is simply to get everything moving and expose as much of the beans to the liquid as possible. Let it sit for a minimum of 8 months. Every so often, pick up the bottle and give it a few more shakes. You’ll see the color turn from light brown, to dark brown, to nearly black (depending on how many beans you added).

Every so often, pick up the bottle and give it a few more shakes. You’ll see the color turn from light brown, to dark brown, to nearly black (depending on how many beans you added). Enjoy! I’ve baked with mine (of course), put it in cocktails, and even consumed it straight.

Really, it’s nearly impossible to screw up vanilla extract. You can add a ton of beans, or not so many. You can halve the beans, dice them, or put them in the blender (which is what my uncle, who inspired my original experiment, did). You can make a little or a lot. But in the end, you’ll be left with a load of fragrant, delicious vanilla. You will literally never need to buy pre-made extract again. I know I never will.