Another fantastic extract from our extract-making pro, Starlette. We are pleased to present this recipe to you in her own words:

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HOLIDAY MINGLE
Pint Jar or larger
4 cinnamon sticks
1 tsp whole allspice
1 tsp whole cloves
1 whole nutmeg [cracked]
3 whole star anise (or 3 tsp broken star anise)
1 sm ginger root, peeled
1 tablespoon green cardamom [optional]
1/2 ounce vanilla beans
12 oz Kracken Spiced Rum

I tied the vanilla beans in a knot to keep the caviar inside the bean. Place all ingredients into the jar and store in a cool, dark place. Give a gentle shake every 2 to 3 days at first, then shake monthly.

*Note: You can add more or less spices to customize this extract to your liking. I use it in fall breads, pies, and cookies. Makes a great tasting spice cake and muffins.

Extract time: 3-6 months, longer for the vanilla beans to extract into the flavor. I strained and removed the spices after 6 months, added the vanilla beans back, and let it extract until the vanilla flavor came through. About another 3-4 months.
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Here's a video tutorial of a holiday extract similar to this:

 

VanillaPura Pro

Comments

Thank you for your question Debra. If made and stored correctly (in a cool dark place), homemade extracts will keep indefinitely! Use within 5 years to enjoy at their best flavor though.

— VanillaPura Pro

How long will it keep? What is the “expiration” date of the final product?

— Debra Yefko

The extract time for this recipe is only 3-6 months.

— VanillaPura Pro

I would love to know how long this takes to make Xmas presents in advance

— Sherrie Friedman

Started a double batch on August 30, 2023! Can’t wait to taste it!

— Anissa

I can’t wait to start this, as it’s going to be a great addition to all my holiday recipes! Thank you, Starlette for your amazing contributions!

— Marie B.

I bought the kraken while waiting for my beans. Just perfect for this.

— Gail Lalonde

Why would you use spiced rum and add more spices to make this extract? Will the extract be overly spicy?

— Colleen Entner

What are some ideas to use this in?

— Sandy Fenter

Could this be given a push along by doing sous vide on the rum and vanilla first and then adding the other spices?

— Cindy

Which vanilla beans would you suggest for the holiday mingle? I wonder about Mexican or Ugandan.

— Louise Oppedahl

Hi Sara! We are so happy that you’re so excited about this recipe! You’re exactly right. The beans are tied for the reason of the second extraction. Happy extracting! :)

— VanillaPura

Could you please explain to me why you don’t open and scrape the bean when making Holiday Mingle Extract!
I’m sure you have a good reason, but just to be clear. It must have to do with straining the extract later???
I was just thinking that if the bean were scraped it would infuse more quickly! Thank you in advance for your expertise! ❤️

— Sara Franco

Can you please explain why you tie the vanilla bean instead of scraping and adding the caviar and the bean to the recipe! I’m sure you must have a good reason for doing so, I was just wondering!!!
Thank you so much!❤️

— Sara Franco

I think this is it!!! I don’t remember it taking so long to extract!!! Does anyone know who posted it?
Thank you everyone so much, I can’t wait to try it!

— Sara