Beans, Bottles & Booze: How to Host the Ultimate Winter Extract-Making Party

Stuck Inside This Winter? Throw an Extract-Making Party!

When the temperatures drop and outdoor activities are off the table, it's the perfect time to gather friends for a cozy, creative indoor activity: a vanilla extract-making party! All you need are three simple ingredients—beans, bottles, and booze—and you've got the makings of a memorable winter gathering that keeps on giving.

Why Winter is Perfect for Extract Making

Extract making is the ideal cold-weather activity. It's hands-on but not physically demanding, it's creative and customizable, and best of all, it gives everyone something to look forward to: a tasting party exactly one year from now when your extracts are perfectly aged and ready to enjoy!

Plus, there's something wonderfully cozy about sitting around with friends, splitting vanilla beans, filling bottles, and experimenting with different flavor combinations while snow falls outside.

The Simple Supply List: Beans, Bottles & Booze

The beauty of an extract-making party is its simplicity. Here's what you need:

Beans: 2-3 Different Origins

Variety is the spice of life—and the key to a fun extract party! Offer 2-3 different vanilla bean origins so guests can experiment with different flavor profiles:

• Madagascar: Classic, creamy, buttery vanilla—the crowd-pleaser
• Tahitian: Floral, fruity, with cherry and anise notes—the exotic option
• Mexican: Bold, spicy, with chocolate and cinnamon undertones—the adventurous choice
• Ugandan: Earthy with fig and raisin notes—the unique discovery
• Tongan: Cherry and licorice undertones—the conversation starter

Plan on about 1oz beans per 8oz bottle, so calculate based on how many guests you're expecting and how many bottles each person will make.

Bottles: Clear Glass is Best

Provide 8oz or 16oz glass bottles with tight-sealing caps or corks. Clear glass lets everyone watch their extract develop over time, which is part of the fun! You can find affordable bottles in bulk online, or ask guests to bring their own if they have preferences.

Pro tip: Have labels and permanent markers on hand so everyone can mark their bottles with the date, bean origin, and spirit used.

Booze: 2-3 Different Spirits

Just like with beans, offering variety in spirits makes the party more interesting. Here are some options:

• Vodka (40% ABV): The neutral base that lets vanilla shine—perfect for beginners
• Bourbon: Adds caramel, oak, and vanilla notes—creates a rich, complex extract
• Rum: Brings molasses sweetness and tropical vibes—especially good with Tahitian beans
• Brandy: Fruity and smooth—pairs beautifully with floral vanilla varieties

Make sure whatever spirits you choose are at least 35% ABV (70 proof) for proper extraction. You'll need about 8oz of spirit per bottle.

How to Host Your Extract-Making Party

Before the Party

• Order your vanilla beans (plan for 5-6 beans per bottle per guest, plus extras for sampling)
• Purchase or ask guests to bring bottles
• Buy 2-3 different spirits
• Gather supplies: cutting boards, sharp knives or scissors, funnels, labels, markers
• Print out simple instruction cards with bean-to-spirit ratios
• Set up a clean, well-lit workspace with enough room for everyone

During the Party

Station 1: Bean Selection
Let guests smell and examine the different vanilla bean origins. Discuss the flavor profiles and help them choose which beans they want to use. This is where the fun begins—everyone becomes a vanilla expert!

Station 2: Bean Prep
Show guests how to split vanilla beans lengthwise to expose the seeds (or leave them whole for a slower extraction). This is a great time to chat about the science of extraction and why we split the beans.

Station 3: Bottle Assembly
Help guests place their split beans into bottles using funnels if needed. Then pour in their chosen spirit, making sure beans are fully submerged.

Station 4: Label & Date
Have everyone label their bottles with:

• Today's date
• Bean origin(s) used
• Spirit used
• Their name
• "Open on [date one year from now]"

Mix and Match for Maximum Fun

Encourage guests to make multiple bottles with different combinations:

• Madagascar beans + vodka (classic)
• Tahitian beans + rum (tropical)
• Mexican beans + bourbon (bold and spicy)
• Multi-origin blend + brandy (complex and unique)

The experimentation is half the fun! Some guests might want to make 2-3 different varieties to compare later.

The Most Important Part: Schedule the Tasting Party!

Before everyone leaves, pull out your calendar and schedule your extract tasting party for exactly one year from today. This is crucial! Mark it on everyone's calendars, create a group chat, send calendar invites—whatever it takes to make sure everyone commits.

The tasting party is where the magic happens. After a full year of aging, you'll all gather again to:

• Open and smell your extracts
• Compare the different bean and spirit combinations
• Taste-test in coffee, baked goods, or even cocktails
• Discuss which combinations worked best
• Share bottles and trade favorites
• Plan your next extract-making party!

Party Tips & Ideas

Make it a Potluck

Ask guests to bring vanilla-flavored treats to share: vanilla cookies, vanilla ice cream, vanilla lattes, or vanilla cocktails. It's a delicious way to celebrate the star ingredient!

Create a Tasting Station

Set out small samples of different vanilla extracts (store-bought or from previous batches) so guests can smell and taste the differences between origins and spirits.

Educational Element

Share fun facts about vanilla: where it grows, how it's pollinated by hand, why it's the second most expensive spice after saffron. People love learning while they craft!

Take Photos

Document the process! Take photos of everyone with their bottles, the different bean varieties, and the group together. Share them in your group chat throughout the year as reminders of what's aging at home.

Monthly Check-Ins

Create a group chat or email thread where everyone can share photos of their extracts as they develop. It builds anticipation for the tasting party and keeps everyone engaged.

What to Tell Your Guests About Extract Care

Make sure everyone knows how to care for their extracts during the aging process:

• Store in a cool, dark place (not the refrigerator!)
• Shake gently once a week, especially in the first few months
• Be patient—the longer it ages, the better it gets
• After 6-8 months, it's technically ready, but a full year creates the richest flavor
• The beans can stay in the bottle indefinitely, continuing to add flavor

Why This Party Works

An extract-making party checks all the boxes for a great winter gathering:

• Low-stress: No complicated recipes or precise timing
• Interactive: Everyone participates and creates something personal
• Educational: Guests learn about vanilla origins, extraction science, and flavor profiles
• Affordable: Split the cost of supplies among guests
• Lasting impact: Guests take home something they made that they'll use for years
• Built-in reunion: The tasting party gives everyone a reason to gather again

Beyond Vanilla: Expand Your Extract Party

Once you've mastered vanilla, consider expanding to other extracts at future parties:

• Almond extract (with whole almonds)
• Peppermint extract (with fresh peppermint)
• Coffee extract (with whole coffee beans)
• Citrus extract (with lemon or orange peels)

The Gift That Keeps on Giving

Here's a bonus idea: have guests make an extra bottle or two to give as gifts during the holidays. Homemade vanilla extract makes an incredibly thoughtful, personal gift that people actually use and appreciate. Include a note about when it was made and at what party—it becomes a story, not just a gift.

Ready to Host Your Extract-Making Party?

Winter doesn't have to mean hibernation. Gather your friends, stock up on beans, bottles, and booze, and create an afternoon of creativity, learning, and laughter. The best part? You're not just making extract—you're making memories and giving everyone something to look forward to all year long.

So grab your calendar, pick a date, and send those invites. Your winter extract-making party awaits, and one year from now, you'll all raise a glass (or a bottle) to toast the delicious results!

Need vanilla beans for your party? Check out our vanilla bean collection and explore different origins to make your party unforgettable. And don't forget to visit our Extract 101 section for more tips and tricks!

Happy extracting—and happy party planning!