Vanilla extract made with tequila is a deep departure from the norm of extract making. Indeed, the agave of tequila doesn't appear to be a natural spirit for use in extract making, but the inherent vanilla notes within agave result in a blend of flavors that is entirely unique, very sweet and perfect for tarts, pies and many of your favorite fruit-based desserts.
In this tequila vanilla kit, we have preselected the top 5 vanilla beans that pair perfectly with tequila and we have listed them below in the order of most popular on top to least popular (but still delicious) on the bottom. We recommend using an anejo (aged) tequila for the best results.
Simply choose the vanilla beans that you want and the bottle that you want, and you'll be ready to begin. The only thing that we can't sell you right here is the tequila. You'll have to get that on your own. We recommend tequila with no artificial flavorings. Make sure it is between 35% - 50% alcohol (which is 70-100 proof). And, if there's a worm at the bottom of the tequila bottle, it's best to remove it.
What bean should you select? Here's how they smell and taste:
| Mexican Veracruz |
Caramel/mocha with hints of cocoa and a spicy vanilla kick.
|
| Madagascar |
Classic vanilla taste and aroma. Buttery and sweet.
|
| Sri Lankan |
Sweet vanilla, dried fruit, silver tips tea & black tea
|
Congo
|
Bold, earthy vanilla with hints of dates and figs
|
Tanzania
|
Sweet vanilla, creamy, smooth, subtle cacao, buttery
|
This kit includes 1oz of vanilla beans and an 8oz glass bottle. To make your first extract with this kit, follow these 4 simple steps:
- Put all the vanilla beans in the bottle.
- If the beans are too tall, cut them in half (or fold them and insert them into the bottle fold first) to make sure they are fully submerged in the alcohol.
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Fill the bottle with the tequila you purchased. Leave a little air on top.
- Close the lid and store the extract in a cool/dark place for 12 months and...giddy-up...your very own homemade vanilla extract!
If you would like to include extract-making instructions with this kit, you can print out instructions by clicking here.
There are lots of other tips and tricks to make thousands of different types of extracts at home using a variety of beans and different spirits. If you want to go down the extract-making rabbit hole, click here to dive in!
In summary, if you simply want to make your first extract and you love the taste of tequila, then choose your bottle and choose your beans within this kit, and you'll be good to go.
