Vodka For Vanilla Extract

[JephSullivan]

My mother likes to make vanilla extract, so I thought I would get her some vanilla beans for her birthday. Since she feels out of place in a liquor store, I thought I would pick up the 80 proof alcohol too. Vodka is the obvious choice for its neutral flavor. I wanted to ask the folks here for vodka suggestions. I'm not looking for your favorite vodka. I'm looking for the vodka that has the most neutral taste. I was thinking of Smirnoff, but if anyone has a better suggestion, I'm all ears.

I wouldn't be surprised if there were a few vanilla bean recommendations out there too, so fire away! ;D

 

[vahan]

I don;t know about the vodka, I believe all vodkas (except flavored ones) are supposed to taste very neutral, but a good deal on vanilla beans is at

http://youngagain.com/store/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=151

 

[fish]

I used to work as a pastry chef and we would use the vanilla beans in all of our creams then put the husks in a vodka bottle. We would "gut" the shells by scraping the insides and then put the seeds right in the creams. This made the beans go pretty far.

 

[punkideas]

I've heard TJ's is the best deal for a neutral vodka without off flavors, but living in Colorado (and not being a vodka fan), I don't know. You may want to pick the brains of the employees of big area liquor stores. I find that for much of the booze world, there are off-brands that give you more bang (better flavor, not more potency) for your buck. Also, watching ads and being patient can save you several dollars.

 

[Medsen Fey]

When I make cordials, I will typically buy the cheapest vodka I can possibly find and run in through a charcoal filter. What comes out always seems very neutral to me.

 

[ucflumberjack]

I think that Absolut is pretty good for its price, but as previously suggested ask around at the stores, last time i went in i walked out with different bourbon than i usually drink and was very happy with it. also managed to save like twenty dollars. some companies that dont advertise are very good, but cheaper because they dont pay for advertising.

 

[JephSullivan]

Thanks for the suggestions! I may have to try that charcoal filter trick some day too. That reminds me of that episode of Mythbusters...

 

[beninak]

Smirnoff is the best taste for the lowest price that you can find as far as vodka goes.

As for vanilla beans are you planning to use tahitian or bourbon or a combination of both?

 

[JephSullivan]

I found some bourbon vanilla beans from Uganda that have a nice coating of vanillin crystals on the outside. I'm hoping that will make a tasty extract. What is the difference between bourbon and Tahitian anyways? I don't know too much about vanilla. Is it good to use a combination of both for an extract?

Smirnoff does the charcoal filtration at the factory, don't they? That's why I thought of it at first.

 

[ucflumberjack]

ive been told by a vanilla bean distributer that bourbon beans are more rich vanilla flavor while tahitian is more floral. he said bourbon is what is used in good vanilla ice cream to get that rich vanilla taste. he also said though that most vanilla recipes use a combination of both in different proportions to get the desired flavor. ive been goin 50/50 so far in meads and a blueberry syrup that i made.

 

[crochetman_sf]

In my experience, I find that Sky Vodka is the smoothest and least flavoured. If you are using it to make extracts, you can water it down to 1/3 strength. The alcohol is only there as a preservative, so it does not have to be strong.
Me personally, I would be thinking of making my own by fermenting sugar, yeast, vanilla bean (split down the middle) and just a smidgen of molasses. Then, when it is all done - some of that extract and a spritzer of club soda over ice = WOW!

 

[cam07ds]

I tend to use a good quality Vodka for my extracts. Lately I have been using Blue Ice from Idaho. Its a great Vodka very well made.
Steve

http://www.blueicevodka.com/products.php