Texas Jack's Famous Vanilla Extract Recipes

There are several benefits to making your own vanilla extract. One, is saving money. Two, is creating your own flavors of vanilla extracts. Something as simple as vanilla extract can play a major role in the flavor of your pralines or whatever you cook calling for vanilla extract.

On making vanilla extract, the rule of thumb is one ounce of beans, (which on average is 8 to 10 beans) to eight ounces of alcohol, mostly 80 or 100 proof. Most folks use an inexpensive vodka but I am here to tell you, "Quality Matters."

Texas Jack uses Tito's Vodka for three reasons, It is a "Top Shelf" vodka, it is priced at an incredible value, and it is made here in Texas down in Austin.

Now, the great thing is you can use just about whatever type of spirit you want. In making our Jamacian Gold Vanilla Extract, we use Bacardi Oakheart Spiced Rum and Bacardi Select Rum. The Oakheart has a well-balance spice flavor and the Bacardi Select adds that rich caramel flavor to make a full-bodied extract. The sky is the limit with all the possibilities out there.

On purchasing the vanilla beans, there are a couple of suppliers on Amazon that offer a great value in fresh vanilla beans. If you are unsure of who to buy from, send me an email and I'll recommend who we use.

There are three primary types of Vanilla beans. The Madagascar Bourbon vanilla bean, named after the island, Bourbon. The Tahitian vanilla bean mainly from Papua New Guinea, and the Mexican vanilla bean from mainly Veracruz.

Each bean has its own unique flavor and use in the kitchen. The Madagascar is the most popular and most widely used. The Tahitian is the most heat sensitive so it makes for a great extract for cold desserts and sauces. The Mexican vanilla beans are great for any recipe using chocolate, the Mexican Vanilla extract seems to bring out the chocolate flavor more than the others.

With the recipes, feel free to experiment with different flavors and substitute with any of the spirits that you may have on hand. I know one fellow who used Dewar's Signature Scotch Whiskey and came up with a completely different flavor of extract. I love using Johnny Walker because of its distinctive flavor. And like Johnny Walker, Dewar's has its own distinctive flavor. So, get out there and play and see what you can come up with, and make sure to let me know too!

Texas Jack's Blue Label Vanilla Extract

That's right, Texas Jack's Famous Vanilla Extract made with Johnny Walker Blue Label. I know it is crazy, but can you think of a better way than to cook using this delightful extract? This is for those special occasions and for those special people in your life. Just imagine telling your dinner guest that the dessert was made with "Johnny Walker Blue Label" A rarified treat for those rarified moments. Using Madagascar Vanilla Beans, this is a full bodied extract with the smoothness of Johnny Walker Blue Label.

1.5 ounces of Tahitian vanilla beans, (about 16 to 18 beans)

6 ounces Johnny Walker Blue Label Scotch Whiskey

6 ounces Tito's Vodka

1 One quart Mason Jar with lid

Take the beans and chop them up into pieces about one inch long. Place in a clean one quart Mason Jar. Pour in the 6 ounces of Johnny Walker Blue Label Scotch Whiskey and 6 ounces Tito's Vodka. Place the lid on the jar tightly and give it a good shake. Place a sticker on the jar with the date that you made your extract. Store in a dark cool place and remember to give it a shake about once a week.

In 4 to 6 weeks, you'll have your very own home made extract. The longer it sits, the more flavorful and pronounce the vanilla will be. The great thing about extracts is, they will just about last forever.

Texas Jack's Famous Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract

The name, Madagascar Bourbon, comes from the name of the vanilla beans but to keep it honest, we have blended the vodka with a smidgen of Kentucky Bourbon to give this extract a full bodied flavor that one would expect from vanilla extract.

1.5 ounces of Madagascar vanilla beans, (about 16 to 18 beans)

8 ounces Tito's Vodka

4 ounces Wild Turkey with Honey Bourbon

1 One quart Mason Jar with lid

Take the beans and chop them up into pieces about one inch long. Place in a clean one quart Mason Jar. Pour in the 8 ounces of Tito's vodka and 4 ounces of Wild Turkey with Honey Bourbon. Place the lid on the jar tightly and give it a good shake. Place a sticker on the jar with the date that you made your extract. Store in a dark cool place and remember to give it a shake about once a week.

This is made from the Madagascar vanilla beans using a blend of vodka, rum, and spiced rum to give a wonder balance of vanilla and spices that is reminiscent of the Caribbean. A deep and rich extract for those recipes calling for a walk on the wild side.

1.5 ounces of Madagascar vanilla beans, (about 16 to 18 beans)

4 ounces Bacardi Oakheart Spiced Rum

4 ounces Bacardi Select Rum

4 ounces Tito's Vodka

1 One quart Mason Jar with lid

Take the beans and chop them up into pieces about one inch long. Place in a clean one quart Mason Jar. Pour in the 4 ounces of Bacardi Oakheart Spiced Rum, 4 ounces of Bacardi Select Rum, and 4 ounces of Tito's Vodka. Place the lid on the jar tightly and give it a good shake. Place a sticker on the jar with the date that you made your extract. Store in a dark cool place and remember to give it a shake about once a week.

Texas Jack's Tahitian Paradise Vanilla Extract

This is a lighter, sweeter extract using the "Tahitian Vanilla Beans" that is decadent, fruity, with a subtle cherry, caramel taste that has a floral aroma that smells like flowers. This is excellent for use in desserts or any cold served dish. This is the most heat sensitive that any other extract but offers a unique taste beyond compare.

1.5 ounces of Tahitian vanilla beans, (about 16 to 18 beans)

12 ounces Tito's Vodka

1 One quart Mason Jar with lid

Take the beans and chop them up into pieces about one inch long. Place in a clean one quart Mason Jar. Pour in the 12 ounces of Tito's Vodka. Place the lid on the jar tightly and give it a good shake. Place a sticker on the jar with the date that you made your extract. Store in a dark cool place and remember to give it a shake about once a week.

Texas Jack's Mexican Vanilla Bean Extract

A rich smooth deep creamy chocolate vanilla extract that has a woody fragrance. This is the best vanilla extract for recipes using chocolate. There is something about this extract that brings out and enhances the flavor of chocolate.

1.5 ounces of Tahitian vanilla beans, (about 16 to 18 beans)

8 ounces Tito's Vodka

4 ounces 360 Double Chocolate Vodka

1 One quart Mason Jar with lid

Take the beans and chop them up into pieces about one inch long. Place in a clean one quart Mason Jar. Pour in the 8 ounces of Tito's Vodka and 4 ounces of 360 Double Chocolate Vodka. Place the lid on the jar tightly and give it a good shake. Place a sticker on the jar with the date that you made your extract. Store in a dark cool place and remember to give it a shake about once a week.

Texas Jack's Pecan Extract

1.5 cups of Fresh Pecans

12 ounces Everclear 190 proof

4 ounces Praline Pecan Liqueur

1 One quart Mason Jar with lid

Take the pecans and place them in boiling water for 60 seconds and immediately remove from the water and drain. This is to remove the bitterness of the tannins in the pecans.

Place the pecans in a clean one quart Mason Jar. Pour in the 12 ounces of Everclear and 4 ounces of the Praline Pecan Liqueur. Place the lid on the jar tightly and give it a good shake. Place a sticker on the jar with the date that you made your extract. Store in a dark cool place and remember to give it a shake about once a week.

The reason we use the Praline Pecan Liqueur is two-fold. One, the bring down the alcohol content and to add some extra flavor. Because of the nature of the pecans, a higher alcohol content is needed to pull the oils out of the pecans.

In 4 to 6 weeks, you'll have your very own home made extract. The longer it sits, the more flavorful and pronounce the pecans will be. The great thing about extracts is, they will just about last forever.