A few years ago, one of our most popular posts, and one of my favorite, go-to homemade Christmas gifts was homemade vanilla. I still think it’s an awesome idea. However, there are a few downsides. Because vanilla beans are tough and dry, it takes months for them to properly brew, so ideally, this is a project to start in June, and in June, Christmas gifts are the last thing on my mind. The other thing is that over the last few years, vanilla bean prices have become ridiculously expensive. For example, in September 2013, I could get half a pound of vanilla beans for $29.95. Those would go a loooong way–I could make gifts for all our neighbors, teachers, friends, and still have plenty leftover for myself. Today, those same beans are $304.49, plus $4.77 in shipping. Since I don’t like anyone enough to spend $304 on vanilla beans for them, they shall be getting citrus extracts instead. Oranges and lemons do NOT cost $304.49 and these extracts can be done in a week. They’re perfect for adding a nice punch of flavor to whipped creams, puddings, pies, cookies, cakes, icings, ice creams, and frostings.
how to make homemade citrus extracts (mint extract is in recipe notes)
You’ll need some citrus fruit (I’m using lemons and oranges, but you could easily use grapefruit or limes if the Spirit moves you) and high-quality vodka. When I say “high-quality,” I just mean don’t go get that giant jug of the cheapest stuff in the grocery store that comes in a plastic bottle and has probably caused alcohol poisoning among KKK members. You know, the stuff I bought at 11 pm one night when I read online that an environmentally friendly way to kill bedbugs is to add tea tree oil to vodka and spritz it upon your bedding. Take it from me, that doesn’t work. You gotta nuke those suckers with every poison available. Anyway. If you’re not a regular vodka purchaser and are wondering what a classy vodka is, my guess is one wearing a sweater.
You’ll also want to select high-quality, fragrant fruit that doesn’t smell off or rancid at all. Wash thoroughly in warm water with a gentle soap like Mrs. Meyers to remove any wax from the peels. If you use a strong detergent like Dawn, there may be remnants of Dawn in your otherwise-delicious citrus extract.
Using a vegetable peeler, peel the topmost layer off each piece of fruit.
Place the orange peels in one glass mason jar
and the lemon peels in another,
(if you’re using a quart of vodka, you’ll want each jar to be about half full of peels. For a quart of extract, use a quart jar, for two separate extracts, use two pint jars). Pour the vodka over the peels. Make sure the peels are completely submerged and then place lids on the jars. Allow them to steep for at least a week (as long as the peels are covered, the alcohol will preserve the peels and prevent them from rotting).
When the extracts are very fragrant, transfer to small bottles for gifting.
