If you’re an ardent baker—or know someone who is—our homemade orange extract recipe is right up your alley! It’s easy to make and inexpensive too. It’s a win-win situation since store-bought extracts are so pricey. Check out our awesome recipes for mint and vanilla extract.

All you need is a good-quality vodka (we won’t judge if you take a swig or two), and orange zest. Combine the ingredients in a pretty bottle then let it set for 8–12 weeks. Give the bottle a swirl every so often then when you’re ready to package the extract for use, simply strain the liquid away from the zest then seal the extract in an airtight container.

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A bottle of homemade orange extract.

homemade orange extract recipe

Homemade orange extract is easy to make and inexpensive using just two ingredients.

Ingredients
 

Yield: 12 servings/tablespoons
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  • 1 cup vodka, good-quality
  • 5 oranges zest of oranges, no pith

Instructions
 

  • Remove zest from each orange using a microplane. If you don’t have a microplane, use a vegetable peeler to remove the zest. If necessary, use a sharp knife to remove any white pith from the back of the zest before extracting. The pith will result in unwanted bitterness to the final product.
  • Place fruit peels and vodka in a clean glass jar or bottle. Make sure zest is completely submerged in the vodka.
  • Seal tightly then store in a cool dark place for 8–10 weeks, shaking the bottle occasionally to fully extract the orange essence.
  • After extracting, remove zest and store the extract in an airtight container indefinitely.

Notes

Get creative with this concept by substituting the orange with your favorite fruit flavors!
Calories: 44kcal, Carbohydrates: 0.2g, Potassium: 1mg, Fiber: 0.2g
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