Here’s some quick notes about vanilla beans and the extract:
Use Grade B beans – cheaper, and meant for extracting
single-fold extract = 4 beans per 8oz vodka
strong vanilla/double fold is twice as much, gets expensive
Madagascar Vanilla – very common and has a creamy and rich flavor
Mexican Vanilla – has a darker, almost smoky flavor
Tahitian Vanilla – also very common and has a rich floral flavor
Here’s the actual recipe:
Split a bean lengthwise, scrape the seeds, put everything into an 4 oz bottle or jar (preferably amber bottle to prevent UV light from ruining things), cover with vodka, seal tight, shake once a week for 6 months. Keep out of sunlight
You can substitute bourbon, brandy, or rum for the vodka.
You can, and should, top up the bottle with alcohol as you use it, and if it gets weak, add another vanilla bean.