How to Make Orange Extract
This post may contain affiliate links. View our disclosure.
The next time you eat an orange, save the peel; and use it to make orange extract. Here’s how.
How to Make Orange Extract
Prep Time:
5 Minutes
What You Need:
Vodka (the cheapest bottle you can find)
(1) organic orange
A vegetable peeler
A pint canning jar
Amber glass bottles
What You Do:
Zest your orange. You want the orange, outer portion of the peel, but not the inner white pith (it doesn’t taste very good).
Place your orange zest in a jar, and cover it with one cup of vodka. Make sure your zest is fully submerged.
Then, screw the lid on your jar, and place it in a cool, dark spot for at least two months. The longer it sits, the stronger the orange flavor will be.
Strain out the zest, and transfer your finished orange extract to a brown glass jar. The dark color will help to preserve the color and flavor of your extract.
Free Printable Orange Extract Labels
Here are some printable labels for your orange extract. They’re designed to print to full-sheet shipping label paper. Use Avery 8165, if you have an inkjet, or Avery 5265, if you have a laser printer.
I now print my extract labels on vinyl label sheet. This makes them waterproof and dishwasher-safe. So, I can wash the bottles, and refill them again and again, without having to print new labels. Just make sure you get the type of vinyl that’s intended for your type of printer. There’s one version for inkjets and one for laser printers.
Many web browsers have their own built-in PDF viewers, but they tend to be buggy. If you’re having trouble printing or editing one of our printables, click here for help.
Tips:
- Spring for an organic orange, since you’ll be using the peel
- Whip up an extra batch or two of extract, and you’ll be all set for the next gift-giving occasion
- Want to skip the alcohol? Just replace the vodka with three parts food-grade liquid glycerin and one part water
- Save the bottles from store-bought extracts, and refill them with your homemade extracts
- You can also make your own lemon, vanilla and peppermint extract.
How to Make Orange Extract
Use this simple recipe to whip up a batch of homemade orange extract for yourself, or to give as a gift.
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 cup 1x
Ingredients
- 1 organic orange
- 1 cup vodka
Instructions
Zest orange. Try not to include the pith.
Place zest in a jar, and cover with vodka. Make sure zest is completely submerged.
Screw the lid on your jar, and place it in a cool, dark spot for at least two weeks (longer is better, and will result in a stronger flavor).
Strain out zest, and transfer your finished orange extract to a brown glass jar.
Notes
- To make non-alcoholic extract, replace the vodka with three parts food-grade liquid glycerin and one part water.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Ingredient
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Global
Keywords: orange extract recipe, how to make orange extract
Want to learn how to make other extract flavors? This video shows you how to make vanilla, peppermint, lemon and non-alcoholic extracts.
Your homemade ideas are so useful who of thought we could make our own cake flour and extracts, this will save alot of money I bake alot. Thank You
I make vanilla extract and I can reuse my beans to make more vanilla; can I do the same with the orange and lemon zest, or should I use fresh each time?
Good question. I always start with fresh peels when I’m making orange or lemon extract. I don’t think there’s quite as much flavor to extract from them.
Do you keep the finished extract in the refrigerator or just a kitchen cupboard. Thank you.
A kitchen cupboard is fine.
Thanks for the recipe
★★★★★
Are the avery labels “vinyl” like you said you use?
No, the Avery labels I’ve linked to are paper.