In an earlier post I shared for Apricot Ice Cream I admitted I'd lost my notes on making apricot extract. Today I decided to figure out the recipe based on what I found in the container. It's been three weeks, and the extract has a distinct apricot smell and taste to it. Since apricots are not in season year round, it will be nice to have the option of flavoring with apricot extract.
I bet your first question is what can apricot extract be used in? I plan to use it in anything I would use vanilla [affiliate link] extract which I think would taste good with an apricot flavor. The main reason I wanted to make apricot extract was for the ice cream. Alcohol in ice cream is supposed to help the texture so that it doesn't get rock hard when frozen. I can also envision flavoring cake, sweet quick bread and smoothies.
If I ate oatmeal, I'd definitely use a teaspoon for flavoring. As the holidays get closer, I am sure I'll find some Christmas type quick breads to use Apricot Extract.
I'm not a drinking person, but I bet this would make a delicious flavoring for some type of fruity alcoholic drink.
The recipe is very simple. By the way, when it's done, you can take the fresh apricots and boil them to make a syrup. This should remove the alcohol content and would be wonderful on pancakes.
Homemade Apricot Extract
- 1 cup vodka
- 6 fresh ripe apricots
- 4 dehydrated apricots
- Pit the apricots and set the seeds to one side, you'll be using them to make the extract.
- Place halved fresh apricots and dried apricots into the vodka.
- Crack open the seeds and place the shells and inner kernel into the vodka with the apricots.
- Cover and let sit in a dark cupboard at room temperature for 3-4 weeks.
- When it smells strongly of apricots, strain the mixture.
- Pour the extract into a bottle.
- If you wish, place the kernels and the dehydrated apricots in with the extract and just leave these parts to continue to flavor the extract.
- 1 cup vodka
- 6 fresh ripe apricots
- 4 dehydrated apricots
- Pit the apricots and set the seeds to one side, you'll be using them to make the extract.
- Place halved fresh apricots and dried apricots into the vodka.
- Crack open the seeds and place the shells and inner kernel into the vodka with the apricots.
- Cover and let sit in a dark cupboard at room temperature for 3-4 weeks.
- When it smells strongly of apricots, strain the mixture.
- Pour the extract into a bottle. If you wish, place the kernels and the dehydrated apricots in with the extract. I like to think it will continue to flavor the extract.
If you love desserts like this, I have two cookbooks you really need to check out ASAP! Everyone Loves Pudding and Naturally Sweetened Treats.
Would I be able to make this just using dried apricots? It’s gunna be awhile before they are in season and I have the dried on hand. If so, how many would you recommend?
Also, does it have to be vodka.. could I use bourbon for my alcohol?
Hi Brandy, sure I think you could get by with using only dried apricots, and I think bourbon would work fine. HTH, Starlene