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Deliciously rich, homemade Coffee Extract
Who knew coffee extract could be such a handy and delicious addition to your kitchen pantry!
Coffee extract may be a bit obscure, but it should be moved to the front of the pantry right behind that big bottle of vanilla. This full-bodied extract will enhance just about any recipe but especially all things chocolate. Our extract is also a great replacement for espresso powder in all your sweet or savory recipes.
Unfortunately, this magical elixir is hard to find in the grocery stores, but you can order it on Amazon, of course! I say why bother buying it when you probably have everything you need to make it right at home.
What special ingredients are needed to make this simple extract?
You don’t need anything special to make homemade coffee extract. Two simple ingredients and a week at room temperature and you’re done. This DIY extract uses just 1/4 cup of your favorite whole coffee beans. Lightly crush the beans using a mortar and pestle or rolling pin, then place in a clean jar with a tight fitting lid.
Pour 1 cup of your favorite vodka over the crushed coffee beans and swirl to combine.
Seal the jar and place in a cool dark location for a week. Once a day or so, swirl or shake the jar to mix the beans with the vodka.
How long does it take to make coffee extract?
After a week of swirling and shaking you’ll have a beautiful, luscious black extract that can be used immediately or stored in a cool, dark location indefinitely. This extract enjoys a very long shelf life, so you’ll probably use it up before you start to wonder how old it is. Our easy method is very similar to the process used to make homemade vanilla extract.
Pour the mixture through a fine mesh sieve to remove the beans. Line the sieve with cheesecloth before straining if you think it needs it, but it’s not necessary. A little coffee bean dust is fine!
What kind of recipes are best for using coffee extract?
There’s no limit to the way you can use this magic elixir. It’s great as a one-to-one substitute for vanilla in all your baked goods. Add a teaspoon to a chocolate milkshake for a mocha rich treat or a heaping tablespoon to a steak marinade or beefy gravy. Use coffee extract in place of espresso powder in recipes. One teaspoon is about the same as 1-teaspoon espresso powder.
Mix 1 teaspoon with 1/4 cup hot water for 1/4 cup of brewed coffee. No need to turn on the coffee maker or brew a pot for a quick little pick-me-up.
Sweet or savory, I bet you’ll find plenty of ways to use your coffee extract. Divide a batch into small jars and share with the coffee lover in your life. They’ll love this thoughtful homemade gift!
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Helpful kitchen tools for making homemade Coffee Extract:
Once you have a mortar and pestle in your kitchen, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without one! It’s perfect for many small tasks like cracking coffee beans for homemade Coffee Extract, or for crushing herbs, spices or even pills. We use ours frequently and find it very effective.
Is it possible to have too many measuring cups with a spout? I think not! These inexpensive kitchen tools are very helpful in our everyday life.
Click on the photos for more information or to purchase from Amazon.
*Saving Room for Dessert is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program ~ I earn a small commission, at no additional cost to you, which I use to pay for web hosting and services for this blog. Thanks for supporting SRFD!
PRINT THE RECIPE!
Ingredients
- ¼ cup whole, fresh coffee beans
- 1 cup vodka
Instructions
- Lightly crush or crack the coffee beans using a rolling pin or mortar and pestle. Transfer the beans to a small jar with a tight fitting lid. Add the vodka and seal the jar. Place in a cool, dark location for at least a week, swirling or shaking daily to mix.
- Strain the coffee extract to remove the crushed coffee beans. Discard the beans. Seal the extract and store in a cool, dark location.
Recipe Notes
Finally, here are a few recipes you might also enjoy:
Luscious Irish Cream Breakfast Cake
Fun Irish Coffee Cupcakes
Alison says
I found this recipe too late – I need the coffee essence in 2 day’s time. Do you have any quicker alternatives to make coffee essence? Will try this recipe next time.
Tricia Buice says
Hi Alison. I might try mixing a very small amount of espresso powder with vodka. Or, check a well stocked grocery store and see if they have it in the baking aisle. Otherwise, just add a little espresso powder and water in place of the essence. Good luck!
CHRISTINE says
THANK YOU SO MUCH! I followed this recipe as written! PERFECT! I made some dynamite chocolate cookies and used this….WOWZA!
Tricia Buice says
Thank you Christine! So happy you enjoyed the extract. Thanks for the feedback!
Skylar says
I made this and we love to add it to our chocolate frosting for cakes! I even made ice cream with it and it was perfect!
I’m wondering if you have any suggestions for the coffee beans once they’ve been strained out.
Tricia Buice says
Thanks for trying the extract Skylar. So glad you are enjoying it! The bean should be discarded once soaked in vodka. Unless you want to roast and dry them out, I don’t think you can use them for anything.
Emily says
I feel like all I could taste was something like bitter vodka when I tried using mine to make shortbread cookies. What did I do wrong? Does the quality of vodka matter? I’m going to try it again with better vodka.
Tricia Buice says
Hi Emily. I don’t think you need to use really expensive vodka. If you would drink it, then it should be fine. Make sure you don’t over-crush the coffee beans and that they are fresh. It’s not sweetened so if you taste it not mixed into anything, it may taste bitter. I hope it didn’t make the shortbread cookies taste bad. Hope it turns out better next time and thanks for the feedback.
Holly Hockett says
OMG, this sounds divine, I’m going to make it tonight! How long does it keep? Not that it’ll stick around very long, but if I give any away, I’d like to pass along the knowledge 😉
Tricia Buice says
Hi Holly – if kept well sealed in a cool, dark location, it should keep as long as vanilla or other extracts. Enjoy!
Judy says
Hi Tricia,
Can I use my coffee grinder, or woukd that make the grounds too fine?
Tricia Buice says
Hi Judy. I don’t recommend using a coffee grinder but am fine with using a rolling pin! If the grounds are very fine, they’re very hard to strain out of the extract. Hope that makes sense. Good luck and enjoy!
Francis Mathews says
Should I roast the coffee beans to make coffee essence?
Tricia Buice says
Hi Francis. Coffee beans we purchase in the stores are already roasted. No need to roast again. Let me know if I misread your question. Thanks!
Susan says
Pinning this to try, Tricia. Thank you!
Tricia Buice says
Thank you Susan!
Chris Scheuer says
What a wonderful idea, Tricia, and SO easy. I love it!
Tricia Buice says
Thanks Chris!
John / Kitchen Riffs says
What a great recipe! We keep espresso powder in our freezer, but this looks much more versatile and flavorful. Great idea! Will be trying this — thanks!
Tricia Buice says
Thanks John!
sue | the view from great island says
So cool, I love making my own extracts and this is one I haven’t tried. What a great way to add a jolt of caffeine to a cake, or ice cream, or…the possibilities are endless! Pinning 🙂
Tricia Buice says
It’s great in everything Sue. Thanks so much!
angiesrecipes says
This is even better than vanilla extract! Really cool, Tricia. I wonder if it will work with espresso powder..
Tricia Buice says
Thanks Angie – you must give it a try!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
Such a great idea! Would be so handy to have in the pantry for all sorts of things. Can’t wait to try this 🙂
Tricia Buice says
Thanks Jennifer! We have some recipes coming up that use Coffee Extract – hope you find one that is a must make 🙂