How to Make Orange Extract

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Have you considered creating your own extract? If you enjoy using extracts in your recipes, you’ll appreciate this easy DIY orange oil extract recipe, also known as a tincture. Similar to our Homemade vanilla extract, this type of extract is less potent than pure essential oils, but it’s highly effective.

It is fairly easy to make it at home—you just have to have a little bit of patience. But I promise, you’re going to love the results. And all you need is vodka and orange peels.

Let me show you how to make this orange extract at home.

Why Make Orange Extract

• It’s cheap, compared to store-bought ones.
• It’s easy to make.
• The orange oil extract is particularly good for homemade orange cleaning products and room sprays.
• You can use it in your baking or cooking. It will give your dish a heightened orange taste.
• It makes a beautiful gift to a friend or loved one.

Ingredients

• Vodka (any cheap vodka will do)
• Orange Peels
• Bottle or Mason Jar for Storage
• Potato Peeler (or Knife)
• Strainer

DIY Orange Extract

1. Use a potato peeler to peel 2-3 oranges. Set the peels aside. Try your best not to get the white on your peels.

1. Allow the peels to air dry for about a week.
2. Once dried, fill the large mason jar with the orange peels. I used about three hands full, but you can use as many that fit in the jar.
3. Pour 3 cups of vodka into the mason jar.

1. Place the lid of the Mason jar and tighten it. Let the vodka and orange peels sit in a dark area, like the cupboard, for 2-4 weeks. This will help infuse the vodka with the orange peels. Be sure to shake it once a day during this time.

1. Once the time period has passed, you can strain the liquid orange extract into a bottle for future use.

And that’s it. Now, you are ready to enjoy your orange oil tincture.

What can I do with the leftover orange peels?

When discarding your orange peels, you can throw them into the garbage disposal. They are great for cleaning and refreshing a smelly garbage disposal. You can also add these peels to your compost bin. Orange peels make a great addition to compost in the garden.

How long can you leave orange peels in vodka?

We recommend leaving it to infuse in the vodka for 2-4 weeks. However, the longer it infuses, the stronger and more potent it will be.

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