Last Updated on June 1, 2025 by Nico
Making homemade orange extract is a great way to incorporate the flavour of orange into homemade baking and beyond. This simple orange extract recipe uses only two ingredients and is easy for beginners to make!
As the holiday baking season approaches, I’m in the process of preparing a few of my favourite homemade extracts. I like to make coffee and cinnamon extract, and I’ve made a lemon extract this year as well. I like to add them to my baking in lieu of vanilla extract and also into homemade cocktails! Homemade orange extract is a great one for capturing the orange essence and the extract adds a big citrus fruit flavour to whatever you’re making.
Why make orange extract
Very easy
I like to make my own extracts at home because they are incredibly simple and low maintenance to make. It brightens up sugar cookies, homemade salad dressings, and even iced tea in the summertime.
Avoids toxic chemicals
They also make it so we can avoid consuming artificial flavors and dyes that are often found in store-bought extracts.
Reduces waste
Making extracts with fruits like oranges also means that you don’t let parts of the fruit go to waste like the orange peels or orange zest.
Makes a great gift
I think homemade extracts make a perfect gift for friends and family and elevate your homemade baking.
How to use orange extract
You can use orange extract in place of orange juice flavors or orange flavoring. Here are some ideas!
- Add to ice cream toppings and into homemade syrups
- Stir into your morning smoothie
- Add to iced tea for a citrus note
- Use in salad dressings for extra zest
- Infuse into cocktails like margaritas or mojitos
- Mix with melted chocolate to make an orange-chocolate
- Use in marinades (I like to use it when I cook duck!)
What oranges to use
When you make homemade extracts with fresh fruit, it’s best to use organic oranges
If you’re making homemade extracts, it’s best to use organic produce to avoid poisonous pesticides. If you can find organic organes, I recommend using them!
You also want to choose unwaxed oranges, so you can use the orange part of the peel and not worry about residues in your final extract.
The orange peel should be firm and bright, without bruises or soft spots. I like to use navel oranges or blood oranges to make this extract because they have an extra citrusy flavour – but use what you have and can find!
Simple orange extract recipe
Tools
An airtight container with a tight-fitting lid – I use a glass mason jar with parchment paper between the metal lid and tincture or extract to prevent the alcohol from corroding the metal.
Glass storage jar – I like these glass jars. You can use an amber glass bottle if you want the extract to have more protection from UV light but it’s not necessary.
A fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth – I like these unbleached ones
A small funnel
A grater or knife – for grating the orange peel or cutting the peels off
Supplies
Fresh oranges – unwaxed and organic oranges are best
80-proof vodka (or 40% alcohol)
For complete measurements, see the printable recipe card below.
Instructions
Use a knife or vegetable peeler to remove the orange part of the peel. Avoid the white part and the bitter white pith.
Add the zest into a clean jar.
Cover the zest with alcohol until everything is completely submerged. The alcohol will help extract and preserve the orange oil which is responsible for the orange-y flavour!
Add a lid and shake the jar to make sure everything is covered.
Set it in a dark, cool place for 4-6 weeks away from direct sunlight. If you want a stronger extract, you can leave it for 6-8 weeks. Aim to shake it daily to keep everything moving.
After 6 weeks, use a mesh strainer or cheesecloth to strain off the extract.
Use a small funnel (or your best aim) to bottle the extract. And that’s it!
How much orange extract to use?
A small amount of pure orange extract goes a long way. Think of it like vanilla extract and only use a little bit in your baking. Otherwise, the orange flavour may be overpowering.
How long does orange extract last?
If you strain off the extract, keep it sealed, and store it in a cool place, it should last a few years!
How to make this without alcohol
You can simply swap the alcohol for store-bought apple cider vinegar or food-grade glycerin. Vinegar and glycerin aren’t as good as alcohol at extracting the beneficial compounds or preserving them. I like to consume vinegar-based extracts within about 6 months and glycerin-based extracts within a year.
Good flavour combinations
- Orange and vanilla go well together – you can make your own vanilla extract by steeping vanilla pods in rum or another alcohol!
- Orange and lemon extract pair nicely together!
- Orange and cinnamon go well together in baked goods or hot drinks
- Orange and ginger pair nicely in marinades or smoothies
Disclaimer – I’m not a medical professional and do not intend to offer medical or health advice in any content I create. I offer information for educational purposes and, as always, get your physician’s advice or the advice of your health care provider before trying a new herbal remedy. There are always possible unintended consequences of trying a new herbal remedy such as an allergic reaction or unexpected side effects like interactions with other medication.
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Simple Homemade Orange Extract Recipe (For Baking & More)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Use a knife or vegetable peeler to remove the orange part of the peel. Avoid the white part and the bitter white pith.
- Add the zest into a clean jar.
- Cover the zest with alcohol until everything is completely submerged. The alcohol will help extract and preserve the orange oil which is responsible for the orange-y flavour!
- Add a lid and shake the jar to make sure everything is covered.
- Set it in a dark, cool place for 4-6 weeks away from direct sunlight. If you want a stronger extract, you can leave it for 6-8 weeks. Aim to shake it daily to keep everything moving.
- After 6 weeks, use a mesh strainer or cheesecloth to strain off the extract.
- Use a small funnel (or your best aim) to bottle the extract. And that’s it!
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