Last Updated on June 14, 2025 by Nico
Learn how to make your own strawberry extract at home using fresh strawberries and alcohol. This homemade strawberry extract recipe is simple and makes a perfect addition to summer baking and homemade ice creams.
If you’re like me and trying to avoid the artificial flavorings often found in extracts from the grocery store, making your own homemade extracts is a great skill to learn. My favourite to make is bourbon vanilla extract, but the sky is the limit. I’ve made cinnamon extract, coffee extract, and even lemon extract!
Like the others, making your own strawberry extract recipe sounds fancy, but it’s really simple. It has a natural strawberry flavor, and you are in complete control of the quality of ingredients you choose to use to make it. And just a small amount delivers an intense strawberry flavor!.
Why make your own strawberry extract?
- You can control the type of alcohol, quality, and freshness of ingredients
- Avoids unnecessary preservatives and synthetic flavoring oils
- Makes use of seasonal or even foraged fresh strawberries
- Adds concentrated strawberry flavor to recipes like ice cream, strawberry cake, frostings, and glazes
- Long shelf life when stored properly in a dark place
Can I use another alcohol besides vodka?
If you’re using dried fruit, you can use rum or brandy for different flavour profiles. Vodka offers the most neutral base and which means you can clearly taste the natural strawberry flavor. If you’re using fresh fruit, stick to an unflavoured high-proof alcohol (like Everclear) to avoid the extract going bad from the excess moisture content.
Can I use frozen strawberries?
Yes, but let them thaw and drain off excess moisture. They may produce a slightly more diluted extract. Use Everclear to make the extract or another high-proof alcohol.
Easy strawberry extract recipe
What you need
Ingredients
Fresh or dried strawberries, finely chopped
190 proof alcohol (95% alcohol) such as unflavoured Everclear – If you’re using dried strawberries, you can use 80-proof unflavoured vodka. With fresh fruit, you need to use a higher proof alcohol to offset the water content in the fruit.
Optional – Good quality vanilla beans, split
Supplies
Clean glass jar (pint mason jar with lid works well) – I use these
Cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer – I like these unbleached ones
Knife – For chopping fresh strawberries
Small bottles or jars for storing extract – I like these
For complete measurements, see the printable recipe card below.
Instructions
Wash and dry your fresh strawberries thoroughly.
Chop them into small pieces to maximize surface area. If you’re using dehydrated strawberries that aren’t chopped, don’t worry about this step.
Add the chopped berries into your mason jar, filling it about halfway. If using a vanilla bean, add it in now.
Pour the alcohol over the berries until they are completely submerged. Aim for a 1:1 ratio of strawberries to alcohol. You can adjust slightly, but this is a good base for a true extract.
If you used dehydrated strawberries, you may need to top the jar up with alcohol after they absorb some of it. Just keep the level of alcohol above the fruit.
Seal the jar tightly and add the date and label the extract. Store it in a dark place (like a pantry or cabinet) for 6-8 weeks. Shake it gently once every few days. The color will deepen and the scent will grow richer as the natural flavors extract over time.
After 6-8 weeks, strain the mixture using cheesecloth or a strainer into a clean jar or bottle. Store your finished extract in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight. Make sure you date and label the final extract so you remember when you made it and what it is.
How to store it
Store your extract in dark glass bottles with tight-fitting lids. If stored properly, this extract will keep for at least one year – the best way to do this is to store it in a dark, cool place. The alcohol content acts as a natural preservative, which helps it have a longer shelf life.
How much to use
Check your recipe. Most recipes call for ½ to 1 teaspoon of strawberry essence per batch.
How to use it
- Flavouring ice cream, whipped cream, or strawberry cake
- Enhancing homemade vanilla extract or different extracts
- Adding depth to smoothies or another beverage
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Easy Homemade Strawberry Extract Recipe (For Baking)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Wash and dry your fresh strawberries thoroughly.
- Chop them into small pieces to maximize surface area. If you’re using dehydrated strawberries that aren’t chopped, don’t worry about this step.
- Add the chopped berries into your mason jar, filling it about halfway. If using a vanilla bean, add it in now.
- Pour the alcohol over the berries until they are completely submerged. Aim for a 1:1 ratio of strawberries to alcohol. You can adjust slightly, but this is a good base for a true extract.
- If you used dehydrated strawberries, you may need to top the jar up with alcohol after they absorb some of it. Just keep the level of alcohol above the fruit.
- Seal the jar tightly and add the date and label the extract. Store it in a dark place (like a pantry or cabinet) for 6-8 weeks. Shake it gently once every few days. The color will deepen and the scent will grow richer as the natural flavors extract over time.
- After 6-8 weeks, strain the mixture using cheesecloth or a strainer into a clean jar or bottle. Store your finished extract in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight. Make sure you date and label the final extract so you remember when you made it and what it is.
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