Homemade Coconut Extract is so easy to make and adds such a sweet and tropical coconut flavor to all your favorite recipes.
There are a few factors that can have a great effect on the flavor of your coconut extract. The coconut you use, the alcohol you use, and how long you let the coconut steep in the alcohol to infuse it and extract the flavors.
INGREDIENTS
- ¾ - 1 cup of shredded coconut (unsweetened)
- ¾ cup Rum or other distilled alcohol (enough to cover the coconut)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Place the shredded coconut in a jar or other airtight container.
- Pour enough rum over the coconut to cover it. You will typically use equal parts.
- Place in a cool, dark area and let sit for several days to 2 weeks, giving your jar a good shake about once a day.
- Once your extract has reached your desired level of coconutty-ness, drain the extract from the shredded coconut and store it in an airtight jar cool, dark place.
Enjoy!
**NOTE: As others have experimented with this recipe, many recommend doing multiple changeouts every two weeks to 1 month with fresh coconut to reach your desired sweetness. Remember, "Sweet" is a subjective term - what is sweet to one may not be sweet to everyone. This recipe (and most extract recipes) can be duplicated again and again to reach a taste profile that is ideal to its maker.
Comments
Hi Cindy! We always recommend using an alcohol of 70-100 proof (35-50 percent). Using Everclear in this recipe will result in a different flavored extract but you can definitely use it! You will just need to dilute the Everclear with filtered or distilled water to obtain an ideal proof for extracting. For example if the Everclear is 195 proof add an equal volume of Everclear to water to obtain a proof of 97.5.
This extract takes a couple of weeks to complete, so not long at all! After this time you could do a taste test and if you’d like it to have a stronger coconut flavor, you can leave it to extract for up to 2 months, keep trying it along the way until the taste is to your liking :-)
This recipe doesn’t include vanilla beans but if you fancy adding them to your extract for an extra sweet and creamy flavor, then you can copy and paste the following link into your browser for a video tutorial on how to make our ’Creamy Coconut Vanilla Extract". Vanilla beans used in this extract can absolutely be added to your mother jar once it is done :-)
https://www.vanillapura.com/blogs/extract-recipes/creamy-coconut-vanilla-extract?pos=2&_sid=449bc707a&ss=r
Happy Extracting!
What proof do you use? Can you use Everclear? How long do you keep the covered coconut in the jar before straining it. Can you make a mother jar
We have never had a problem with the coconut hardening or separating before. As with other extracts, we sometimes strain out the contents with a fine mesh strainer, cheesecloth, or coffee filter. Make sure to press on the coconut to release all the extract. Then try the extract; if the taste is to your liking, you’re finished! Start adding it to your favorite recipes. If you think it needs more coconut flavor, add another round of coconut and wait another two weeks. Good luck!
My coconut extract has divided clear from a milky creamy part about half and half. Is that normal?
My coconut extract was made in January- I just noticed that it has separated with a thin line of white at the top. It’s firm and it will crumble but doesn’t mix back into the extract. Should I remove it? Is my extract bad now?
Do you use sweetened or unsweetened coconut?
Hi Jody!
Absolutely! That sounds delicious. :) Let us know how it turns out!
Can you also dry out the coconut and make sugar?
How long does it take coconut extract to set up before ready to use.