Substitutes For Vanilla Extract 1. Maple syrup Use what … Vanilla Extract (natural) includes the various chemical components from a vanilla pod. Vanilla Syrup as a thick, thick consistency, while Vanilla Extract is relatively thinner and more fluid. Vanilla Syrup is a sugar and water mixture, that is flavored with a small anoynt of vanilla extract. Vanilla syrup has a much thicker consistency to it and its taste is also much sweeter in nature. Vanilla extract, meanwhile, has a much more bitter flavor while also being thinner and more liquidy. Vanilla Syrup is a sugar and water mixture, that is flavored with a small anoynt of vanilla extract. Vanilla syrup makes use of a little bit vanilla extract to produce the vanilla flavor and aroma, and typically tastes sweet due to the being rich of sugar. So, despite sharing similar names, vanilla syrup and vanilla extract are actually quite different from one another. Vanilla syrup is made from water, sugar, in some cases salt, and vanilla extract is made from water, vanillin, and alcohol. Vanilla Syrup vs Vanilla Extract Conclusion So, vanilla syrup and vanilla extract are very different from each other. Vanilla Syrup typically tastes sweet-, while Vanilla extract Features a severe, biting taste. On the contrary, vanilla extract does not contain additional sugar, and features a high amount of alcohol; thus the taste is harsh and biting.