infusion

Flavored vodkas are easily found in every liquor store and are even easier to make at home.  All you need are fruits, herbs, and/or vegetables of your choice – plus some high-quality vodka… oh, and about 7 to 10 days (with the exception of the jalapeno vodka, which will be ready in 3 to 5 days).  I’ll be making four different flavors today and will follow up at the end of the month with a cocktail for each flavor.  So if you want to join me, run out and buy the ingredients today and we’ll toast each other in about a week!

Vegetable Vodka

3 garlic cloves, peeled and lightly crushed
1/2 red bell pepper, seeded and thinly sliced
3 green onions, quartered lengthwise and then halved
4-inches off the top of 1 bunch of celery, including leaves
1/2 fennel bulb plus a few fronds, thinly sliced
4 cups premium vodka

Place garlic and vegetables in a large clean and air-tight jar or bottle, add vodka, and store in a dark and cool place for 7 to 10 days. Shake the container at least once, and up to 3 times, a day.

Once the vodka is infused, strain the vodka through a fine-mesh strainer into another clean jar or bowl.  You can return it to its original jar if you would like, cleaning the jar or bottle thoroughly first. Store as you would any other vodka.

Pineapple Vodka

3/4 fresh pineapple, trimmed, cored, and cut into thin slices
2 cups premium vodka

Place pineapple slices in a large clean and air-tight jar or bottle, add vodka, and store in a dark and cool place for 7 to 10 days. Shake the container at least once, and up to 3 times, a day.

Once the vodka is infused, strain the vodka through a fine-mesh strainer into another clean jar or bowl.  You can return it to its original jar if you would like, cleaning the jar or bottle thoroughly first. Store as you would any other vodka.

Jalapeno Vodka

5 large jalapeno peppers, cut into thin slices
2 cups vodka

Place jalapeno slices in a clean and air-tight jar or bottle, add vodka, and store in a dark and cool place for 3 to 5 days. Shake the container at least once, and up to 3 times, a day.

Once the vodka is infused, strain the vodka through a fine-mesh strainer into another clean jar or bowl.  You can return it to its original jar if you would like, cleaning the jar or bottle thoroughly first. Store as you would any other vodka.

Berry-Basil Vodka

16-ounce package strawberries, hulled and cut into 6 wedges, lengthwise
6-ounce package raspberries
12 basil leaves, lightly crushed
3 cups premium vodka

Place berries and basil leaves in a large clean and air-tight jar or bottle, add vodka, and store in a dark and cool place for 7 to 10 days. Shake the container at least once, and up to 3 times, a day.

Once the vodka is infused, strain the vodka through a fine-mesh strainer into another clean jar or bowl.  You can return it to its original jar if you would like, cleaning the jar or bottle thoroughly first. Store as you would any other vodka.