I was at the liquor store to buy something for a recipe I was developing for a client and I was amazed at the vodka aisle. There must have been fifty flavors of infused vodka – it was crazy!
Flavor infused vodka is a trend that is here to stay. Flavoring the alcohol allows people to create unusual mixed drinks that would have been unheard of a decade ago. Some of the flavors that I have seen are:
- Peanut Butter and Jelly
- Caramel
- Peach
- Espresso
- Chocolate
There seem to be new flavors on the shelf every time I go.
Well, infusing vodka with custom flavors is actually something that anyone can do. All you need is some imagination and a bottle of your favorite, plain vodka. You’ll get better results with better vodka, so don’t scrimp.
Fill a pint Mason jar with your flavoring ingredients and then add vodka until the jar is full. Screw on the top and let it sit for several days in a cool, dark place. Shake it daily and start tasting it on about the fourth or fifth day. When you are satisfied with the flavor, strain the vodka through a coffee filter and into a clean jar. Cover and store in a cool, dark place.
It really is that easy. Some flavors to try are:
- Red Hots candy
- Oranges
- Basil
- Garlic
- Raspberries
- Chile peppers
- Fresh ginger
Once you have your custom flavored vodkas, you can easily create some unique cocktails. What about a Red Hots and apple martini, for example?
Have you tried infusing vodka?
photo credit: Drew Stephens
