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Last Updated on March 17, 2017 by Diane Hoffmaster
Flavored vodka can make the difference between a good summer cocktail recipe and a GREAT summer cocktail recipe. It is also incredibly easy to make flavored vodka at home with just a few simple ingredients. I am always amazed to see how much more expensive flavored vodka is than plain vodka when I make a run to the liquor store. For very little effort on your part you can easily make flavored vodka at home and save yourself some money! Here are a few tips to get you started and once my vodka is done 'incubating' I will share a recipe with you so stop by in a few weeks for an update!
Table of Contents
How to Make Flavored Vodka
What should you use to make your flavored vodka?
Honestly, you can use just about any fruit, vegetable or herb to make flavored vodka. Strong flavors require only a small amount of product and a short incubation time. Mild flavored foods will need a larger amount to start and will have to sit longer to get a noticeable flavor. Taste your infusion every few days to see how the flavor is coming along. A general guideline will be anywhere from 3 to 4 days to 2 to 3 weeks so plan ahead and don't wait til the day before you need it to start!
What materials do you need to make flavored vodka?
Honestly, the only things you need to make flavored vodka are your flavorings (or infusion ingredients as they are called), your vodka of choice, and a glass container with a screw on lid. It is a very easy process! If you are gluten intolerant you can make flavored vodka using potato vodka, which is gluten free. Start with a decent vodka...you don't need to spend a fortune but don't buy anything that will take the paint off your walls either. You want a nice lid on your container so the alcohol doesn't evaporate off as it sits. How much infusion material will you need? In general, you want to fill your glass jar or bottle approximately half-full with your flavoring ingredients, and then fill the rest with vodka. Depending on how much flavored vodka you are making, adjust your volume accordingly.
How to actually MAKE your flavored vodka:
1. Wash your glass containers with hot soapy water and dry thoroughly.
2. Wash all of your flavoring ingredients as well as possible to remove non food debris like stems and to remove any pesticide residue. Best to start with organic ingredients if at all possible.
3. Fill your glass jar about ½ way full with your infusion ingredient. Use less for strong flavors like chili peppers and more for mild flavors like apples. Make sure you cut large items into smaller pieces. Blueberries can be left whole but apples should be diced, for example.
4. Fill the container with vodka, leaving an inch or so of space at the top. Screw on the lid.
4. Let the glass containers sit in a cool, dark place until they reach the desired flavor. Check on them every few days and taste to see how strong the flavored vodka has become.
5. You can strain out the ingredients in the vodka if you want to give them as gifts. If you leave them in place, the flavor will get more intense over time. Don't forget to label them! You wouldn't want to use a spicy vodka in the wrong sort of cocktail! They will stay good for about 2 months in the refrigerator.
Have you ever made flavored vodka? What flavor did you choose to make?
Diane is a professional blogger and nationally certified pharmacy technician at Good Pill Pharmacy. She has two college aged kids, one husband and more pets than she will admit to. She earned her BS in Microbiology at the University of New Hampshire but left her career in science to become a stay at home mom. Years of playing with LEGO and coloring with crayons had her craving a more grown up purpose to her life and she began blogging and freelance writing full time. You can learn more about her HERE.
MomStart
What a great recipe! This sounds so yummy - giving these as a homemade gift is an awesome idea.
Diane
In cute little bottles tied with ribbon I could totally see them as gifts!
Kelly Hutchinson
What an easier and less expensive way to get flavoring into your vodka!
Debi
I love flavored vodka. I didn't know how easy it is to make
pattie
i had no idea it was so easy to make flavored vodka!!! i just spent a lot of money on an orange-infused bottle. totally doing this.
Virginia
Only a few days ago, I made cinnamon flavoured vodka. I used Smirnoff vodka and cinnamon sticks. I hope I don't finish it off by tasting before the incubation period is over. Lol!
After reading this post, it'll help me experiment with other things.
Thanks for sharing.
Diane
glad to help! You can infuse all sorts of flavors into vodka!
Jan
can you do peaches or oranges and how would you do almonds.this sounds so good.
Diane Hoffmaster
You can really use just about anything. For the almonds, use slivered almonds to increase surface area and make it easier for the vodka to soak in.