While we offer our own flavoured vodka products, you may want to experiment with creating your own variations. It’s easier than you might think, and can elevate any co*cktail with a burst of flavour. Mix some of your own infused vodka into your next co*cktail while you’re connecting with friends, or even bottle your concoctions up in pretty packages and give them away as memorable gifts. Here’s the 101 on how to infuse vodka yourself.
What Are Vodka Infusions?
Simply put, vodka infusions are when you take vodka and infuse it with flavour. The process requires adding natural ingredients to a container along with the vodka and letting it sit, at least overnight. The spirit then takes on the natural flavour of the ingredients you let intermingle with it.
What to Infuse Vodka With
You can infuse vodka with pretty much whatever your heart desires! Some popular flavours may include cucumber, watermelon, jalapeño and rosemary, but the possibilities are basically endless. Think about some of the complementary flavour combinations you like in your drinks, too, like cherry and vanilla, or cranberry and orange, and infuse your vodka with a couple different ingredients.
How to Make a Vodka Infusion
The steps for making a vodka infusion are really quite simple. First up, you need the vodka. Of course, we recommend an unflavoured, premium vodka to make sure the taste will really shine through.
Next, you need to choose your natural ingredients. We recommend some of the flavours above, but you can get really inventive with it. Have fun experimenting.
Then, you need the vessel you’ll use for the infusion. Because most vodka bottles have narrow openings, you probably can’t infuse it in the original bottle itself. We recommend quart-sized mason jars that you can seal tightly and use again and again.
Add your vodka and ingredients to your mason jar. Make sure you wash all produce before including. You can go heavy on the fruits and veggies, but maybe a little lighter on any spices and herbs, as those provide more intense flavour.
Then, seal the jar and set it away in a cool, dark place. Some ingredients require as little as a half-day of infusion (for example, strong ingredients like jalapeños) while others (like fruit) you can keep infusing for up to a week. A good rule of thumb is 3 - 5 days, but you can always use your nose to help you decide. Just open the jar and take a whiff — if it smells fragrant, you’re probably good to go. Don’t worry about the ingredients molding in this time period — the alcohol content will protect fresh fruits and veggies.
Finally, it’s time to strain. Just pour the liquid through a fine mesh strainer or sieve into another vessel or bowl. Discard the ingredients you infused your vodka with, then pour the spirit back into the mason jar or another bottle. Et voila! You just made your own infused vodka!
How to Serve Infused Vodka
You can either drink it straight or mixed with soda to really let the infused flavour sing. Or you can add it to a recipe to amp up or complement a particular flavour. For example, mango infused vodka with a Mango Collins, lavender infused vodka in a Vodka Lemonade, cucumber infused vodka with a Cucumber Fizz or cranberry infused vodka with a Vodka Lime & Soda. One of our favourite infused vodka recipes is the Fig Reviver, which uses vodka infused with fresh figs for 24 hours.
So now you know how to infuse your own vodka. It’s simple! But if you want to keep things even simpler, you could always buy one of our flavoured vodkas. Either way, flavour awaits.
FAQs
Tips for Infusing Vodka to Perfection
Generally, it is best to use 1 cup of fruits or vegetables for every 3 cups of vodka. However, for whole herbs and spices, it would be best to adhere to a ratio of 2-to-3. (For example, for every 2 sprigs of rosemary or 2 sticks of cinnamon, use 3 cups of vodka.)
Does pineapple infused vodka go bad? ›
Store the Pineapple infused vodka in the refrigerator for 2 weeks. The vodka won't spoil, however, pineapples are perishable and after 2 weeks the pineapple flavor will not taste as fresh.
What's the difference between flavored and infused vodka? ›
Not to be confused with flavored vodka, infused vodka is truly a work of art. This is another DIY option, but the difference lies in production, taste, and overall quality compared to flavored vodkas. The added flavors (usually fruit or herbs) are steeped in the vodka to allow for maximum impact.
How do you preserve infused vodka? ›
Vodka made with perishable items, like fresh fruit or herbs, should be stored in the fridge. If you used shelf-stable items like dried spices or dried fruit, the vodka can be stored at room temperature.
How long should you infuse vodka? ›
Infusing involves steeping one or more ingredients in a distilled spirit to extract flavor. With its neutral taste, vodka is well suited to take on the flavors of various ingredients. While it's a simple process, infusing does take time (about 3 to 7 days).
Does homemade infused vodka go bad? ›
Strain your infusion using a fine mesh strainer.
Infused spirits are best enjoyed within three months, but they will never go bad. See our co*cktail recipes for ideas on how to use your infused alcohol.
What is the best container to infuse vodka? ›
A Note on Infusion Containers
As Chris does in the video, you can use a beverage server, but we find that Mason jars or other similar glass jars or sealable glass containers work best. Whatever you choose, make sure you have a really clean container– especially if you're reusing something like a pasta sauce jar.
How long can fruit stay in infused vodka? ›
As a good general rule, you should infuse your liquor for three to five days prior to serving it. However, there are exceptions. For example, if you are infusing your vodka with fruit, it is perfectly fine to let it sit in the fridge for a full week prior to serving.
What is the best fruit to infuse with vodka? ›
This is also perfect for when you're not in the mood for a big preserving project, but want a quick way to make sure that handful of juicy berries, plump purple figs, or last peaches doesn't go to waste. Because a bottle of jewel-colored, summer fruit-infused vodka will never go to waste. Trust me on this.
Why is my infused vodka cloudy? ›
Some sediment is normal for a homemade project, no matter how well you strain. However, if you ever see anything floating that looks cloudy or like mold, throw it all out. Flavors will change a little over time (often for the better), but if it tastes bad and wrong, throw it out.
Put berries directly into your bottle of Tito's Handmade Vodka. Seal and let sit out of direct sunlight. Shake or stir every so often, and test after about 15-24 hours for desired flavor. When the flavor is strong enough, strain and discard the fruit.
Should you infuse vodka at room temperature? ›
I don't like vodka alone, so I like to add a good amount of fruit so it absorbs more flavoring. Cover the canning jar and place in a dark closet or somewhere away from the sunlight at room temperature. Infuse for 3 to 5 days, shaking the jar 3 times each day.
What can I mix with vodka to get drunk faster? ›
Mixing spirits with diet mixers, like diet soda, gets you drunk faster. This may be because regular sodas are recognized as food, slowing down the body's absorption of alcohol. The body may not treat diet soda as food, allowing the alcohol to be absorbed quicker.
