Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 2: The week infusion
• Choosing and preparing the ingredients
• Infusing vodka
• Method 2 of 2: flavored vodka in minutes
• Tips
• Warnings
• Necessities

Infusing vodka (adding a flavor) is all the rage right now - from mango to bacon, it seems like no flavor is too crazy. So why not save some money and add a flavor to your vodka yourself? Maybe to show off at a party, to give it as a present or to make an absurdly delicious cocktail. Follow the simple steps below to learn how to infuse vodka with your favorite flavor.

To step

Method 1 of 2: The week infusion

Choosing and preparing the ingredients

1. Choose your vodka. As it is said, if the base is not solid, then the whole building will collapse (or something like that.) If the vodka you are using is not of good quality ( * cough * vodka in plastic bottles * cough *) then it will not help to flavor it, because you keep tasting that it has a chemical flavor. Look for a reasonable vodka - something that tastes fine but isn't top end.
2. Choose a flavor. You can get as creative as you want to do this - any flavor is possible these days, from whipped cream to bacon (don't write it off before you've tried it). chillies or herbs (or bacon) at home. You don't have to limit yourself to just 1 ingredient. Here are a few ideas:
   • Use 1 flavor. Options include mango, orange zest, watermelon, apple, blueberry, vanilla, cinnamon, basil, chili pepper, horseradish, or bacon.
   • Combine chili pepper, horseradish, and bacon for the best bloody mary you've ever tasted.
   • Combine orange zest and cinnamon for a sit-by-the-fireplace-during-a-snowstorm feeling. For a Christmas atmosphere, combine cranberry and a vanilla pod.
   • Combine passion fruit, mangoes and pineapple - you're sitting on a white sand beach drinking the most delicious cocktail you've ever had. See the Tips section for more ideas.
   • Take the right amount of the ingredient you want to flavor the vodka with. Vodka (as anyone who has ever tasted it knows) has its own taste. To change the natural flavor by adding the ingredient of your choice, you will need to add the right amount of fruits, spices, etc. Use the following guidelines for amounts per liter of vodka.
   • If you want to combine vodka with fruit, use 1-3 pieces of fruit, depending on the size. Keep 2 large apples as a guide; 1 piece of fruit is usually sufficient for the larger fruits (such as grapefruit), but if it concerns smaller fruits, you need 3-4 pieces (apricots, plums, etc.).
   • If you use fresh herbs, you will need a handful of them, depending on how strong the flavor is. Take half of that when using dried herbs or spices.
   • If you want berry flavored vodka, add at least a cup of berries (but feel free to add more).
   • If you want to combine pepper with vodka, use as much as you want. The more you use and the longer you let it steep, the spicier the end result will be.
3. Prepare the ingredients. Infusing your vodka with fruit that hasn't been washed yet can create nasty situations at your party when people start commenting that the vodka has dirt floating in it. So wash all fresh ingredients thoroughly first. Furthermore, the preparations will depend on the ingredient:
   • Cut fruit into pieces to enlarge the surface and accelerate pulling, remove pits, seeds and roots. If you use larger pieces of fruit such as mango or pineapple, cut the fruit into large pieces.
   • For citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons, use a grater. The white part of the peel is bitter and you can use a grater to prevent it from entering your vodka.
   • Leave berries whole but lightly crush them. Also remove any stems.
   • Herbs have to be squeezed slightly beforehand, as this will release the flavor. If you're using vanilla pods, cut the stick in half lengthwise, keeping the top intact (you'll end up with a sort of inverted "V").
   • Cut off the bottom of any chilies. Not too much, because the seeds must remain in the pepper.
   • If you make vodka with bacon, you are actually using the fat from the bacon, not the bacon itself. Fry a few slices of bacon and pour the fat into a bowl. You need 2 tablespoons of bacon fat for 1 bottle (750 ml) of vodka.

Infusing vodka

1. Place all ingredients in an airtight cup or jar. Glass jars with airtight lids work best for infusing vodka. The amount of vodka you are going to flavor (a whole bottle, or half, etc.) will determine how many jars you need. In general, dividing up your ingredients is most convenient so that half can be put in one jar and half in the other. If you have a glass jar or pitcher that can hold a whole bottle of vodka, just use it.
   • The relative amount of each ingredient, if you use several, depends on your personal preference.
2. Infuse! Fill the jar with vodka, seal it, and store it in a safe place. Place it in the refrigerator to keep it cool or in another location as long as it is not in direct sunlight.
3. Wait and shake. The timing isn't exactly scientific, but most recipes take 2-5 days to absorb properly. Generally, citrus fruits and other strong tasting ingredients will be ready faster, while more subtle flavors like vanilla or ginger may take a week or more. Shake the jar or can once a day to speed up the infusion process. To make sure your vodka has gotten the flavor you want, try after 2 days and then every day until satisfied.
   • Sometimes it is advised to let the ingredients steep for 2 or more weeks, but this is only necessary if you are going to make it in quantities that are previously intended for a restaurant. One week is enough for a liter of vodka.
4. Filter the vodka. Once the vodka has acquired the desired taste, you will want to pour the drink into another bottle. Use a funnel and a sieve to make this a bit easier. The easiest way is to pour the vodka into the original bottle, but you can also use nice, new bottles that you have come across somewhere (this is great if you want to give the vodka as a present).
   • The reason you want to filter the ingredients out of the vodka is that if you let the ingredients sit, the flavor might get too strong (no one wants to drink vodka that has chilies in it for a month).
   • Do not throw away the ingredients. If you used fruit as a seasoning for your vodka, you can still eat it. They are now full of fruity vodka flavor (don't eat them before you get behind the wheel).
5. Try and enjoy!

Method 2 of 2: flavored vodka in minutes

This quick method also works for flavoring olive oil.

1. Prepare the fruit and / or spices in the same way as previously described for a normal infusion.
2. Pour the drink into a whipped cream can or siphon, one that holds nitrous oxide cartridges.
3. Put a gas can in the siphon. Leave the siphon for a minute.
4. Replace the gas cartridge with a new one and shake the siphon for another minute.
5. With the bottle upright holding the syringe in the glass hanging upside down over another glass, gently push the trigger to release the gas.
   • Keep the siphon upright –– if you turn the can upside down, all the liquid will spray out; the glass that hangs upside down is meant to catch any liquid caused by pressing the trigger too hard.
6. After all the gas has escaped, you can pass the contents of the bottle through a strainer and pour into a glass.

Tips

• If you feel your infusion is too strong, add more vodka to dilute the flavor.
• You can also use other drinks such as gin, rum, whiskey and even gin.
• Use fresh ingredients and nothing canned or prepared.
• You can also use other types of sweets, whatever you like.
• Try two cinnamon sticks and half of a vanilla stick. After two weeks you will get a deep orange color and a full, rich spicy taste. Try it with homemade ginger ale in the summer.
• Over time, the fruit in the infusion will lose color. So the strawberries can eventually turn ghostly white!
• Also try walnuts, hazelnuts or almonds. Roast it in the oven for an even richer taste and release of the oil before adding it to the vodka.
• Don't be disappointed if you don't get it right the first time. Often you will have to adjust the type and amount of ingredients, or even the vodka.
• Do not add sugar to the infusion unless there is no other option because you want to mask a certain bitter ingredient. The natural flavors usually don't need it and you can always add sweets afterwards if you prefer.
• Vodka with spices is also known as schnapps and in Sweden it belongs to smorgasbord at Christmas time.

Warnings

• Make sure there is no odor or residue in the jug that you are using to flavor the vodka. You don't want your vodka to taste like soap or pickles!

Necessities

• 750 ml of vodka
• A seasoning (fruit, peppers, herbs, berries, etc.)
• Can with airtight lid