While we offer our own flavored 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 flavor. 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 flavor. 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 flavor 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 flavors may include cucumber, watermelon, jalapeño and rosemary, but the possibilities are basically endless. Think about some of the complementary flavor 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 unflavored, premium vodka to make sure the taste will really shine through.
Next, you need to choose your natural ingredients. We recommend some of the flavors 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 flavor.
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 flavor sing. Or you can add it to a recipe to amp up or complement a particular flavor. For example, mango infused vodka with a Mango Collins, lavender infused vodka in a Vodka Lemonade, cucumber infused vodka with a GREY GOOSE® & Cucumber or cranberry infused vodka with a Vodka Lime & Soda. One of our favorite 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 flavored vodkas, or Grey Goose Essences, which are made with real fruit and botanical essences. Either way, flavor 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.)
How long should infused vodka sit? ›
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.
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.
Does homemade infused vodka go bad? ›
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. Fill your infusion kit to the top with the spirit of your choice. (Make sure to fill all the way to the rim of the jar for maximum infusion volume.)
Do you infuse vodka in the fridge? ›
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.
How long can fruit stay in infused vodka? ›
Infuse for 3 to 5 days: Shake the jar of fruit and vodka daily. You'll see the vodka gradually take on the color of the fruit. Taste it after 3 days and continue infusing to your liking. Most fruit vodkas are finished in 3 to 5 days, but you can continue infusing the vodka for longer.
Why is my infused vodka cloudy? ›
Fresh ingredients infuse more quickly than dried. Once the vodka is perfectly flavored, strain out the solid ingredients and discard them. If the vodka is still a little cloudy, strain it again before pouring it into a clean jar (you can just wash and reuse the infusing jar), and capping.
How long does pineapple infused vodka last? ›
A vodka pineapple co*cktail is refreshing, and so is this pineapple-infused vodka! It will keep for approximately two weeks in the refrigerator after it's strained.
What fruit is good to soak in alcohol? ›
The Best Booze Soaked Fruits
- Bourbon Soaked Cherries. If there's fruit, it counts as health food, right? ...
- Vodka Soaked Strawberries. Straight from the berry patch of your dreams | Recipe.
- Champagne Soaked, Frosting Covered Strawberries. ...
- Frozen, Beer Soaked Watermelon.
There are a few different clarification tools you can use, depending on the level of clarity the liquid requires. Fine Strainers: These can remove larger particles from a liquid. Coffee filters are also helpful for finer particles. Cheesecloth: A versatile tool that captures medium-sized particles.
Add cinnamon sticks and fill with Tito's Handmade Vodka. Store in a cool dark place for 5 days, taste-testing daily. Strain the infusion once desired flavor is reached.
What is the best container to infuse vodka? ›
The first thing you need with any infusion is a clean container. Our favorite containers to use are simple canning jars. They hold about 12 oz of fluid and keep a tight seal.
What helps vodka taste better? ›
What To Mix With Vodka
- Soda Water.
- Cranberry Juice.
- Tonic Water.
- Orange Juice.
- Half & Half Spindrift.
- Ginger Beer.
- Grapefruit Juice and a Splash of Soda.
- Lime Juice and Simple Syrup.
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.
What can I mix with vodka to stay hydrated? ›
It's vodka soda or vodka water. Vodka soda contains a mix of vodka with either soda water, club soda, or seltzer, whereas vodka water is simply the liquor combined with still water. Mild and refreshing, the drink can give you a head start on rehydrating your body, which may prevent those awful hangover symptoms.
