With so many flavors to experiment with, you’ll love making infused vodka.
It’s perfect for gifting, too.)
Great vodka has a unique qualityit tastes like, well, nothing.
For steps and tips on how to infuse vodka, keep scrolling.
Because of its neutrality, vodka is open, a clean slate, an empty canvas.
However, the infusion process is the same as it would be for any other punch in of liquor.
Fortunately, the process takes little work (the hardest part is the waiting!).
), but different ingredients have different optimum infusion times.
The infusion times vary, but it takes anywhere from a few days up to two weeks.
Here are the general guidelines for categories of ingredients.
You should plan on infusing these fortwo weeks or longer.
Because of their stronger flavors, they only takethree to four days to infuse.
Citrus skins can bring perfumy notes to vodka, so long as the bitter white inner pith is removed.
(Bonus: With lemon-infused vodka, you’re just sugar and water away fromlimoncello.)
Hot pepper vodka goes well in things like Bloody Marys and margaritas.
Here are some tips for making perfectly infused vodka.
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.
This tip prevents unwanted microbes from developing (and keeps your spirit safe).
Also, shake your vessel every day or two to release the flavors of your ingredient into the vodka.
Infuse Longer for a Deeper Flavor
Why does the suggested infusion period have so much variation?
The longer you infuse your ingredients, the more they lend their flavor to the vodka.
(This is for the same reason thattea steeped for longer grows more intense.)
However, if you have vodka-soaked berries or other fruits, you could keep them to snack on.
Knowing this, there’s an easy hack.
To save on food costs and to prevent waste, uselessingredients and steep those ingredients forlonger.
This builds the same flavor intensity as steeping more ingredients over a shorter timeframe.
Cinnamon, while excellent for flavoring bourbon, can be too much for vodka.
Infusions made with dried or preserved ingredients, however, do not require refrigeration.
Stick to mid- to high-quality spirits, and you should have good infusion results.
