Infused Spirits 101: How to Make Flavored Vodka at Home

Making flavored vodka at home is a fun and creative way to elevate your cocktails or even craft thoughtful gifts. With just a few simple ingredients and a little patience, you can infuse vodka with virtually any flavor you can imagine—from fruity and floral to spicy and savory. Let’s get started with a step by step!

Step 1: Choose Your Vodka

The base vodka is the star of your infusion, so opt for a mid-range bottle that’s smooth and neutral. Avoid bottom-shelf brands, as their harsher flavors might overpower your infusion. You don’t need to splurge on the top shelf, though—something affordable yet good-quality will work perfectly.

Step 2: Pick Your Ingredients

Here’s where the magic happens! Choose fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor. Here are some popular options:

Fruits: Strawberries, oranges, pineapples, or blueberries

Herbs: Mint, basil, rosemary, or thyme

Spices: Cinnamon sticks, vanilla beans, or peppercorns

Others: Coffee beans, jalapeños, or even candy

Feel free to mix and match for a unique blend. For instance, strawberry-basil or orange-vanilla can make for delightful combinations.

Step 3: Prepare Your Ingredients

Wash and dry all fruits, herbs, and spices. Cut larger fruits into small pieces to maximize surface area, allowing the vodka to absorb the flavors more effectively. If you’re using citrus fruits, peel them to avoid bitterness from the pith.

Step 4: Combine and Seal

Place your prepared ingredients into a clean glass jar or bottle. Pour vodka over the ingredients, ensuring they’re fully submerged. Seal the container tightly with a lid.

Step 5: Infuse and Shake

Store the jar in a cool, dark place. Shake it gently once a day to help release the flavors. Infusion times vary depending on the ingredients:

Fruits: 3-5 days

Herbs: 1-3 days

Spices: 4-7 days

Taste the vodka daily after the minimum infusion time to ensure it’s not over-infused.

Step 6: Strain and Store

Once your vodka reaches the desired flavor, strain out the solids using a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth. Pour the infused vodka back into a clean bottle, seal it, and label it for easy identification.

Step 7: Enjoy!

Use your infused vodka to create one-of-a-kind cocktails. Add it to lemonade, soda, or use it as the base for a martini. Cheers to your creativity!