How to Infuse Vodka With Flavor

There is a wide array of vodkas on the market today, such as Smirnoff and Absolut. These brands have begun making flavored variations of their classic vodka. Even if you like the flavors that they make, you might wish to try one for yourself. In order to do this, you need to know how to infuse vodka with flavor.

Things You'll Need

• Glass container
• Vodka
• Flavorings

Instructions

1. Gather your ingredients. To infuse vodka with flavor, you only need vodka and whatever flavor you want to use. When choosing vodka, make sure that you choose a good quality vodka that has been distilled. Don't use rye or potato vodka, which are harder to infuse.

2. Gather your supplies. You will need a mixing spoon and a tall, cylindrical glass container, preferably a jar with a tight fitting lid and a drainage spout for easy dispensing later.

3. Clean your ingredients. If you are using fresh fruit or other plant-based additives such as vanilla or star anise, you should make sure they are clean. Rinse all fruit in clean water and pat dry before using. If you are using oranges, peel them first as the skin will make the vodka taste bitter.

4. Put your infusion ingredients in the jar first, and then fill the jar the rest of the way with vodka. Make sure that you put the solid ingredients in first or they might float to the top and infuse your vodka unevenly.

5. Seal the jar with the tight fitting lid and put the jar in the refrigerator or somewhere away from sunlight. Allow the ingredients to infuse the vodka with flavor. Depending on your ingredients, the infusion times will be different:

   3 to 4 Days: Vanilla beans, citrus fruits, mint, garlic, tarragon, basil, oregano, dill and thyme
   About a week: Softer berries (such as blackberries, raspberries and strawberries), melons and peaches
   Up to and including 2 weeks: Chili peppers, pineapple, fresh ginger, lemon grass and other delicately flavored ingredients

6. Taste your vodka when you think it might be ready. If it isn't as infused as you think it should be, leave it to infuse for longer.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want to speed up the infusion process or deepen the flavor, sprinkle a layer of sugar over the top of the fruit before adding the vodka. Then occasionally stir the mixture to dissolve any settled sugar.

• There is no need to remove the fruit once you have infused your vodka. It makes the jar pretty if that is what you intend to serve your infused vodka in.

• Softer flavored or more fibrous ingredients will take longer to infuse. If you are infusing vodka for a party, make sure you have enough time to get it to the perfect consistency in flavor.