Easy Homemade Basil-Infused Vodka

Ingredients

• 5-6 fresh large basil sprigs (with leaves), approximately a large bunch
• 750mL vodka
• Two large clean bottles or jars
• Cheesecloth or other fine strainer
• Funnel

Instructions

1. Thoroughly wash basil sprigs and pat dry.
2. In a large clean bottle or jar, add basil sprigs and vodka.
3. After capping, swirl container gently.
4. Store in a cool, dark place for approximately 3 to 4 days, swirling the container gently each day.
5. Sample by pouring into a glass. If you want more flavor, allow to steep longer.
6. Carefully remove basil sprigs and discard.
7. Pour the infused vodka into the second clean bottle, filtering with the cheesecloth.
8. Carefully seal.

You can use the infused vodka right away. You can also store unused vodka tightly sealed in a cool, dark place for approximately one to two years without flavor being affected. Discard when the flavor starts to fade or tastes "off."

Variations of Basil-Infused Vodka

If you're looking to add a little more zest to your infused vodka, you can toss in a few other ingredients to the mix. The group chat will be begging you for the recipes. As with your original basil-infused vodka, store these infusions in a clean bottle in a cool, dark place for up to two years.

• You can add some sugar to sweeten up your infused vodka, but start with a tablespoon at a time, gradually adding more to taste. Alternatively, you can add simple syrup to your cocktails.
• For a refreshing spin, add cucumber! Clean a large cucumber, then cut it into wheels or sticks before adding it to your jar alongside the basil and vodka.
• Try strawberry basil infused vodka! Strawberry adds a juicy flavor and pop of color to basil-infused vodka. Clean approximately one to two cups of strawberries, hulling and cleaning each. Slice and add to your jar with basil and vodka. For a different berry twist, use one to two cups of frozen or fresh, clean raspberries.
• If you want a vodka that'll shine in a bloody Mary, add two peeled whole cloves of garlic with your basil. You can add an optional tablespoon or two of whole black peppercorns to really up the flavor.
• Imagine yourself out with a lemon-basil vodka martini. Sounds incredible, doesn't it? Clean and slice up two to three whole lemons and add that to your basil and vodka. If lime is more your jam, use one extra. If you want a citrus touch without any sourness of lemons or limes, use one whole orange.
• Stick with an herbaceous flair and add two to three sprigs of rosemary or five to six large thyme sprigs to your basil. You can even do all three!

Basil-Infused Vodka Cocktails

Show off your hard work with a few cocktails that'll highlight your infusion or add a secret complexity that stays between you and your shaker.

Basil-Infused Vodka Martini

Keep it simple, and let your flavorful vodka be the star in a martini.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces basil-infused vodka
• ½ ounce dry vermouth
• Ice
• Lemon twist for garnish

Instructions

1. Chill a martini glass or coupe.
2. In a mixing glass, add ice, basil-infused vodka, and dry vermouth.
3. Stir rapidly to chill.
4. Strain into chilled glass.
5. Garnish with lemon twist.

Basil-Infused Vodka Highball

Go the bubbly route and add some club soda to your vodka for an elegant highball. You can also use a flavored club soda such as lemon, lime, or coconut.

Ingredients

• 2½ ounces basil-infused vodka
• Ice
• Club soda to top off
• Lemon wheel for garnish

Instructions

1. In a highball glass, add ice and basil-infused vodka.
2. Top off with club soda.
3. Garnish with lemon wheel.

Cucumber Basil-Infused Vodka Smash

If you don't want to add cucumber to your basil infusion, you can always muddle some into your drink.

Ingredients

• 2-3 cucumber wheels
• 2 ounces basil-infused vodka
• ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
• ½ ounce simple syrup
• Ice
• Lime wheel and basil sprig for garnish

Instructions

1. In a cocktail shaker, muddle cucumber slices with a splash of simple syrup.
2. Add ice, basil-infused vodka, lime juice, and remaining simple syrup.
3. Shake to chill.
4. Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
5. Garnish with lime wheel and basil sprig.

A Cosmo in the Garden

You can let the basil-infused vodka be your secret ingredient in this cosmopolitan riff.

Ingredients

• 1½ ounces basil-infused vodka
• ½ ounce orange liqueur
• ½ ounce cranberry juice
• ¼ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
• Ice
• Lemon ribbon for garnish

Instructions

1. Chill a martini glass or coupe.
2. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, basil-infused vodka, orange liqueur, cranberry juice, and lime juice.
3. Shake to chill.
4. Strain into chilled glass.
5. Garnish with lemon ribbon.

Mixers for Drinks

You can continue to substitute your flavored vodka into classic cocktails, vodka cocktails, or you can use a mixer or two if you're looking to keep things simple.

• Cranberry juice
• Lemonade, or flavored lemonade such as strawberry
• Limeade
• Pineapple juice
• Tomato juice
• Cherry juice
• Orange juice
• Plain club soda
• Flavored club sodas such as lime, lemon, orange, coconut, or berry flavors
• Lemon-lime soda
• Collins mix
• Tonic water

Basil-Infused Vodka for Dreamy Cocktails

It's incredibly easy to make your own basil-infused vodka, let alone one where you know no extra sugar or ingredients have found their way in. So next time when you're pondering how to handle your abundance of basil in the middle of summer, you'll know exactly what to do. Not to mention, you'll be the star of any gift-giving occasion. For more flavor-infused goodness, treat yourself to some cucumber vodka drinks.