Infusing vodka with fresh fruits, herbs, and spices allows you to add new flavors to your cocktails without having to buy bottles of flavored vodka every time you get the hankering for a unique drink. Infusion is easy, and it usually only takes three to five days to create new flavor combos for craft cocktails. Take a look at these easy infusion recipes that even the most culinarily challenged person can whip up.
Berry Infused Vodka
This infusion uses whatever type of berries you prefer, such as strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries; choosing the berries that're in season will give you the most robust flavored vodka possible. If you also like your cocktails a bit on the sweeter side, you can add sugar to your mixture.
Ingredients
- 1 pint of organic berries
- ¼ cup sugar (optional)
- 750 mL vodka
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a large, clean sealable jar or container.
- Place in a cool, dark location such as a pantry and allow to infuse for three days, shaking each day to blend flavors.
- Strain the infusion ingredients and store in the original vodka bottle or a clean bottle or container.
Grapefruit Rosemary Infused Vodka
When preparing this Grapefruit Rosemary infusion, you want to make sure that you wash the outside of the grapefruit well before putting it into the vodka as you're going to leave the peelings on, and don't want to risk contaminating the entire mixture.
Ingredients
- ½ organic pink grapefruit, unpeeled and cut into wedges
- 4 sprigs fresh organic rosemary
- 750 mL vodka
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a large, clean sealable jar or container.
- Place in a cool, dark location such as a pantry and allow to infuse for three days, shaking each day to blend flavors.
- Strain the infusion ingredients and store in the original vodka bottle or a clean bottle or container.
Cinnamon and Cardamom Infused Vodka
This Cinnamon and Cardamom Infused Vodka has a complex, spicy flavor. For the best results, get Ceylon cinnamon as opposed to cassia cinnamon.
Ingredients
- 3 cardamom pods
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 750 mL vodka
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a large, clean sealable jar or container.
- Place in a cool, dark location such as a pantry and allow to infuse for five days, shaking each day to blend flavors.
- Strain the infusion ingredients and store in the original vodka bottle or a clean bottle or container.
Lemon Thyme Infused Vodka
You can add a splash of this lemon thyme infused vodka in your favorite lemonades for a summery treat.
Ingredients
- 1 organic lemon, cut into wedges
- 3 sprigs fresh organic thyme
- 750 mL vodka
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a large, clean sealable jar or container.
- Place in a cool, dark location such as a pantry and allow to infuse for three, shaking each day to blend flavors.
- Strain the infusion ingredients and store in the original vodka bottle or a clean bottle or container.
Chili Pepper Infused Vodka
If you like a spicy cocktail, this chili pepper infused vodka is a great choice for you.
Ingredients
- 1 organic red jalapeno, cut lengthwise into quarters
- 750 mL vodka
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a large, clean sealable jar or container.
- Place in a cool, dark location such as a pantry and allow to infuse for three days, shaking each day to blend flavors.
- Strain the infusion ingredients and store in the original vodka bottle or a clean bottle or container.
Cucumber, Mint, and Basil Infused Vodka
For a liquor that has a delicious garden freshness, try out this cucumber, mint, and basil infused vodka recipe. It's perfect for many cucumber vodka drinks.
Ingredients
- 3 mint sprigs
- 5 basil leaves
- 1 cucumber, sliced
- 750 mL vodka
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a large, clean sealable jar or container.
- Place in a cool, dark location such as a pantry and allow to infuse for three days, shaking each day to blend flavors.
- Strain the infusion ingredients and store in the original vodka bottle or a clean bottle or container.
Apricot Almond Infused Vodka
This apricot almond infused vodka balances the fruity sweetness of the apricots with the warm nuttiness of the almonds to create a great spring or fall cocktail ingredient. Use it to make delicious apricot-flavored cocktails.
Ingredients
- 2 apricots, pitted and sliced
- ½ cup almonds, chopped
- 750 mL vodka
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a large, clean sealable jar or container.
- Place in a cool, dark location such as a pantry and allow to infuse for five days, shaking each day to blend flavors.
- Strain the infusion ingredients and store in the original vodka bottle or a clean bottle or container.
Lemon Pomegranate Infused Vodka
Another great mixture to add to your summer lemonades, this lemon pomegranate infused vodka is irresistible.
Ingredients
- 1 cup pomegranate seeds
- 1 organic lemon, cut into wedges
- 750 mL vodka
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a large, clean sealable jar or container.
- Place in a cool, dark location such as a pantry and allow to infuse for five days, shaking each day to blend flavors.
- Strain the infusion ingredients and store in the original vodka bottle or a clean bottle or container.
Blackberry Orange Infused Vodka
Perhaps an unusual pairing, this blackberry orange infused vodka will add a certain tartness to whatever cocktails you use it in.
Ingredients
- 1 cup organic blackberries
- 1 organic orange, cut into wedges
- 750 mL vodka
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a large, clean sealable jar or container.
- Place in a cool, dark location such as a pantry and allow to infuse for three days, shaking each day to blend flavors.
- Strain the infusion ingredients and store in the original vodka bottle or a clean bottle or container.
Other Flavor Combinations
What's particularly incredible about infusing liquors is that the flavor combinations are truly endless. Here's just a sampling of the types of fruits, herbs, and spices that you can pair with one another to create a custom-made vodka for you and your friends to enjoy.
- Lime and coriander
- Pink peppercorn and blackberry
- Vanilla bean and orange
- Caraway and mint
- Coconut and pineapple
- Honeydew and ginger
- Mango, orange, and clove
- Strawberry and kiwi
Custom Craft Cocktails
With infused vodkas, you're only limited by your imagination. By experimenting with creative flavor combinations, you can create your own custom flavored vodka drinks that are sure to please even the pickiest of palates.