Difference between revisions of "Infuse Vodka with Flavor"
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=== Week-long infusion === | === Week-long infusion === | ||
==== Picking and preparing the ingredients ==== | ==== Picking and preparing the ingredients ==== | ||
| − | # Choose a vodka. As the saying goes, if the base isn’t sturdy, the whole building could collapse (or something like that.) If the vodka you use doesn’t have a good flavor (*cough*plastic bottle vodka*cough*) then infusing it with some other flavor won’t work quite as well because you’re still going to get some of that chemical taste. Get a middle shelf vodka—something that is decent but not the classiest bottle out there either.<ref>http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/807367/how-to-make-flavor-infused-vodka</ref> | + | # Choose a vodka. As the saying goes, if the base isn’t sturdy, the whole building could collapse (or something like that.) If the vodka you use doesn’t have a good flavor (*cough*plastic bottle vodka*cough*) then infusing it with some other flavor won’t work quite as well because you’re still going to get some of that chemical taste. Get a middle shelf vodka—something that is decent but not the classiest bottle out there either.<ref name="rf16686">http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/807367/how-to-make-flavor-infused-vodka</ref> |
| − | # Choose a flavor. You can be as creative or as conservative as you like—these days just about every flavor is used in vodka, from whipped cream to [[Make Bacon Vodka|bacon]] (don’t bash it ‘til you’ve tried it.) Decide how you want your vodka to taste, and get plenty of the desired fruits, berries, peppers or herbs (or bacon). You also don’t have to limit yourself to just one ingredient. Some ideas include<ref>http://theshiksa.com/2013/02/13/infuse-vodka-flavor/</ref>: | + | # Choose a flavor. You can be as creative or as conservative as you like—these days just about every flavor is used in vodka, from whipped cream to [[Make Bacon Vodka|bacon]] (don’t bash it ‘til you’ve tried it.) Decide how you want your vodka to taste, and get plenty of the desired fruits, berries, peppers or herbs (or bacon). You also don’t have to limit yourself to just one ingredient. Some ideas include<ref name="rf16687">http://theshiksa.com/2013/02/13/infuse-vodka-flavor/</ref>: |
#*Using just one flavor to spice up your vodka. Options you can choose from include mango, orange peel, watermelon, apple, blueberry, vanilla, cinnamon, basil, chili pepper, horseradish, or bacon. | #*Using just one flavor to spice up your vodka. Options you can choose from include mango, orange peel, watermelon, apple, blueberry, vanilla, cinnamon, basil, chili pepper, horseradish, or bacon. | ||
#*Combining chili pepper, horseradish and bacon for the best bloody mary you have ever tasted. | #*Combining chili pepper, horseradish and bacon for the best bloody mary you have ever tasted. | ||
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#*If infusing your vodka with berries, add at least a cup of the berries (but feel free to add more.) | #*If infusing your vodka with berries, add at least a cup of the berries (but feel free to add more.) | ||
#*If infusing with peppers, use as many as you want. The more you use and the longer you infuse, the spicier the end product will be. | #*If infusing with peppers, use as many as you want. The more you use and the longer you infuse, the spicier the end product will be. | ||
| − | # Prepare the ingredients. Infusing your vodka with fruits that have dirt on them may lead to an awkward party moment during which you discover you have dirt in your teeth. To avoid this, wash all fresh ingredients thoroughly (except, of course, the dried spices.) Other preparations differ on the ingredient<ref | + | # Prepare the ingredients. Infusing your vodka with fruits that have dirt on them may lead to an awkward party moment during which you discover you have dirt in your teeth. To avoid this, wash all fresh ingredients thoroughly (except, of course, the dried spices.) Other preparations differ on the ingredient<ref name="rf16687" />: |
#*Slice fruits finely to increase their surface area and speed up the infusion, removing any pits, seeds, or stems. If you are using larger fruit like mangoes or pineapple, cut the fruit up into large chunks. | #*Slice fruits finely to increase their surface area and speed up the infusion, removing any pits, seeds, or stems. If you are using larger fruit like mangoes or pineapple, cut the fruit up into large chunks. | ||
#*When using citrus like oranges or lemons, use a peeler to separate the colorful part of the peel from the pith (the white part of the peel.) The pith is bitter and could add some unwanted bitterness to your vodka. | #*When using citrus like oranges or lemons, use a peeler to separate the colorful part of the peel from the pith (the white part of the peel.) The pith is bitter and could add some unwanted bitterness to your vodka. | ||
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#*Crush herbs gently, as it will help to release their flavor. If you are using vanilla beans, slice the bean from top to bottom, keeping the top intact (it should create an upside down ‘V’ shape.) | #*Crush herbs gently, as it will help to release their flavor. If you are using vanilla beans, slice the bean from top to bottom, keeping the top intact (it should create an upside down ‘V’ shape.) | ||
#*Create a cut down the center of any peppers you might use. However, do not make too deep of a cut as the seeds need to stay inside the pepper. | #*Create a cut down the center of any peppers you might use. However, do not make too deep of a cut as the seeds need to stay inside the pepper. | ||
| − | #*For bacon vodka, you are actually using the bacon fat and not the actual bacon. Cook several strips of bacon and then drain the bacon fat. For one (750ml) bottle of vodka, you need 2 tablespoons of bacon fat.<ref>http://www.bettycrocker.com/tips/tipslibrary/ingredients/how-to-make-bacon-infused-vodka</ref> | + | #*For bacon vodka, you are actually using the bacon fat and not the actual bacon. Cook several strips of bacon and then drain the bacon fat. For one (750ml) bottle of vodka, you need 2 tablespoons of bacon fat.<ref name="rf16688">http://www.bettycrocker.com/tips/tipslibrary/ingredients/how-to-make-bacon-infused-vodka</ref> |
==== Infusing the vodka ==== | ==== Infusing the vodka ==== | ||
| − | # Place all of the ingredients together in a clean, airtight container. Glass jars with tight lids work best for infusing vodka. The amount of vodka you are infusing (a whole bottle, half a bottle, etc.) will determine how many jars you need. Generally, it is easiest to split your ingredients in half and place half in one jar and half in another. However, if you have a glass jar that can hold a whole bottle of vodka, just use that.<ref | + | # Place all of the ingredients together in a clean, airtight container. Glass jars with tight lids work best for infusing vodka. The amount of vodka you are infusing (a whole bottle, half a bottle, etc.) will determine how many jars you need. Generally, it is easiest to split your ingredients in half and place half in one jar and half in another. However, if you have a glass jar that can hold a whole bottle of vodka, just use that.<ref name="rf16686" /> |
#*The relative proportions of each ingredient, if you're using more than one, are a matter of personal preference. | #*The relative proportions of each ingredient, if you're using more than one, are a matter of personal preference. | ||
# Infuse! Fill the container with vodka, seal it, and put it some place [[Be-Safe|safe.]] You can place it in the refrigerator to keep it cool or you can leave it out on your counter, so long as it is not sitting in direct sunlight. | # Infuse! Fill the container with vodka, seal it, and put it some place [[Be-Safe|safe.]] You can place it in the refrigerator to keep it cool or you can leave it out on your counter, so long as it is not sitting in direct sunlight. | ||
# Wait and shake. The timing isn't scientific but most recipes will infuse within two to five days. Generally, citrus fruits or strongly flavored ingredients will infuse more quickly, but softly flavored or fibrous ingredients (vanilla beans or fresh ginger) may need up to a week or more. Shake the jar once a day to speed up the infusion process. To ensure that your vodka has the flavor you want it to, sample it after two days have passed and then every day after that until it reaches the desired flavor. | # Wait and shake. The timing isn't scientific but most recipes will infuse within two to five days. Generally, citrus fruits or strongly flavored ingredients will infuse more quickly, but softly flavored or fibrous ingredients (vanilla beans or fresh ginger) may need up to a week or more. Shake the jar once a day to speed up the infusion process. To ensure that your vodka has the flavor you want it to, sample it after two days have passed and then every day after that until it reaches the desired flavor. | ||
#*Some advice will recommend two weeks or more infusion time, but this is only necessary for a large restaurant-size batch. A week is plenty of time for a liter of vodka to infuse properly. | #*Some advice will recommend two weeks or more infusion time, but this is only necessary for a large restaurant-size batch. A week is plenty of time for a liter of vodka to infuse properly. | ||
| − | # Strain the vodka. Once you vodka has become infused with the desired flavor, you will want to strain the vodka into a different bottle. You can use a funnel and a mesh strainer to make the straining process easier. The easiest thing to do is to strain the vodka back into its original bottle, but you can also use cute, new bottles bought at a local glass or craft store (this is particularly great to do when giving your vodka away as a gift.)<ref | + | # Strain the vodka. Once you vodka has become infused with the desired flavor, you will want to strain the vodka into a different bottle. You can use a funnel and a mesh strainer to make the straining process easier. The easiest thing to do is to strain the vodka back into its original bottle, but you can also use cute, new bottles bought at a local glass or craft store (this is particularly great to do when giving your vodka away as a gift.)<ref name="rf16687" /> |
#*The reason you should strain the ingredients out of your vodka is that if you leave the ingredients in, the flavor might become too strong (no one wants to drink vodka that has been infused with chili peppers for a month.) | #*The reason you should strain the ingredients out of your vodka is that if you leave the ingredients in, the flavor might become too strong (no one wants to drink vodka that has been infused with chili peppers for a month.) | ||
#*Don't throw the ingredients away. If you used fruit to infuse your vodka, you can actually eat them. They will be packed with fruity vodka flavor (just make sure you don't eat them before you drive.) | #*Don't throw the ingredients away. If you used fruit to infuse your vodka, you can actually eat them. They will be packed with fruity vodka flavor (just make sure you don't eat them before you drive.) | ||
