The addition of flavor (infusion) to vodka is very popular nowadays, from mango to pork, it seems that there is no taste that can be prevented from adding flavor to vodka. So why don't you try to put some of your money aside and try making your own flavored vodka? You can brag about it at your party, give it as a gift, or make some really delicious cocktails. Follow the simple steps below to learn how to add flavor to your own vodka.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Infusion for a Week
Selecting and Preparing Ingredients
Step 1. Choose vodka
As the saying goes that a building will fall down if it doesn't have a solid base (or something like that.) If the vodka you're using doesn't taste good (cough*plastic vodka bottle*cough) then infusing vodka with other flavors won't do the trick. successful because there is still a chemical taste contained in it. Go for mid-range Vodka – a decent enough vodka but not the best bottle.
Step 2. Choose a flavor
You can make it in the most creative or conservative way according to your taste. Today almost any flavor can be used in vodka infusions from whipped cream to pork flavor (don't critique until you've tried it). Decide what flavor you want in your vodka and use some kind of fruit, berry, pepper or herb (or pork). You don't have to limit yourself to one taste. Some ideas that can be used:
- Just use one flavor to give your vodka a nutty flavor. You can choose mango, orange peel, watermelon, apple, blue berry, vanilla, cinnamon, basil, chili, radish or bacon.
- Mix in the chili powder, horseradish and pork for the best bloody mary taste you've ever tried.
- Combine orange zest and cinnamon for a “sitting by the fire in a blizzard” feel. For a more Christmas vibe, mix in cranberry and vanilla.
- Mix mango, pineapple and passion fruit - you'll feel like sitting on a white sand beach and enjoying the best cocktails you've ever tried. See the instructions section for more ideas.
- Use the right amount to add flavor to your vodka. Vodka (as everyone who has tried it knows) has a pretty special taste. To overpower the natural flavors of the ingredients you choose, you have to make the right amount of fruit, seasonings etc. Use the guide below to add flavor to 1 liter of vodka.
- If you're adding a fruity flavor to your vodka, use one to two seeds, depending on the size of the fruit itself. Use a balanced dose with 2 large apple seeds; if you are using a large fruit such as a grapefruit, then you will only need one seed, but you will need three to four seeds for a small fruit such as apricots, plums etc.
- If you add herbs, use one to three full fists, depending on the properties of the herb. Only half if you use dry herbs or spices.
- If you add a berry flavor, use at least one glass of berries (please increase the amount to taste.)
- If you are using pepper, use as much as you want. The more and the longer you spend on the infusion, the hotter the result will be.
Step 3. Prepare the materials
Using dirty fruit in a vodka infusion will cause an awkward atmosphere at the party when you find dirt on your teeth. To avoid this, wash all ingredients thoroughly (except dry spices, of course). Other preparations according to the materials used:
- Finely chop the fruit to increase the surface area and speed up the infusion process, removing any pits, seeds or stems. If you are using large fruits such as mangoes and pineapples, cut them into large pieces.
- If you are using an orange or lemon type, use a peeler to separate the colored and white parts of the orange peel. The white part of the skin has a more bitter taste and can add unwanted bitterness to your vodka.
- Use the berries whole, remove the stems and squeeze gently until the fruit becomes slightly rotten.
- Gently mash the herb to bring out the flavor of the herb itself. If you are using Vanilla seeds, you will need to cut from top to bottom to keep the top intact (it should form an inverted 'V')
- Cut the center of the pepper you will be using. However, don't cut too deep to keep the seeds in the peppers.
- For Pork Vodka, you will usually only use lard, not whole pork. Cook a few pieces of pork and strain the lard. For one bottle of vodka (750 ml), you will need 2 tablespoons of lard.
Adding Flavor (infusion) to Vodka
Step 1. Place all ingredients in a clean and airtight container
Glass jars that have a tight lid are the best choice. The amount of vodka you use (a bottle, a half bottle, etc.) will determine how many jars you need. In general, it's easier to divide your ingredients into two equal parts and then place one part into one jar and the other into the other. However, if you have a glass jar that can fit the entire contents of vodka, you can just use that.
The relative proportions of each ingredient, if you use more than one, then it's a matter of different personal taste
Step 2. Infusion
Fill the container with vodka, cover and place in a safe place. You can store it in the refrigerator to cool it or place it on your desk, as long as it doesn't get direct sunlight.
Step 3. Wait and shake
There is no specific timing but most prescriptions will infuse for two to five days. In general, citrus fruits or strong-flavored ingredients will infuse faster, but softer flavors and fibrous ingredients (vanilla seeds and fresh ginger) may take a week or more. Shake the jar once a day to speed up the infusion process. To make sure that the vodka tastes the way you want it, try it after two days of infusion and then every other day after that until you get the flavor you want.
Some suggestions would recommend an infusion time of two weeks or more, but this is only needed for large restaurants. A week is enough to infuse a liter of vodka well
Step 4. Strain the vodka
Once your vodka infusion has reached the desired taste, you will need to filter it into a different bottle. You can use a funnel or filter to make the filtering process easier. It's best to put the vodka back in the original bottle, but you can also use a cute new bottle that you can buy at your local glass or craft store (this can be used when you want to give it as a gift).
- The reason you have to filter these ingredients out of the vodka is because if you let them sit inside they will make the vodka taste really strong (no one wants to drink vodka infused with chili powder for a month.)
- Do not throw away these materials. If you infuse using fruit, the fruit can actually be eaten. The fruit will have a vodka taste (make sure you don't eat the fruit before driving.)
Step 5. Try and Enjoy
Method 2 of 2: Infuse Vodka in Minutes
This quick method will work on olive oil infusion.
Step 1. Prepare as much fruit and/or other seasonings as you need as in the usual infusion above
Step 2. Pour the liquor into a whipped cream dispenser using a nitrous oxide cartridge
Step 3. Insert the cartridge
Leave the dispenser for one minute.
Step 4. Replace the new cartridge, and shake the dispenser for one minute
Step 5. By straightening the bottle and inserting the nozzle into the inverted glass from the other, press down gently to release the gas
Stand the dispenser–– If you turn the dispenser upside down, all the liquid will be sprayed out; the function of the inverted glass is to accommodate the liquid that deviates due to too strong pressure
Step 6. Once all the gas has been removed, open the container and pour the contents through a filter into a glass
Tips
- Use fresh fruit or ingredients. Do not use canned or ready-to-eat fruit.
- You can also add flavor to other alcoholic drinks such as gin, rum, whiskey and even brandy.
- If you think your infusion is too strong, dilute it with more vodka and take a longer time for the infusion.
- You can also use sweets like Redskins, Jolly Ranchers or any other type of sweet you like.
- If you plan to display your infusion jars, be prepared for the color of the fruit you live with from time to time. Because your strawberries might turn out to be a horrible white!
- Try using nuts like walnuts, hazelnuts or almonds. To enrich the flavor and to bring out the natural oils, bake in the oven before you dip in the vodka.
- Try using two pieces of cinnamon and half a zest of vanilla. After 2 weeks, you will get a dark orange color and a very spicy taste. You can also try using ginger ale in the summer.
- Don't be discouraged if you don't produce high-quality vodka on the first try. Usually, you have to adjust the type of ingredients, the amount of ingredients, and even the vodka itself.
- Do not add sugar to the infusion unless it is necessary to compensate for very bitter ingredients. Natural flavors generally don't require that and you can also use a stirrer when serving.
- In Sweden, herb-infused vodka is commonly known as schnapps, and is part of the Christmas bed.
- Try using single coffee husks or herbal tea bags to get your favorite coffee and tea flavors.
Warning
Make sure there is no odor and residue in the infusion jar. You don't want to get anything that was previously inside, like soap or pickles
Items You Need
- 750ml - vodka
- Ingredients for infusion (fruit, paprika, medicine, berries, etc.)
- A jar with a tight and airtight lid)
