Vodka and peanut butter may seem like an unlikely combination, but the two can actually be blended together to create a unique and tasty spirit. Peanut butter vodka capitalizes on the creamy, nutty flavor of peanut butter and pairs it with the smoothness of vodka. While not extremely common, there are some peanut butter flavored vodkas on the market for the adventurous imbiber.
What is peanut butter vodka?
Peanut butter vodka is exactly what the name implies – vodka that has been infused with the flavor of peanut butter. It is usually made by soaking roasted peanuts in vodka, allowing the spirit to absorb the oils and flavors from the nuts. Other flavoring agents like cocoa powder or extra peanut butter may also be added to enhance the peanutty taste. The result is a vodka with a creamy, nutty flavor and aroma reminiscent of everyone’s favorite sandwich spread.
While vodka is the most common base spirit used, peanut butter liquors can also be made starting with a neutral grain spirit or even bourbon. The smooth, mild taste of vodka allows the peanut butter flavor to shine through. However, using bourbon as the base lends extra depth from the oak notes of the whiskey. Peanut butter bourbon makes for a great sipping liquor straight or on the rocks.
Is peanut butter vodka commercially available?
Yes, there are a handful of distilleries producing bottled peanut butter vodka on a commercial scale. Some examples include:
- Screwball Peanut Butter Whiskey – This peanut butter whisky uses a bourbon base. It’s one of the more widely available bottled peanut butter spirits.
- 360 Vodka Peanut Butter Flavor – 360 makes a range of flavored vodkas including this peanut butter version.
- Amsterdam Peanut Butter Vodka – A smooth blend of vodka and roasted peanuts from Amsterdam Spirits in Minnesota.
- Okar Peanut Butter Vodka – An artisanal infusion made with real Virginia peanuts and triple-distilled vodka.
- Virginia Distillery Peanut Butter Cask Finished Virginia-Highland Whisky – A whisky aged in Virginia whiskey barrels with a secondary finish in roasted peanut butter whiskey casks for a peanutty flavor.
Along with these commercially produced options, many distilleries and tasting rooms create small batch craft peanut butter vodkas to sell at their locations. Home infusions are also popular.
How is peanut butter vodka made?
For commercial production, the process starts by making a peanut butter whiskey base. Shelled peanuts are roasted to intensify their flavors. The roasted nuts are then milled into a peanut butter consistency with added sugars, oils, and stabilizers as needed. Next, the peanut butter is mixed with a bourbon whiskey and allowed to infuse, absorbing flavor from the peanuts. This peanut butter whiskey can then be bottled on its own or used as the base for a vodka infusion.
To make peanut butter vodka, the peanut butter whiskey is simply blended with a neutral grain spirit vodka at the desired proof. The result is a smooth peanut butter vodka that carries flavors from both the peanut butter and bourbon used to make the initial infusion.
Small batch peanut butter vodka is often made by directly infusing vodka with peanut butter. Milled roasted peanuts, peanut butter powder, or regular jarred peanut butter can be used. The peanut butter is mixed into the vodka and left to infuse for anywhere from a few days to a few weeks until the desired flavor intensity is reached. The vodka is then strained out from the solids and bottled.
Typical infusion methods include:
- Mixing peanut butter and vodka in a mason jar or other sealed container. Shaking or inverting daily.
- Placing peanut butter in a mesh bag or cheesecloth and suspending in vodka like a tea infusion.
- Blending roasted peanuts into vodka and letting the mixture infuse.
- Running vodka through a column filled with peanut shells.
The longer the infusion process, the more robust the peanut flavor will become. A secondary infusion of extra peanut butter can make the flavor even more intense.
What does peanut butter vodka taste like?
When tasting peanut butter vodka, you can expect flavors that are nutty, creamy, sweet, and salty. The peanut flavor will come through most strongly, bringing that distinctive roasted nuttiness we associate with peanut butter.
Good peanut butter vodka will strike a smooth, buttery note similar to rich homemade peanut butter. Lower quality versions may have more of a funky, dirty peanut flavor. There will also be some general sweetness, similar to what you find in sweetened peanut butter. Hints of caramel and chocolate are also common tasting notes, particularly in peanut butter whiskey.
The finish will carry a touch of saltiness to balance out the sweetness, much like you find in peanut butter itself. While the peanut flavor dominates, you can also expect some subtle vanilla and oak notes inherited from the underlying bourbon or vodka. Overall, peanut butter vodka delivers the comforting, nostalgic flavor of everyone’s favorite sandwich in drinkable form.
How to drink peanut butter vodka
Thanks to its sweet and creamy profile, peanut butter vodka makes a tasty addition to many cocktails. Here are some serving suggestions:
Peanut Butter Cup Martini
For an indulgent peanut butter chocolate cocktail, shake peanut butter vodka with dark crème de cacao and a splash of cream. Garnish with a mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup.
Nutty Russian
Create your own peanut butter twist on a White Russian by building in a rocks glass with peanut butter vodka, coffee liqueur, and cream or milk.
Peanut Butter Colada
Bring tropical flavors together with peanut butter vodka, coconut rum, pineapple juice, and coconut cream.
PB&J Shot
Recreate a childhood favorite as a shot by layering peanut butter vodka, Chambord, and lemon juice.
Peanut Butter Old Fashioned
Substitute peanut butter whiskey in an Old Fashioned for a peanutty bourbon cocktail.
Peanut butter vodka also works nicely in many cream-based liqueur cocktails. Try subbing it in for vanilla vodka in mudslides and cosmos. On its own, it can be taken as a shot or sipped over ice for a sweet and soothing digestif.
Is infusing vodka with peanut butter safe?
Infusing spirits like vodka with other ingredients can carry some safety risks if done improperly. However, infusing vodka with peanut butter is generally safe when basic precautions are followed.
Peanut allergies are an important consideration – people with nut allergies may react to the presence of peanut in the vodka. Proper sanitation must also be used when infusing to prevent contamination.
From a food safety perspective, the high alcohol content of the vodka prevents pathogen growth. The main things to keep in mind when infusing vodka with peanut butter are:
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients from a trusted source.
- Ensure proper sanitation of equipment before starting.
- Store finished infusions in clean, sealed containers in the refrigerator.
- Avoid introducing extra moisture that could allow mold growth.
- Consume infused vodkas within 2-3 weeks for best quality.
As long as you follow reasonable precautions when preparing your homemade peanut butter vodka, it is generally safe to enjoy.
Does peanut butter vodka need to be refrigerated?
Properly prepared peanut butter vodka has a long shelf life at room temperature thanks to the preservative power of alcohol. However, refrigeration is still recommended for best quality and flavor.
Key advantages of chilling peanut butter vodka include:
- Slower flavor deterioration – Cooler temperatures slow down chemical reactions that can slowly change the flavor over time.
- Retention of aroma – Chilling helps volatile aromatic compounds like those giving peanut butter vodka its scent remain dissolved in the liquid instead of evaporating off.
- Prevention of oiling off – Some separation of peanut oils may occur over long storage at room temp. Refrigeration helps keep the oils fully blended.
- Reduced oxidation – Warmer temps can accelerate oxidation leading to off flavors. Chilling minimizes oxidation.
Ultimately, while peanut butter vodka doesn’t need refrigeration from a food safety perspective, chilling it will help maintain the best peanut butter flavor over time. An unopened commercially bottled peanut butter vodka will stay fresh at room temperature for years. But once opened, it’s best kept in the fridge and enjoyed within several months.
Where to buy peanut butter vodka
You can purchase bottled peanut butter vodka from some liquor stores, especially those with an extensive flavored spirits section. However, your options will likely be limited to just a couple major mass-produced brands. To access more unique craft peanut butter vodkas, try checking at local distilleries in your area. Many artisan distillers experiment with infusing spirits with local ingredients like peanuts.
Peanut butter vodka may also occasionally be found at bars and restaurants that specialize in infused spirits and craft cocktails. But again, selection will be limited.
For the widest range of peanut butter vodkas to try, your best bet is making your own infusion. You can use any vodka and peanut butter you like and easily customize the flavor. Start with a 750 mL bottle of vodka and experiment with different amounts and types of peanut butter. Be sure to fine strain the infused vodka before serving to remove any particles.
Making homemade peanut butter vodka also lets you control the quality of ingredients and tailor the flavor to your personal taste. Just be sure to use responsible infusion practices for the safest and best tasting results.
Conclusion
While not the most common spirit flavor, peanut butter vodka offers a unique taste experience for the adventurous drinker. The rich, nutty flavor of peanut butter complements the smoothness of vodka for a tasty infused spirit. Peanut butter vodka can be enjoyed on its own or used to put a grown-up spin on classic PB&J combinations in cocktails. With the right ingredients and proper infusion methods, creating your own homemade peanut butter vodka can result in a delicious spirit with customizable flavor. So for anyone who loves the taste of peanuts and booze, peanut butter vodka is worth trying.