What do you spike vodka with?

Vodka is a clear, high-proof alcoholic spirit that is popularly consumed “neat” or mixed into cocktails. While vodka has a more subtle flavor than many other spirits, creating infused vodka “spikes” is a common practice to add new dimensions and transform the liquor into something more palatable or unique to the drinker’s tastes.

What are some popular vodka infusion ingredients?

There are many creative ingredients that mixologists and home bartenders use to infuse and spike vodka. Some of the most popular vodka infusion ingredients include:

• Fruits – Vodka absorbs and showcases fruit flavors extremely well. Popular fruits used are berries, stone fruits like peaches, and citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruit.
• Herbs and spices – Herbal vodkas showcase flavors like basil, rosemary, thyme, oregano, tarragon, and fresh mint. Spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, and chili peppers are also used to infuse spicy flavor.
• Vegetables – Ingredients like bell peppers, carrots, celery, tomatoes, and pickled vegetables can infuse vodka with vegetable essences.
• Roots – Ginger and horseradish are popular root additions. Turmeric is used for both flavor and color.
• Nuts and vanilla – Almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, and pistachios add richness. Vanilla is commonly infused for sweetness.
• Coffee and chocolate – For dessert-flavored vodkas, coffee beans and cocoa nibs offer robust, bitter depth.
• Tea – Vodka absorbs the flavors and antioxidants of teas. Green tea, black tea, hibiscus tea, and chamomile tea work well.
• Edible flowers – Mildly flavored flowers like lavender, rose, hibiscus, elderflower, and chamomile add floral complexity.

What preparation methods are used for infusing vodka?

There are a few common techniques used to infuse flavors into vodka:

• Steeping – This involves letting ingredients soak directly in vodka for hours, days, or weeks so the vodka absorbs the flavors. The ingredients are later strained out.
• Infusion – Similar to steeping, but ingredients are held in a porous bag or infuser so they don’t have to be strained later.
• Blending – Fruits or vegetables are mashed or blended together with vodka, then strained.
• Percolating – The vodka is slowly dripped through a column packed with flavoring ingredients.
• Shaking – A cocktail shaker is used to vigorously agitate and blend the vodka and ingredients.

What is the steeping process?

Steeping is the most straightforward infusion method. The general process is:

1. Wash, peel, chop or slice ingredients as needed to expose flavors.
2. Add ingredients to a glass jar or bottle. Some recipes suggest lightly muddling.
3. Pour in vodka until ingredients are covered. Use a high-proof vodka for best results.
4. Seal jar and let sit at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Duration can range from 2 hours to several weeks depending on the intensity desired.
5. Shake or stir the jar daily to distribute flavors.
6. When desired flavor intensity is reached, strain out solids through a cheesecloth lined sieve or coffee filter.
7. Filter or re-strain vodka if any sediment remains.
8. Store finished infusion in clean sealed bottles in the freezer.

What is the infusion method?

Infusing vodka involves holding ingredients in a removable infuser or bag. The process is much the same as steeping:

1. Wash, peel, chop ingredients as needed and add to infuser or seal in a porous bag.
2. Place infuser or bag in a glass jar or bottle and pour in vodka until covered.
3. Seal and let infuse for desired duration, shaking or stirring periodically.
4. When ready, simply remove infuser or bag of ingredients.
5. You can filter remaining sediment if needed before storage.

Small infuser balls, stainless steel infusing rods, whole nutmeg pods, and empty tea bags all work well to contain ingredients.

What is the best way to infuse citrus flavors?

Citrus fruits like lemon, lime, grapefruit, and orange make refreshing vodka infusions. For best results:

• Wash thoroughly and peel the outer colorful layer of zest from the fruits.
• Avoid the white pith which can impart bitter notes.
• Add long strips or pieces of zest to the vodka, minimizing juice and pulp.
• Let infuse 1-3 days until the desired intensity of flavor is reached.

What are some easy beginner infusion recipes?

Here are a few easy vodka infusion recipes for beginners to try:

Lemon Vodka

Ingredients:

• Zest from 2 large lemons
• 750ml bottle of vodka (at least 80 proof)

Instructions:

1. Wash lemons and remove yellow zest in wide strips with a peeler or zester.
2. Add lemon zest to vodka bottle, reserving some for garnish.
3. Let infuse 1-3 days to desired lemony flavor.
4. Remove zest and filter if needed before serving.
5. Add a twist of reserved zest when serving lemon vodka in cocktails or on the rocks.

Berry Vodka

Ingredients:

• 1 cup blueberries, raspberries and/or blackberries
• 750ml bottle vodka (80 proof or higher)
• 2 Tbsp sugar (optional)

Instructions:

1. Wash berries and lightly muddle in the bottom of infusion jar.
2. Add vodka and sugar if using.
3. Infuse 3-7 days until desired berry flavor.
4. Strain through cheesecloth before serving.
5. Garnish with fresh berries.

Spicy Jalapeño Vodka

Ingredients:

• 2 jalapeño peppers, sliced
• 750ml bottle vodka (80 proof or higher)

Instructions:

1. Slice jalapeños into thin rounds, removing seeds for milder spice.
2. Add jalapeño slices to infusion jar and pour in vodka.
3. Infuse 2-12 hours until desired spicy flavor is reached.
4. Strain out jalapeños through coffee filter before serving.
5. Add a fresh slice for garnish.

Cucumber Vodka

Ingredients:

• 1 large cucumber, sliced
• 750ml bottle vodka (80 proof or higher)

Instructions:

1. Wash and slice cucumber into 1/4 inch thick rounds.
2. Add cucumber slices to infusion jar, gently muddling.
3. Pour in vodka, seal and infuse overnight or up to 3 days.
4. Strain vodka through cheesecloth or coffee filter.
5. Garnish drinks with a cucumber slice or spear.

What equipment is helpful for infusing vodka?

Besides basic equipment like jars, bottles, and strainers, here are some useful tools for infusing vodka at home:

• Infuser rods or balls – Holds ingredients in vodka while infusing
• Cheesecloth – Lines sieves for straining out solids
• Funnel – Helps transfer infused vodka into clean bottles
• Droppers – Measures flavor extracts for adding to infusions
• Small bottles – Stores flavored vodkas in the freezer
• Cocktail shaker – Blends ingredients directly with vodka
• Muddler – Crushes ingredients like berries and herbs to release flavors
• Zester or peeler – Removes citrus zest strips
• Spice grinder – Processes ingredients like peppercorns

What tips help create better infused vodka?

Here are some tips for making smooth, flavorful infused vodka drinks at home:

• Use a high proof vodka – Higher proof vodka absorbs more flavor.
• Infuse in cool, dark place – Away from heat and light which can degrade flavors.
• Shake or stir daily – Helps distribute ingredients and flavors.
• Taste and strain when ready – Don’t over-infuse. Strain when desired flavor is reached.
• Filter if needed – Cheesecloth and coffee filters remove fine sediment.
• Store in freezer – Helps preserve fresh flavors and shelf life.
• Label infusions – Identify ingredients and date for reference.
• Start small – Try various durations to learn ideal infusion times.

What ingredients should be avoided?

While most fruits, herbs and spices work for infusing vodka, here are some ingredients to use with caution or avoid:

• Salt and oil – Can cause vodka to go cloudy.
• Dairy – Milk, cream and egg can curdle and spoil.
• Juices – Can make vodka go bad quickly.
• Onions, garlic – Raw alliums impart a harsh, biting flavor.
• Hot chili – Extreme heat overwhelms other flavors.
• Strong spices – Overpowering in small amounts (clove, cinnamon).
• Artificial flavors – Usually a poor substitute for real ingredients.

When trying any new ingredient, add a small amount and taste test the infused vodka after 12-24 hours to check flavor progress.

Conclusion

Infusing vodka opens up a whole new spectrum of flavors and creativity. With some simple ingredients and techniques, you can easily transform basic vodka into custom creations to enjoy on the rocks or mix into endless cocktail combinations. Start small with popular flavors like fruits, herbs and spices to craft your own artisanal infusions.