Cake vodka is a flavored vodka that tastes like cake. It is made by infusing vodka with flavors like vanilla, chocolate, or fruits to give it a sweet cake-like taste. Cake vodka first became popular in the early 2000s as a new twist on flavored vodkas. Since then, many distilleries have created their own unique cake vodka recipes and flavors.
How is cake vodka made?
The process for making cake vodka is quite simple. First, a wheat or potato-based vodka is distilled to create a neutral spirit. Then, flavor ingredients like vanilla extract, cocoa powder, fruit juices, or frosting are added to the vodka and allowed to infuse. The longer the vodka soaks with the flavors, the stronger the cake taste will become. Most cake vodkas infuse for between one and three months before being filtered and bottled.
Here is a typical cake vodka recipe:
- 1 liter of unflavored vodka
- 2-4 tablespoons of vanilla extract
- 1-3 tablespoons of chocolate or cocoa powder
- 1⁄4 cup frosting or cake mix
- Fruit juice or fruit extract (optional)
The ingredients are combined in a glass jar or bottle and shaken daily. After infusing for 1-3 months, the vodka is strained and filtered before bottling. Distilleries often adjust levels of chocolate, vanilla, or fruit flavors to create the specific cake taste they desire.
What are the most popular cake vodka flavors?
There are many creative cake-inspired vodka flavors on the market. Some of the most popular include:
- Vanilla cake – Infused with vanilla extract and often includes notes of frosting or vanilla cake mix. Tastes like sweet vanilla cake.
- Chocolate cake – Made with cocoa powder or chocolate liqueur. Has a rich chocolate cake flavor.
- Red velvet cake – Features hints of chocolate and vanilla with cream cheese or buttercream flavors. May contain red food coloring.
- Carrot cake – Infused with carrots, cinnamon, nutmeg and brown sugar. Tastes like spiced carrot cake.
- Funfetti cake – Includes rainbow sprinkles and vanilla extract to mimmic fun, sprinkly cake mix.
- Strawberry shortcake – Made with fresh strawberries and vanilla. Has a sweet berry taste.
- Pineapple upside down cake – Infused with pineapples and cherries. Often very tropical and fruity.
The cake flavor options are endless! Distilleries get creative with seasonal cakes like pumpkin spice or peppermint for holiday releases.
What does cake vodka taste like?
When you take a sip of cake vodka, it truly tastes like liquid cake in alcoholic form. The flavors are very sweet and dessert-like. You’ll taste the vanilla, chocolate, fruit or spice flavors that it was infused with. The cake taste is not artificial, but more of a pure distillation of the dessert’s flavors. It is smooth and very easy to drink straight or on the rocks.
Underneath the sweet cake flavors, you can still detect the base grain alcohol taste of the underlying vodka. So while cake vodka is sweet, it still has that alcoholic bite and warmth. The cake taste helps mask some of the harshness that straight vodka can have.
What is a good cake vodka brand?
Some popular and reputable cake vodka brands include:
| Brand | Known For |
|---|---|
| Pinnacle | A broad range of fun cake flavors like Cake Pop and Whipped |
| Smirnoff | Classic cake flavors like Vanilla and Espresso |
| Absolut | Unique flavors like Mango Passionfruit Cake |
| UV Vodka | Candy-inspired cakes like Wedding Cake and Cotton Candy |
| Three Olives | Rich chocolatey flavors like Chocolate Cake |
| Firefly | Small batch distillery with seasonal cake flavors |
These are some of the top premium cake vodka brands. They offer a wide selection of flavors from classic vanilla cake to more adventurous flavors like banana cake or cookies & cream cake.
How does cake vodka differ from normal vodka?
There are a few key differences between regular vodka and cake-flavored vodka:
- Cake vodka is sweet while regular vodka has a harsher, bitter taste.
- Cake vodka is infused with extra flavors like fruits, chocolate or vanilla. Regular vodka is unflavored.
- Cake vodka has a smooth, dessert-like flavor profile. Regular vodka simply tastes like alcohol.
- Cake vodka has a thicker, more syrupy mouthfeel. Regular vodka has a thinner, drier texture.
- Cake vodka is designed to be sipped, while regular vodka can be harsh when drank straight.
So while they are both vodkas, cake vodka is flavored and sweetened to create a very different drinking experience. It masks the harshness of alcohol with delicious cake taste.
What drinks can you make with cake vodka?
Cake vodka’s sweet, dessert-like taste makes it perfect for many fun cocktail recipes. Here are some popular drinks you can make with cake vodka:
Cake Martini
- 2 oz cake vodka
- 1 oz Frangelico or hazelnut liqueur
- Chocolate syrup for drizzling
Shake vodka and Frangelico with ice and strain into a martini glass. Drizzle chocolate syrup on top.
Birthday Cake Shot
- 1 oz cake vodka
- 1 oz pineapple juice
- 1 oz ginger ale
- Sprinkles for garnish
Mix ingredients in a shaker with ice and strain into a shot glass. Top with sprinkles.
Cake Breeze Cocktail
- 1 1/2 oz cake vodka
- 4 oz cranberry juice
- Squeeze of lemon
- Lemon wheel for garnish
Stir vodka with cranberry juice and lemon juice over ice. Garnish with a lemon wheel.
Other fun mixers for cake vodka are ginger beer, lemonade, and coffee liqueurs. Let the cake vodka flavors shine through by avoiding very strong mixers.
Can you bake with cake vodka?
Absolutely! The sweet flavors and high alcohol content of cake vodka make it a perfect addition to many baked goods. Here are some ways to bake with cake vodka:
- Cakes – Add a splash to cake batter or brush cake layers with cake vodka syrup.
- Frostings – Mix in a tablespoon or two into buttercream or whipped frosting.
- Pastry fillings – Soak fruits in cake vodka for tarts or fold into pastry cream.
- Puddings – Stir a shot into instant pudding before chilling to infuse flavor.
- Milkshakes – Blend cake vodka with ice cream and milk for a boozy shake.
- Jello shots – Dissolve jello with cake vodka instead of water.
Start by substituting cake vodka for about 1-2 tablespoons of liquid in the recipe. You can add more vodka for a stronger kick. The cake flavors will infuse into the food.
Baking Tips
- Always start with less vodka and add more to taste.
- Avoid over-baking, as alcohol cooks off at high heat.
- Take care when lighting food with vodka, as alcohol is flammable.
Cake vodka gives both sweet flavor and moisture to baked goods. Just take care not to overdo it, as too much alcohol can make recipes soggy.
How do you drink cake vodka?
There are many delicious ways to drink and serve cake vodka:
As a Shot
Cake vodka’s smooth taste makes it one of the tastiest vodkas to drink straight as a shot. Pour a shot into a glass and drink it down in one gulp. Chase it with something sweet like lemonade or ginger ale if desired.
On the Rocks
For easy sipping, pour 1-2 ounces of cake vodka over ice. Add a splash of water or club soda to dilute it and sip slowly.
In a Martini
Combine 2-3 oz cake vodka with 1 oz dry vermouth or liqueur in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass for an elegant after dinner drink.
In Mixed Drinks
Splash cake vodka into sparkling wines, lemonades, ginger beers, milkshakes and other fun mixers. Get creative with cake vodka cocktails!
As a Cake Shot
For special occasions, pour cake vodka into a frosted-rimmed shot glass. Top with sprinkles or a fun cake decoration.
The sweetness of cake vodka allows you to drink it in ways you can’t drink regular vodka. Sip it chilled to really enjoy those delicious cake flavors.
Does cake vodka expire?
Like regular vodka, cake vodka has an indefinite shelf life when stored properly. The main things that can cause cake vodka to expire or go bad are:
- Oxidation – When oxygen gets into an opened bottle, it can slowly degrade the flavors over many years.
- Sunlight exposure – Sunlight and UV rays break down flavors and alcohol over time.
- Extreme temperature – Heat or freezing can accelerate flavor deterioration.
- Yeast and bacteria – Microbes can grow in old, spoiled vodka.
To maximize freshness and shelf life of opened cake vodka:
- Store in a cool, dark place like a cupboard or pantry.
- Make sure bottle is sealed tightly to prevent oxygen exposure.
- Refrigerate if you wish to extend shelf life longer.
- Watch for any changes in aroma, taste or appearance.
With proper storage, an unopened bottle of cake vodka will stay fresh for 3-5 years. Once opened, it will taste best within 1-2 years. If you notice any stale, off tastes or sediment, it is best to discard the vodka.
Is cake vodka gluten free?
Most cake vodkas are gluten-free, but it is smart to check the brand you are drinking. Here are some things to look for when selecting a gluten-free cake vodka:
- Distilled from gluten-free base grains like corn, potato, or grape.
- Flavored only with gluten-free ingredients.
- Produced at a distillery that avoids gluten cross-contamination.
- Labeled as “gluten-free” on the bottle.
Many premium vodka brands will indicate on their website or packaging if the product is gluten-free. When in doubt, check with the distillery directly on their gluten-free status.
Some specific cake vodka brands that are gluten-free include:
- Pinnacle Cake and Whipped Vodkas
- Smirnoff Kissed Caramel Vodka
- Deep Eddy Vodka Cake and Ruby Red
- New Amsterdam Cake Vodka
- Tito’s Handmade Cake Vodka
With so many gluten-free cake vodka options, those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance can still enjoy these sweet flavors. Just be diligent about checking labels and production methods.
Is cake vodka keto friendly?
Plain vodka is definitely keto friendly, with zero carbs or sugar. When it comes to cake vodka, flavors can add a little carbs, but most are still keto approved.
Here are some tips for choosing keto-friendly cake vodka:
- Check labels for added sugars or sweeteners. Look for under 2g net carbs per serving.
- Seek out naturally flavored cake vodka without syrups.
- Prioritize carbs in daily intake if drinking cake vodka.
- Enjoy cake vodka straight or very simply mixed to minimize other carbs.
Many cake vodkas have minimal sugars and carbs from natural flavorings. Brands like Ketel One Cake and Three Olives Cake Vodka fit into a keto lifestyle. Vodkas labeled as “sugar-free” are also good low carb options.
Drink cake vodka neat or mixed with low carb mixers like soda water or sugar-free energy drinks. Overall, cake vodka can be part of a keto diet in moderation.
Conclusion
Cake vodka brings the fun and flavor of dessert to your drinks. It is sweetened and flavored vodka that tastes just like decadent cake. From vanilla and chocolate to red velvet and carrot cake, there are so many cake flavors to sip and enjoy straight up, on the rocks or in cocktails. Cake vodka also livens up baking and mixes into amazing dessert drinks. Just take care to store opened bottles properly so you can enjoy every last drop before it goes bad. Made right, cake vodka is a sweet treat with a kick that you can drink guilt-free on gluten-free and keto diets. The next time you crave cake, reach for some cake vodka to satisfy your sweet tooth in a whole new way.