A fresh cocktail or an original gift: infused wodka is always a hit!
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I was invited to join @jaynie's #whatscookingchallenge by @insideoutlet.
Since we are in the middle of the gardening season, I wanted to share with you a recipe that contained products out of my own garden.
Instead of showing you how to make a common dish, I decided to add a twist and give you a recipe on how to create the most delicious wodka-based cocktails.
The best part about this is that you can go a 1000 different ways; everything depends on which flavors you like most. There are numerous ingredients you can use, and countless combinations you can make.
But first... let's start with the basics.
Herb Infused Wodka: The Basics
You can find loads of different recipes online. The one thing they all have in common is the fact that you need a good wodka to start with.
This doesn't mean you have to go for the most expensive one you can find, but you'd better stay away from the cheapest brands. A simple, middle class wodka will do just fine.
The reasoning behind this is that you'll never make a delicious wodka out of a bad one - no matter how many flavors you add.
Once you've chosen your wodka, it is time to select the herb(s) or flavor(s) you want to use.
There are no rules set for this, you can use whatever you like. To give you some examples of recipes that can be found online: oatmeal infused wodka, bacon and eggs infused wodka, caramel infused wodka,... There are no limits.
Just use the things you like and experiment freely.
Adding Flavor
How much flavor you want to add to your wodka is again totally up to you. The final flavor is a result of the amount of flavor products you add, and the infusion length.
There are a couple of guidelines:
For 1 liter of wodka:
Herbs: use approximately 35grams when the herbs are fresh, or 17 grams when they are dried.
Fruits: 1 to 3 pieces of fruit, depending on their size. You can use for example 2 pears. For smaller fruit, you might have to use 3 or more pieces.
If you want to combine flavors, still use the indicated amounts for every flavor.
Some Examples
Pinapple Sage and Clove
Lemon Verbena and Cinammon
Nasturtiums and Pepper
How To Infuse Wodka
They don't come any easier than this.
Clean your herbs (or other flavors) with water.
In case you use herbs, break the leaves to release the flavor.
Put them in a sterilized pot that can be closed with a lid.
Pour the wodka in the pot, close it and give it a good shake.
Set it apart in a cool and dark space. Take it out every day to shake it again.
Finishing Touch
Depending on which products you have used to add the flavor, it can take 3 to 5 days before the wodka has absorbed all that flavor. When you've used fruit, it can take a little longer.
Starting on day 2, use a spoon to taste and find out if you think the flavor is strong enough. Repeat this every day until you are satsfied.
Once you think the taste is just right, use a sieve to remove all herbs or fruits from the wodka.
Pour your infusion in a sterilized bottle that can be closed. Saved in the fridge, you can keep it for about a month.
Use
Use your infused wodka to serve as is, or to spice up your cocktails.
If you pour it into a beautiful bottle and add a creative label to it, it can be an original gift.
Some More Useful Combinations
You can find a lot of examples on my 'Wodka Infusion' Pinterest Board.
Some Examples
- Ginger and lime infused wodka
- Conifer Infused wodka
- Dille pickle wodka
- Salted caramel wodka
- Strawberry infused wodka
...
The only limit is your imagination...
Which flavor would you prefer? Let me know!
Rules
The #whatscookingchallenge challenge a foodie challenge by @jaynie. Here are the current rules for the challenge as far as I know:
- Use the #whatscookingchallenge tag and tag @jaynie in your post.
- Create and publish a post showcasing something that you have prepared in your kitchen which is either a) uniquely yours, or b) has been adapted and made your own. (The more elaborate the post the better, naturally...)
This is NOT limited to "plates of food" - it can be preserves, snacks, baking anything!
- Accompany the post with at least 2 photos of whatever it is that you have prepared as well as a photo of you WITH your dish! Guys this is COMPULSORY - posts without the selfie... won't be considered
(Sorry, @jaynie, I didn't have one. These are pictures from last year's experiment.)
- Tag at least 5 (but not limited to) of your foodie friends that you think would like to participate.
I don't like nametagging, so please don't consider this to be an obligation to join. If your username is not in the list, you can still join the challenge by following the steps above.
I'd like to invite:
@walkerland
@goldendawne
@beeyou
@fionasfavorites
@mirrors
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All images are my own.
