Homemade Cranberry Vodka Recipe

Sorry for the delay.  Here's the recipe for a great Cranberry Infused Vodka:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Vodka
• 12 oz. fresh Cranberries
• 1 cup sugar
• 1.5 cups water

Instructions:

1. Combine the cranberries, sugar, and water in a sauce pan over medium heat.
2. Bring to a boil and stir until the cranberries burst open.
3. Strain the cranberries and allow to cool.
4. Combine cranberries and vodka in a glass jar.
5. Allow to rest for 2 weeks, shaking occasionally.
6. Strain and filter.
7. Bottle and enjoy.

Homemade Raspberry Vodka

Continuing with the flavored vodka infusions, here's a great recipe for raspberry infused vodka.  I plan on posting recipes for Chocolate Vodka and Cranberry Vodka in the near future.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Vodka
• 1 package (6 oz.) fresh Raspberries

Instructions:

1. Rinse the raspberries and place in a glass jar.
2. Add the vodka.
3. Allow to rest for 2 weeks, shaking occasionally.
4. Strain and filter.
5. Bottle and enjoy.

Pumpkin Pie Liqueur Recipe

I just finished this creation.  It has a smooth and delicious pumpkin pie flavor.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Vodka
• 1 Pumpkin
• 2 Cinnamon Sticks
• 2 whole Cloves
• 2 whole Allspice Berries
• 1 tsp. ground Nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp. ground Ginger
• 1/2 Vanilla Bean
• 1 cup White Sugar
• 1/4 cup Brown Sugar
• 1.5 cups Water

Instructions:

Step 1:

1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
2. Cut the pumpkin in half and remove the stem.
3. Scrape out the inside of the pumpkin.
4. Spray a baking sheet with a cooking spray such as Pam.
5. Place half of the pumpkin cut-side down on the oiled baking sheet.
6. Bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour.
7. Allow to cool.
8. Using a paring knife, slice the pumpkin into 1 to 2 inch wide strips (do not use the portion that was touching the oiled pan).
9. Remove the peel and cut into cubes.
10. Place 2 cups of peeled pumpkin into a glass jar.
11. Add the vodka, cinnamon sticks, and cloves.
12. Seal the jar and shake.
13. Allow to rest for 1 week, shaking occasionally.

Step 2:

1. Combine the water, white sugar, and brown sugar in a sauce pan over medium heat.
2. Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved.
3. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
4. Split the half vanilla bean down the middle.
5. Add the vanilla bean, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice to the infusion.
6. Add the cooled sugar syrup.
7. Shake to combine.
8. Allow to rest for 1 week, shaking occasionally.

Step 3:

1. Strain and filter the infusion.
2. Bottle and enjoy!

Habanero Infused Vodka Recipe

This next flavored vodka came about because I wanted a good flavored vodka to use in making a great Bloody Mary.  It turned out nice and spicy.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Vodka
• 1 fresh Habanero Pepper

Instructions:

1. Wash the habanero and cut it open.
2. Place cut habanero and vodka in a glass jar.
3. Allow to rest, shaking occasionally.
4. Taste every 24 hours, until vodka has desired heat (24-72 hours).
5. Remove habanero and filter.

Notes:

I found that the desired heat was achieved after 48 hours.  However, you can leave the habanero in for as long as you wish.

Old Fashioned Variation

The other night, I wanted an old fashioned, but I didn't have any oranges.  I like the hint of orange that an orange slice adds to an old fashioned.  So, I added a dash of homemade triple sec.  It turned out delicious!

Ingredients:

• 4 ounces Bourbon or Rye Whiskey
• 1 splash Triple Sec
• 2 dashes Augostura Bitters
• 1 Sugar Cube
• 1 splash Water
• Maraschino Cherry

Instructions:

1. Muddle the sugar cube with the water and bitters in the bottom of an old fashioned glass until the sugar dissolves.
2. Fill the glass with ice.
3. Add whiskey and triple sec and stir.
4. Garnish with a cherry.

Cherry Vanilla Vodka Recipe

I am going to be posting a series of flavored vodka recipes over the next few weeks.  The first one is Cherry Vanilla Vodka:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Vodka
• 1 jar drained Marachino Cherries
• 1 can drained Tart Cherries
• 1 Vanilla Bean

Instructions:

1. Cut the vanilla bean in half and split down the middle.
2. Pour all ingredients in a glass jar.
3. Seal and allow to rest for one month.
4. Strain and filter.
5. Bottle and enjoy.

Notes:

Since I wanted less of a vanilla taste, I removed the vanilla bean after one week.  I recommend tasting the infusion periodically, and removing the vanilla bean when you hit the desired strength.

The Revolver Cocktail Recipe

The Revolver is essentially the reverse of spiking your coffee with bourbon.  Instead you are spiking your bourbon with coffee liqueur!  I think that's a way better idea.

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces Bourbon
• 1/2 ounce Coffee Liqueur (Kahlua, Tia Maria, or homemade)
• 2 dashes Orange Bitters

Instructions:

1. Pour all ingredients into a shaker.
2. Fill shaker with ice and shake well.
3. Strain into a martini glass.

Homemade Chocolate Cream Liqueur

This recipe is just a variation on my Chocolate Liqueur.  Please go to that post for the base recipe.

Ingredients:

• 1 batch (approximately 1 liter) Homemade Chocolate Liqueur
• 1 cup Non-dairy Creamer

Instructions:

1. Warm up the chocolate liqueur in a sauce pan over low heat.
2. Stir in the creamer.
3. Bottle and enjoy.

Notes:
If you make a batch of chocolate liqueur, you can turn any portion of it into chocolate cream liqueur.  Use 1/4 cup of non-dairy creamer per 250 ml of chocolate liqueur.

Homemade Chocolate Liqueur

This recipe turned out really well.  It is also the basis for my Chocolate Cream Liqueur.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Everclear
• 1 cup Vodka
• 1 cup Cacao Nibs
• 3 cups Sugar
• 2 cups water

Instructions:
Step 1:

1. Combine the vodka, everclear, and cacoa nibs in a glass jar.
2. Allow to infuse for 1 week.

Step 2:

1. Combine the sugar and water in a sauce pan over medium heat until sugar is dissolved.
2. Allow to cool.
3. Add to the cooled sugar water to the infusion.
4. Allow to rest for 1 week.

Step 3:

1. Strain and filter the infusion.
2. Bottle and enjoy.

Homemade Chocolate Covered Cherry Liqueur

This experiment turned out perfectly!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Everclear
• 1 cup Vodka
• 2/3 cup Cacao Nibs
• 1 jar drained Marachino Cherries
• 1 Vanilla Bean
• 3 cups Sugar
• 2 cups water

Instructions:
Step 1:

1. Cut the vanilla bean in half and split down the middle.
2. Combine the vodka, everclear, vanilla bean, cacoa nibs, and strained cherries in a glass jar.
3. Allow to infuse for 1 week.

Step 2:

1. Combine the sugar and water in a sauce pan over medium heat until sugar is dissolved.
2. Allow to cool.
3. Add to the cooled sugar water to the infusion.
4. Allow to rest for 1 week.

Step 3:

1. Strain and filter the infusion.
2. Bottle and enjoy.

Homemade Triple Sec

I made this the other day, and it turned out great!

Ingredients:

• 12 oz. Vodka
• 12 oz. Everclear
• 3 large Navel Oranges
• 1 drained 15 oz. can of Mandarin Orange Slices
• 5 cups Sugar
• Dash of Orange Blossom Water
• 3 cups Water

Instructions:
Step 1:

1. Heat oven to 180 degrees.
2. Slice the navel oranges into wheels and arrange on a baking sheet.
3. Bake navel oranges 2 hours, flipping after 1 hour (should be gummy but not dry).
4. While oranges are baking, combine drained mandarin orange slices with vodka in a sealed jar.
5. Combine the baked navel oranges with the everclear in a seperate jar.
6. Allow to infuse for 24 hours.

Step 2:

1. Combine the sugar and water in a sauce pan over medium heat until sugar is dissolved.
2. Allow to cool.
3. Strain the infused vodka and everclear into a large glass jar.
4. Add the sugar water and a dash of orange blossom water.
5. Allow to rest for 24 hours.

Step 3:

1. Filter the infusion and bottle.
2. Store in fridge.

Vanilla Vodka

Making flavored vodka is pretty easy.  Here's another flavored vodka recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle (750 ml) cheap Vodka
• 10 Vanilla Beans

Instructions:

1. Cut each vanilla bean in half.
2. Slice each half bean down the middle, leaving the quarters connected at the un-cut end.
3. Place vanilla beans in an empty vodka bottle.
4. Fill bottle with vodka.
5. Allow to rest for 1 to 2 weeks.
6. Strain and filter.

Notes:
If you don't have an empty vodka bottle laying around, just make a couple drinks with the excess vodka.  The longer you leave the beans in the vodka, the stronger the vanilla flavor will be.  I left mine in for 10 days.

Homemade Kahlua Coffee Liqueur

Here's a great recipe for a coffee liqueur that is similar to Kahlua, but not as sweet.  It's easy to make and doesn't involve an aging period.  I made it the other day, and it turned out great!

Ingredients:

• 3 cups Vodka
• 1 1/2 cups Brown Sugar
• 1 cup White Sugar
• 1/2 cup Instant Coffee
• 2 tbls. Pure Vanilla Extract
• 2 cups Water

Instructions:

1. Combine white sugar, brown sugar, and water in a pot.
2. Bring to a boil and boil for 5 minutes.
3. Lower heat to a simmer.
4. Add instant coffee and whisk with a wire whisk until dissolved.
5. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
6. Add vodka and vanilla extract and stir.
7. Pour into bottles and it's ready to drink!

Notes:
Make sure you use pure vanilla and not imitation vanilla.  I used instant coffee powder from Trader Joes.  This recipe makes approximately two 750ml bottles.

Sidecar

The Sidecar is another great classic cocktail.  Here's the recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 ounce Cognac
• 3/4 ounce Triple Sec
• 3/4 ounce Lemon Juice

Instructions:

1. Pour all ingredients into a shaker.
2. Fill shaker with ice and shake well.
3. Strain into a martini glass.

(Photo by Evan Swigart)

Martini Recipe

Here is a basic martini recipe.  A true martini is made with gin and vermouth.  However, many people (myself included) prefer their martinis to be made with vodka.  You can also alter the amount of vermouth that is used.

Ingredients:

• 4 ounces Gin or Vodka
• 1 ounce Dry Vermouth
• Green Olives or Lemon Peel

Instructions:

1. Pour vermouth and gin or vodka into a mixing glass or shaker with ice.
2. Stir or shake well.
3. Strain into a martini glass.
4. Garnish with olives or lemon peel.

Notes:

Stirring is often preferred to shaking (despite what Bond orders) because shaking causes the drink to become cloudy.


(Photo by Kyle May)

Manhattan Recipe

Here is my recipe for a great Manhattan:

Ingredients:

• 3 ounces Rye Whiskey
• 1 ounce Sweet Vermouth
• 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
• 1 Maraschino Cherry

Instructions:

1. Pour the rye, vermouth, and bitters into a mixing glass or shaker with ice.
2. Stir or shake well.
3. Strain into a martini glass or over ice in an old fashioned glass.
4. Garnish with a cherry.

Notes:

I prefer mine on the rocks in an old fashioned glass.

Traditionally, a Manhattan is made with rye.  However, it can be made with Canadian whiskey or bourbon.  A Manhattan made with scotch is a Rob Roy.

(Photo by larryvencent)

Old Fashioned Recipe

Here's a recipe for another classic cocktail, the Old Fashioned:

Ingredients:

• 4 ounces Bourbon or Rye Whiskey
• 2 dashes Augostura Bitters
• 1 Sugar Cube
• 1 splash Water
• Orange Slice
• Maraschino Cherry

Instructions:

1. Muddle the sugar cube with the water and bitters in the bottom of an old fashioned glass until the sugar dissolves.
2. Fill the glass with ice.
3. Add whiskey and stir.
4. Garnish with orange slice and cherry.

Notes:

I prefer my Old Fashioned with bourbon, typically Makers Mark.

(Photo from IBA)

Up coming Infusion Recipes

Just wanted to let everyone know what recipes I should be posting soon.  Some of these I have already started; others I plan on starting soon.

Here's the list:

• Homemade Sambuca
• Homemade Triple Sec
• Homemade Kahlua
• Vanilla Vodka
• Berry Vodka

Please feel free to post any requests either in the comments, or on my blog's Facebook page.

Dirty Martini Recipe

A dirty martini is a martini with olive brine from a jar of olives added.

Ingredients:

• 4 ounces Gin or Vodka
• 1 ounce Dry Vermouth
• 1 ounce Olive Brine
• Green Olives

Instructions:

1. Pour vermouth, olive brine, and gin or vodka into a mixing glass or shaker with ice.
2. Stir or shake well.
3. Strain into a martini glass.
4. Garnish with olives.

(Photo by IBA)

"Black and Tan" variations

A Black and Tan is not a traditional cocktail, since it is made with beer only, but I thought I'd post a few variations of the drink that I enjoy.  All of these drinks are made the same way, by layering a dark beer (typically Guinness) over a pale beer, only the ingredients differ.  So, I'll provide the instructions first, and then the list of variations with their ingredients.

Instructions:

1. Fill a pint glass half way with pale ale, lager, etc.
2. Float a half pint of stout to fill the glass by pouring over an upside-down spoon.

Black and Tan:  Bass Pale Ale and Guinness

Half and Half:  Harp Lager and Guinness

Blacksmith:  Smithwicks and Guinness

Snakebite:  Hard cider and Guinness

Filtering Infusions

Straining and filtering out the materials that you are infusing into a liquor is an important but laborious process.  Here is how I do it:

Step 1:

Strain the mixture into a pitcher through a fine mesh strainer. 
This will remove all of the larger pieces from the infusion.

Step 2:

Pour the mixture through a permanent coffee filter, such as this one. 
I usually place the filter into the strainer over a pitcher.  You will probably have to rinse the filter periodocally.  When the filter clogs (no more liquid is going through) I remove the filter, pour the liquid back into the container of un-filtered mixture, and rinse the filter in the sink.

Step 3:

Pour the mixture through disposable coffee filters.
I use flat-bottom coffee filters and place them in the strainer over a pitcher.  They will clog quickly and have to be replaced.  You can squeeze out the used filters into a bowl, and then run that through more filters at the end.

The resulting infusion should be free of sediment.  If needed, filter it again.

Limoncello Batch 3

Started another batch of limoncello (recipe).  This time I remembered to take pictures.  Once again, I used 1 bottle of Everclear and 1 bottle of Skyy vodka.

Picture of the lemons I used (organic lemons from Trader Joe's):

Pictures of the zest:

Picture of the infusion mixture:

Choosing Fruit for Infusing

Often in infusing, you will be using the zest of fruit.  This is most common with citrus flavored infusions.  Here are a few tips for picking citrus fruits to zest:

The condition of the outside of the fruit is what's important when choosing fruit for zesting, since this is the part that you want to use.  Try to pick citrus that has a bright color and few blemishes on the skin.  Most citrus will have a coating of food-grade wax on the outside, and may have pesticides. 

Organic fruit is available at most supermarkets and it won't have pesticides.  If you can find fruit that hasn't been coated in wax, use that.  However, this will be hard to find unless you have a farmer's market.  Even the organic fruit that I have found in stores has been coated in wax.

If you can't find wax-free or organic fruit, you can use any fruit available.  Just make sure to thoroughly wash the fruit as I explain in Tips on Zesting.

Homemade Grand Marnier Recipe

(Work in Progress)

A little while back, I started working on a recipe to make my own orange liqueur similar to grand marnier to use in my margarita recipe.  It is a 6 month proccess.  Here's the recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup Orange Zest (Organic Seville Oranges)
• 1/2 cup White Sugar
• 2 cups Brandy or Cognac(Paul Masson VSOP Grande Amber Brandy/Cognac blend)
• 1/2 tsp Glycerine

Instructions

Step 1:  (7/31/12)

1. Zest enough oranges to get 1/3 cup of orange zest.
2. Place orange zest and sugar in a small bowl.
3. Muddle the zest and sugar until the sugar is absorbed into the zest.
4. Place in a glass jar.
5. Add the brandy or cognac and the glycerine.
6. Stir ingredients.
7. Store in a cool, dark place for 2 to 3 months, shaking monthly.

Step 2:  (anticipated after 9/31/12)

1. Strain and filter the infusion.
2. Stir to combine.
3. Age 3 months before serving.

Notes:
Seville oranges are the traditional oranges to use in making this orange liqueur.  However, you can use any oranges.  The glycerine is optional and it's for texture.

My Zester

I use the OXO Good Grips Lemon Zester for zesting citrus.  I like the rubber handle, and it does a great job of removing the zest without the pith.

Muddling

Muddling is the combining of ingredients, usually in the bottom of a glass, by mashing them with a muddler before adding the remaining ingredients.  To muddle, throw the ingredients to be muddled in a mixing glass and mash them together with the muddler.

Dirty Vodka Infusion Recipe

I'm not much of a fan of olives, but my girlfriend likes her martinis dirty.  So, I'm infusing this vodka for use in making vodka martinis.  Not only should this make the perfect vodka for a dirty martini, but I'll be able to reuse the olives and onions as garnishes.

Ingredients:

• 1 jar Whole Green Olives with Pimentos
• 1 jar Cocktail Onions
• 1 jar Fire Roasted Red Peppers
• Vodka (Skyy)

Instructions:

1. Layer the olives, red peppers, and onions in a glass jar.
2. Fill to cover with vodka.
3. Allow to infuse for 1 month before using.

Notes:
I began this infusion on 8/12/12.

My Vegetable Brush

I use the OXO Good Grips Flexible Vegetable Brush to clean all of the fruit that I use for zesting.

My Cocktail Shaker

I use the Premium Cocktail Shaker Set - 24 oz Stainless Steel.  I haven't had any problems with leaks with this shaker.

My Juicer

I use the OXO Good Grips Citrus Juicer to juice fruit.  It has 2 sides to juice large or small fruit, and it's easy to clean and pour.

My Muddler

I use the OXO SteeL Muddler whenever I need to muddle a drink.  I like the soft rubber handle, and the nylon head is safe to use with glass. 

Whiskey Sour

This is my new favorite cocktail for summer.  It's a refreshing drink when sitting outside on a patio with a cocktail and a cigar.  I was enjoying these last night on the patio of J Buck's in Clayton while smoking a Padron 1964 Principe Natural. 

Here's the recipe:

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Bourbon (Makers Mark)
• 2/3 oz Lemon Juice
• 1 tsp Sugar
• 1 maraschino cherry

Instructions:

1. Stir sugar and lemon juice together in a shaker.
2. Add bourbon.
3. Fill shaker with ice.
4. Shake bourbon, lemon juice, and sugar.
5. Strain into a martini glass, or serve over ice in an old fashioned glass.
6. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.

Notes:
Traditionally these are served in a martini glass or a whiskey sour glass.  However, I prefer mine in an old fashioned glass with ice.

Homemade Sour Mix

Here's my recipe for homemade Sour Mix.  It works great in my Perfect Margarita Recipe.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Simple Syrup
• 1 cup fresh squeezed Lemon Juice
• 1/2 cup fresh squeezed Lime Juice

Instructions:

1. Juice the lemons and limes using a juicer.
2. Strain the lemon and lime juice.
3. Combine with simple syrup.
4. Bottle and store in the fridge.

Notes:
This is a great use for any lemons and limes that were used for juicing.  This Sour Mix must be kept refridgerated.  It should keep for 1 to 2 weeks.