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.

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.

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.

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.

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.