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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Orange Juice Liqueur

(Work in Progress)

This is another liqueur that I am attempting to make to go into my Margarita Martini recipe.  The idea is to make a margarita-flavored martini using this Orange Juice Liqueur, the Lime Tequila that I'm developing, and limoncello.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups (6-7 oranges) freshly squeezed Orange Juice (organic seville oranges)
• Zest of one Orange
• 3/4 cup Vodka (Skyy)
• 3/4 cup Brandy or Cognac (Paul Masson VSOP Grande Amber Brandy/Cognac blend)
• 1 cup Simple Syrup

Instructions:
Step 1:  (7/31/12)

1. Zest one orange.
2. Juice and strain enough oranges to get 1 1/2 cups of orange juice.
3. Combine the juice, zest, vodka, and brandy or cognac in a glass container.
4. Place in fridge for 4 weeks.

Step 2:  (Anticipated 8/28/12)

1. Strain and filter.
2. Add simple syrup.
3. Bottle and return to fridge for a minimum of 1 week before serving.

Lime Tequila

(Work in Progress)

So, the other day I had an idea for a Margarita Martini.  I want the margarita flavor, but in a more traditional martini format.  My idea is to make this drink entirely from homemade liqueurs.  I plan on using limoncello, an orange liqueur, and a tequila-based lime liqueur.

This Lime Tequila recipe is based on the concept of limoncello:

Ingredients:

• 7 limes
• 1 cup Silver Tequila (1800)
• 1 cup White Sugar

Instructions:

Step 1:  (Completed 7/31/12)

1. Zest the limes.
2. Juice the limes.
3. Strain any pulp out of the lime juice.
4. Dissolve the sugar into the lime juice.
5. Combine zest, tequila, and lime juice/sugar mixture in glass container.
6. Place in fridge for a minimum of 45 days.

Step 2:  (Anticipated)

Filter the liquer.

I hope that this will produce a nice, sweet, lime-flavored tequila liqueur.  I'll let you know how it turns out.

Check back later for information on the orange liqueurs that I am working on.

My Limoncello Recipe

Back in March, I decided to try my hand at making my own limoncello. I just finished my first batch, and it turned out great! I decided to use a mixture of 190-proof grain alcohol and 80-proof vodka as a base. It turned out strong, but not overpowering. I've already started another batch to give out at Christmas.  Here is the recipe.  I'll post tips, comments, and pictures when I have a chance.

My Limoncello Recipe

Ingredients:

• 14 lemons
• 1 bottle(750 ml) 190-proof grain alcohol (Everclear)
• 1 bottle (750 ml) 80-proof mid-grade vodka (Skyy)
• 3 cups (750 ml) filtered water
• 4 cups pure white cane sugar

Instructions:

Step 1

1. Scrub lemons with a brush in hot water.

2. Remove the zest from the lemons using a zester (see Tips on Zesting).

3. Put zest in a large glass jar.

4. Add vodka and grain alcohol and shake.

5. Leave in cool dark place for a minimum of 45 days.

Step 2

1. Disolve sugar in water and boil for 5 minutes.
2. Allow mixture to cool.
3. While cooling, strain alcohol/zest infusion through a fine strainer to remove zest.
4. Pour infusion and sugar water back into jar.
5. Leave in cool dark place for a minimum of another 45 days.

Step 3

1. Filter the mixture through coffee filters changing the filters as they get clogged (I place coffee filter in a funnel).
2. Filter a second time.
3. Funnel into bottles (I just keep the empty bottles from the vodka and grain alcohol and other liquor bottles, clean them, and remove the labels).
4. Place in freezer until ready to drink.

Serve in a cordial glass.