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How to Infuse Vodka at Home

Anyone who frequents the vodka section of the liquor store has probably noticed that the flavor options have expanded tremendously over the past decade or so. But true vodka enthusiasts know that the flavored vodka trend isn’t limited to artificially flavored vodkas. Infusion is the DIY of flavored vodkas with options and flavors that are unsurpassed by store-bought alternatives.

What Does Infusing Vodka Mean?

Lynnette Marrero, mixologist and friend of Smirnoff, defines infusion as “adding an external flavor into a base.” She says vodka has “a very clean valor palate so it’s a very good canvas.”

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Stoli’s Braxton Overgaauw, an experienced bartender previously of Polo Bar, explains that infusing vodka is “a great way to introduce a new element or flavor profile to your vodka. It’s a simple and inexpensive way to transform and add sophistication to basic cocktails.”

To get you started on your DIY vodka journey, we checked in with Marrero, Overgaauw and Finlandia mixologist Pekka Pellinen to get their tips on how to infuse vodka at home, and the best infused vodka recipes.

What Can You Infuse into Vodka?

Ingredients from fruits and vegetables to spices and herbs can be infused into vodka.

In a guide that Finlandia provides to new bartenders that includes general infusion directions, there is a wide range of ingredients to choose from, including fruits, vegetables, an assortment of chiles, honey, marshmallows, and more. If you are imaginative enough, the possibilities are ample. Marrero shares that she is currently experimenting with sweet Miso.

Pellinen offered a few examples and explanations for what type of flavors the ingredients produce.

Pineapple and Mint: The pineapple adds sweetness while a hint of mint really freshens it up Bell Peppers: They infuse really quickly and are pretty spicy, Pellinen says, recommending it as a great Bloody Mary for tailgates Cucumber and Basil: Pelinnen describes this as a great summertime infusion which she likes with some grapefruit sparkling water

How to Infuse Vodka at Home

Pellinen says that if you are bypassing the flavored vodka on the shelf and want to try your hand at making your own, you should start by selecting a vodka with a neutral flavor. That way, Pellinen says, “The flavors you are using shine in the final product.”

“Some vodkas have a grainy smell or a heavy viscosity that will show up in the infusion you make,” says Pellinen, who recommends Finlandia for its “crisp, neutral taste that works perfectly with infusing even the most delicate flavors.”

Overgaauw says to infuse vodka you should start with a small glass container or a bottle; he recommends “a small mason jar or something that has a sealable lid when experimenting.”

How to Make Infused Vodka

Wash both the glass and the ingredients; removing any soap from the glass and residue from fresh ingredients

Place the desired ingredients into the glass; this can be an assortment of ingredients or just one Fill the glass with vodka until the ingredients are covered Let the glass sit and infuse until you get your desired flavor strength (Note: Our experts recommend anywhere from four hours to 3-4 days, based on personal preference and the type of ingredient you are infusing into the vodka) Strain the vodka and put it back in the jar Drink it straight or mix it to create a cocktail

Now that you know the basis of how to infuse vodka, try your hand at some of these recipes provided by the experts.

Infused Vodka Recipes

Rosemary Infused elit Vodka

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Overgaauw says his personal crowd-pleaser is a rosemary-infused elit Vodka. He also provided a recipe for a cocktail to make using this particular infused vodka.

Infusion recipe

Infuse a glass container with a few sprigs of rosemary Top it with elit Vodka and let it rest for about 4-6 hours

Drink recipe

2 ounces of rosemary-infused elit Vodka ¾ ounce of freshly squeezed lemon juice ½ ounce of Demerara syrup or simple syrup Shake it up and strain it over ice Top with club soda Garnish with either a rosemary sprig or lemon twist

Mint Hot Chocolate

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Impress your guests at your next holiday party with this festive infused vodka recipe provided by Pellinen.

Infusion recipe

15 peppermint flavored candy canes or fresh peppermint Infuse candy canes 1 hour (the candy canes dissolve) in Finlandia vodka

Drink recipe

Pour 1 ounce Finlandia infusion into a mug of hot chocolate Garnish with whipped cream and a candy cane

The Eastman

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Marrero revealed she loves using tea with vodka and provided the following recipe and drink recommendation. She warns that “caffeinated tea, such as black tea and green, need to be monitored to not get too tannic. Herbal tea can be infused a little longer.”

Ingredients

3 tea bags (caffeinated or decaffeinated) or 3 grams of tea (approximately 3 teaspoons) 1 cup or 8 ounces of Smirnoff vodka (there are 3 cups in 1 750ml bottle)

Instructions for infusing vodka

Place the tea bags or loose tea in a canning jar, pitcher, or in a sous vide bag* Pour the vodka over the tea (*For sous vide, set temp to 135 degrees F and cook for 1.5 hours. Let cool for 20 minutes. After infused, strain out the tea) Seal and leave the tea to infuse the vodka for 3-4 hours; taste at 3 hours to check for strength of tea flavor and continue diffusing and taste testing until desired taste is achieved Either remove, squeeze and discard the tea bags or use a fine strainer to sift out loose tea Store the vodka at room temperature for up to 3 days, in the refrigerator for up to 1 month, or in the freezer for up to 3 months

The Eastman recipe

1 ½ ounces of Smirnoff vodka infused with coconut green tea ¾ ounces of honey syrup (1 part honey to 1 part water) 1 ounce of pineapple juice

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Ed Virgin, Khareem Sudlow