What To Do With Flavored Vodka

Pick From Delicious Flavors Like Peach Citrus And Orange

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Tony Abou-Ganim, renowned bartender and author of “Vodka Distilled,” has no patience for peoples dislike of vodka, let alone flavored varieties. Ive had 40 years working in the bar business, and one of the reasons I became an advocate of the spirit is that the backlash was hard to swallow, he says.

Vodka has gotten a bad rap partly due to the outlandish, oftentimes poorly made flavored versions that flooded the market decades ago. But times have changed, and flavored vodkas today are as well-crafted as any other spirit. It is nice to see smaller artisanal distillers bringing in vodkas that have character,” says Abou-Ganim. “There are some beautiful flavored ones, and theyre just more colors on my palette of ingredients to use in cocktail preparation.

For Slava Borisov, bartender at Travelle at The Langham hotel in Chicago, the key to using flavored vodka as a base spirit is adding other ingredients that specifically highlight the vodka’s main flavorfor instance, a chile-flavored vodka to lay down the spice in a Bloody Mary, or a berry-infused vodka to boost the cranberry juice in a Sea Breeze. Here are some of the best flavored vodkas to try today.

Put Skittles In Bottles

Now put your separated Skittles into 5 bottles, one flavor per bottle. You can use old water bottles, mason jars, thoroughly cleaned condiment jars, old vodka bottles any container with a secure lid plastic or glass.

Mason jars work very well because theyre easy to wash out. And whatever bottle you use is going to get a lot of sticky gunk in the bottom that will need to be cleaned.

Bringing Home The Flavor With Flavored Vodka

Part of the fun of mixing cocktails is seeing how all the different flavors of your ingredients interact and play off of each other. If youre ready to take your experiments to the next level, flavored vodka is a must, and the options are nearly infinite. For more inspiration, check out the winning flavored vodkas from the SIP Awards.

Also Check: Svedka Calories Per Shot

The Drink Recipes Every Vodka Drinker Needs

The Spruce

Vodka may be the most mixable and useful liquor in the bar. The spirit’s clear, clean taste pairs well with any flavor, from sweet to savory and dry to spicy. Featured in thousands of cocktail recipes that vary in character, ingredients, and style, there is a vodka cocktail for every drinker and occasion.

Within that extensive list of vodka drinks, some standouts are considered essential. These are the most popular of those recipes and the drinks that everyone should taste at least once.

Choose Your Liquor And Flavorings

The first and most obvious step is to choose your infusion. Most common liquors, like vodka, tequila, rum, whiskey and gin, are all great choices. More complex liquors, like mezcal, aren’t as easy to work with.

Vodka is my favorite option – it’s essentially a blank canvas that can take on any flavor combination. If you’re not a fan of vodka, tequila and rum are easy to start with, too.

When it comes to choosing flavors to infuse, think about your favorite cocktails involving that liquor. Rum, for example, is often used with tropical flavors like pineapple, mango, guava, etc. Whiskey, on the other hand, often calls for warmer flavors like cinnamon, anise, orange and vanilla.

You can infuse liquor with just about anything – fresh fruit, herbs, spices, dried fruit, and anything else your heart desires. It’s best to stick with just a few complementary flavors – don’t overdo it with too many ingredients. Here’s a breakdown of the ingredients we used in these infusions:

• Vodka + Fresh strawberries + Vanilla Bean
• Tequila + Jalapeño + Lime

• Strawberry Vanilla Bean Vodka
• Pineapple Rum

It doesn’t have to be complicated. The pineapple infused rum is actually my favorite – it’s SO good in tropical cocktails!

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Best For Collins: Ketel One Cucumber & Mint

Drizly

Made with natural cucumber and mint essences , this Ketel One expression is crisp, lively, and at just 60 proof, it’s “smooth and friendly,” says Borisov. In other words, its the perfect spirit for summer, especially if youre looking for lightness and garden-fresh flavor. “One of the easiest ways to use this bottle is in a Collins-type cocktail that includes vodka, simple syrup , a touch of lemon juice and soda water. Its refreshing and easy,” he says.

Family-owned distillery Hanson of Sonoma makes “some beautiful, honest flavors,” says Abou-Ganim. “The Habanero is delicious and savory.” Made in Sonoma County, this vodka is infused with locally sourced, organic chileshabaneros and seven other varietiesfor a spicy spirit with a bit of lemongrass on the finish. Its excellent in a Bloody Mary, where it augments both the fruitiness of the tomato juice and the heat of the Tabasco and horseradish. If you add a shot of beef broth to the cocktail, it also makes a “gorgeous” Bloody Bull, according to Abou-Ganim.

Strain And Store Your Infused Liquor

To strain your infusion, pour the liquor through a fine mesh sieve into a wide-mouth jar, measuring cup or glass bowl. If the infusion contains fruit with seeds/pulp , line the sieve with a cheesecloth to remove as much sediment as possible.

Discard the fruit/infusion ingredients. Clean the glass jar you used for the infusion and return the infused liquor to the jar. Seal and store in a dark, cool place. It will last indefinitely, but we’re willing to bet you’ll get through it pretty quickly!

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White Peach And Mango Sangria

Sangrias always make a splash at parties. When you want one thats a little lighter and brighter, turn to the white peach and mango sangria recipe. Its a very flavorful sangria that combines mango rum, peach schnapps, and Pinot Grigio. Add a trio of fresh citrus fruits, then finish it with lemon-lime soda and its ready for the party.

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Vodka Cocktails You Need To Try

Vodka has been America’s most popular spirit since 1976 for a reason: It’s incredibly versatile. Clear, colorless, odorless, and flavorless, vodka pairs well with just about any flavor profile you can think of, making it an essential bottle to have on hand if you’re entertaining at home. That neutrality also means it also takes well to infusions with ingredients like citrus fruits, herbs, and even jalapeño peppers. We’ve collected our favorite vodka cocktails here, from bartenders and chefs around the country. Some, like the Vodka Gimlet, are easy to make, requiring only vodka and lime cordial. Others, like the East Jaffa Mule, are perfect for showing off your mixology skills. But there’s something for almost everyone here, from Martinis to Bloody Marys to Mules. Stock up your cabinet with your favorite vodka and start mixing.

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Its Sour Sweet And Oh

This definitely isnt the pink lemonade from your lemonade stand. Smirnoff has infused this vodka with red berriesspecifically, strawberries and raspberries. The sweetness balances out the tart lemon flavor perfectly, making sure neither flavor overpowers the other.

This tropical delight has a 30% ABV, so just a splash is all your drink needs. Its available in three sizesa 750mL bottle, a 1.5L bottle and a 10-pack of 50mL Smirnoff Ice bottles. Whether youre looking to unwind on the deck after a long day or have a drink with friends, youve got options!

Infused Flavored Vodka Recipes

Infused Flavored Vodka Recipes A great way to spice up a cocktail menu. Making Infused Vodka is a fun rainy day project for you and a group of friends! For your next party, have fun making infused flavored vodkas.

Learn how easy it is to make flavored vodkas with edible foods such as herbs, vegetables, fruits and spices. Besides just vodka, you can also infuse liquors such as white rum, tequila, brandy or grappa. Warning there will be no extra vodka left for drinking! These infused flavored vodkas also make wonderful gifts just purchase some fancy bottles.

Instructional Video on How to Make Bacon and Cucumber Infused Vodka

• 1 bottle ofvodka for each flavor or type of infused vodka you are making*

• Sterilized glass jar with lid
• Largestraineror funnel

• Strawberries,blackberries, and blueberries, hulled and cut into halves
• Oranges,lemons, tangerines, and limes, peeled and sliced
• 2vanilla beans,cut lengthwise
• Freshherbsof your choice
• Cucumbers,peeled and sliced
• Chile peppers,seeded and cut in half
• Apples,pears, or peaches, cut into small chunks
• Saffron
• Cocoapowder

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What Goes Good With Flavored Vodka

Heres What Youll Need To Make It

While a classic traditional martini is made with gin, this recipe uses vodka to let the clean fresh flavor of the pineapple come through.

To get the pure sweet tropical flavor of pineapple in a martini youll need just a few ingredients. Ive kept it super simple so you can enjoy this easy pineapple cocktail any time.

• Pineapple juice look for 100% pineapple juice with no sugar or other flavors added. You can get it in a jar or fresh in the produce section. If you have access to fresh-pressed pineapple juice from your local juice bar it will taste even more authentic.

You can also use homemade. Its easy to make pineapple juice at home from a whole pineapple with or without a juicer. To make it without a juicer, just core and peel the pineapple, puree it in a high power blender and strain it to make fresh juice.

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How Do You Make Flavored Vodka Taste Better

To Make It Youll Need :

1 cup Blue Chair Bay Coconut Rum2 cups orange juice1 cup grenadine10-12 orange or lemon slices for garnish

Mix the coconut rum, orange juice, pineapple juice and ginger ale together. Strain over ice and add the grenadine as needed . Finally, serve with orange and/or lemon slices for garnish and let the sounds of the ocean take you far, far away.

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What Cocktail Shaker Should I Buy

Cocktail shakers inexpensive and worth the splurge if youre into drinks like Alex and I are. A cocktail shaker quickly chills this watermelon vodka drink by shaking it against ice. Then it has a strainer so you can pour it without pouring out the ice too. It seems like there would be another kitchen tool to do the job, but theres nothing quite like it. Heres the cocktail shaker we use:

What if you dont have a cocktail shaker? Use a glass mason jar instead of a cocktail shaker. Add the drink to the mason jar, then add ice. Put on the top and shake away! Pouring out the cocktail without the ice will be a little trickier: pour through a strainer to keep the ice in the jar.

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Diy Vodka Infusions That’ll Seriously Upgrade Your Homemade Cocktails

Flavor-infused cocktails are always in order on a sweet summer night, and there’s no better way to up your amateur bartending skills than with homemade vodka infusions.

Not only are the DIY versions healthier than their liquor-store counterparts — see ya never, artificial flavors! –they’re also wildly simple to make. Test out flavor combos you’ve been itching to try, like blueberries and watermelon for a fresh martini or bacon and habanero for a spicy bloody mary. Most recipes call for cutting fresh fruits, herbs or even meats and letting them soak in a jar of vodka for anywhere from 36 hours to 13 days before blending, mixing or simply pouring over ice.

Vodka infusions also make for pretty party décor, sweet kitchen counter accents and thoughtful gifts. And when you’re sipping an artisanal homemade cocktail outside on a warm evening, you’ll know that summer has officially arrived. Cheers to the seven infused vodka recipes below.

Get the Blood Orange Sangria recipe from How Sweet EatsGet the Meyer Lemon Whiskey Sours recipe from Garnish With LemonGet the Bubbly Strawberry Mojitos recipe from Garnish With LemonGet the Blueberry Sangria recipe from Love And ConfectionsGet the Peach Rosé Sangria recipe from Garnish With Lemon

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What Flavor Mixes Well With Watermelon

How To Mix Vodka

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Jessica Gibson. Jessica Gibson is a Writer and Editor whoâs been with wikiHow since 2014. After completing a year of art studies at the Emily Carr University in Vancouver, she graduated from Columbia College with a BA in History. Jessica also completed an MA in History from The University of Oregon in 2013.There are 14 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.The wikiHow Video Team also followed the articleâs instructions and verified that they work. This article has been viewed 15,496 times.Learn moreâ¦

Vodka is one of the most popular alcohols to use for mixed drinks. Its clean, pure flavor is easy to combine with juice, soda, or flavored liqueurs, and you probably already have several easy mixers on hand. For a quick drink, choose 1 or 2 mixers, such as cranberry and pineapple juice, to stir into vodka or branch out and make a Bloody Mary, cosmo, or another fun vodka cocktail.

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Pink Lemonade Vodka Drink Recipe:

limoncello liqueur sparks the lemonade flavors along with the fresh lemon squeeze. The flavor of the limoncello works beautifully in this recipe.

Add the cranberry juice to make it a pretty pink. The pink lemonade color is a lovely counterpoint to the lemon wheel garnish and mint leaf.

This fruity drink with vodka has lively flavors and a sweet fizz. Its also an easy vodka drink to make. The fresh lime squeeze brightens the flavors and brings in a bit of zestiness.

Enjoy this cocktail lounging around with the grill going In a hammockvisiting at a dinner party. This drink fits right in.

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Strawberry Lemonade Vodka Cocktail Directions

Grab your ingredients and lets make it!

Step 1: Wash and slice your strawberries and lemons. Cut a few strawberries in half and slice a few lemon wheels. This step is optional. The added fruit makes this drink look extra gorgeous and the strawberries are quite tasty after soaking in the strawberry lemonade vodka.

Step 2: Add ice, lemon wheels and strawberry slices to your cocktail glass. The ice will help hold the fruit down in the glass.

Step 3: If youre garnishing with lemons, go ahead and add a little squeeze of lemon into the glass. It adds an extra freshness to this drink.

Step 4: Add one shot of Svedka Strawberry Lemonade Vodka

Step 5: Top off with Pink Lemonade Italian Soda.

Step 6: Add a strawberry for garnish.

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Alcohol Infusions To Try

It can be difficult to know where to begin with infusions, but there are plenty of ideas to get you started. For instance, you might try an apple-pear gin or a cocoa-infused rye whiskey. Both are delicious, easy, and can make some very interesting cocktails.

It’s also incredibly easy to make your own cinnamon whiskey to replace something like Fireball. Simply combine a couple of cinnamon sticks and the whiskey of your choice and infuse it for a few days. You’ll find it to be much cleaner and more naturally flavored than those sweetened cinnamon whiskey liqueurs.

You don’t have to start with unflavored liquor, either. It’s fun to add a complementary flavor to store-bought flavored vodka or rum. For instance, you can infuse rosemary into a strawberry-flavored rum or try a quick jalapeño infusion in mango vodka. Liqueurs and fortified wines are also fair game Thai chile-infused Aperol and raspberry vermouth are two great examples.

These are just the beginning of the possible infusions you can create. Let nothing stop you from experimenting and trying out new flavor pairings in any liquor you feel like using. You will have some duds, that’s for sure, but when you come across a winner, the discovery can do wonders for your cocktails.

Enjoy the process and, most importantly, have fun!