Making your own Homemade Apple-Infused Vodka is easy and inexpensive. It only takes two ingredients a few days for infusing. You’ll love all the ways you can use the vodka when it’s ready!
Updated in May 2018
This week I posted a fun vintage recipe redo in which my task was to iterate and update an apple fritter recipe. First thoughts were something like a croquette, which then turned toward a Sopapilla. For those who have enjoyed this fried, puffy bread served as dessert at Mexican restaurants, you would know it is always served with honey. I had wanted to serve it with honey infused with chilies (which I hoped to make myself) and thus began my research about infusing.
I learned infusing most anything is very simple. For my specific recipe task I ultimately decided to pair my final recipe choice (Apple Pork Mini Empanadas, gluten free!) with an Apple Martini made from vodka I’d infused myself.
I chose apple because of the flavors in my dish but you can infuse anything into vodka (and probably other liquors though vodka is ideal due to its minimal taste). When I was searching for my beet breakthrough recipe last fall, someone shared the idea of beet infused vodka (not quite there yet).
How long to let the Apple Vodka ‘soak’?
I read that the vodka will have picked up the flavors within a few days. I put mine together before the holidays and frankly forgot about it so it infused for two weeks. It has a delicate flavor of apple and is the most gorgeous color amber. I do not think it can soak ‘too long’. You will note the apples begin to oxidize (turn brown) which is due to exposure to the air in the jar. When you are happy with the infusion, strain the vodka into a fresh jar and discard the apples.
Recipe
Apple-Infused Vodka & Apple Martini Recipe
Ingredients
For Homemade Apple-Infused Vodka:
- 2 Apples washed, cored and cut into 8 pieces
- 2 cups Vodka (medium grade quality)
For Apple Martini:
- 2 ounces Homemade Apple-Infused Vodka
- 1 ounce Calvados
Instructions
For Homemade Apple-Infused Vodka:
- Add apples to a sealable glass jar. Pour vodka into the jar (should cover apples; add more if it doesn't). Place in a cool, dark location and allow to soak a minimum of 4 days and up to two weeks. Shake jar or stir daily.
- Strain apples and store in a cool, dark place.
For Apple Martini:
- Combine in a shaker with 1 cup crushed ice; shake, strain and pour into a martini glass.
Nutrition
Originally published: January 14, 2011
Boulder Locavore says
Thanks everyone for your comments! I loved the soft essence of apple in this vodka AND the martini recipe was flavorful without whacking you across the head.
Thoma: infusing is the process of bringing the flavors of one thing into another. So in this case by soaking the apples in vodka, the vodka takes on the flavor of apple.
Nicole: your liqueur sounds great! A definite upgrade of the kalhua I made in college for gifts(poor recipients).
Ali: most hilarious thing I've ever heard! Dare I ask, had you intended to try to make this or was it a side affect of your party?!
Goza says
How much vodka does your recipe require?
Toni Dash says
It wasn’t a measured amount; just enough to cover the apples! My guess would be between 3-4 cups.
Medifast Coupons says
Brilliant! Make your apple flavour for vodka can be used with so many recipes or simply drank on it's own. What a great treat to serve to guests.
Nicole says
Nice idea. For Christmas, I made a coffee-chocolate liqueur with vodka, 250g of raw cocoa nibs, 150g of whole dark-roasted coffee beans and 500g of sugar. Mix it all together in a mason jar, then let it infuse for 6 weeks, giving a gentle shake once a week. End result – WOW!!!
kitchenmorph says
what does infuse mean?
Ali@AroundTheVeggieTable says
Yum. This sounds a lot better than the kettle-corn infused gin I made for Halloween. Warning: do NOT, under any circumstances, infuse gin with kettle corn. Nasty.
Cakewhiz says
I don't drink vodka but i am going to try this with different sodas ….i am sure apples mixed with sprite or mirinda would be mind-blowing too.
Btw, very pretty pictures 🙂
A little bit of everything says
your apple vodka is a great idea for a party. I'll give it a try next time we're throwing a cocktail party.
thanks,
Roxana
Biren @ Roti n Rice says
Your apple infused vodka sounds really good. I'll have to give it a try.
Rosemary says
I've tried making lemoncello before — it was pretty good, but this apple drink is very intriguing! Gotta try it. I just read today somewhere — for the life of me, I can't remember where!?! (but I'll remember) — how to make vanilla extract, with beans and vodka.
Carolyn says
Oh I love this! My husband and I have a mini-tradition of trying new cocktail recipes every weekend, but often we just end up with a regular martini because we can't think of anything. I am doing this for certain, it's such a great idea!