Summer is a perfect time to create some delicious infusions with fresh fruits.
There is nothing more irresistible than a sun-ripened summer strawberry.
Infusing that strawberry flavor into a vodka to enjoy all year long is easy.
It’s a great liquor cabinet staple for home mixologists. It will remind of summer’s beautiful strawberries in any season.
What is Infusing Liquor?
Infusing liquor or making an infusion is an easy process.
It is combining ingredients to transfer the flavor of whatever you are using as a source into a neutrally flavored alcoholic.
It’s a great way to make homemade liquors flavored with seasonal ingredients or for a given season.
Infusing Vodka with Strawberries
After combining the strawberries and vodka, store in a cool, dark place (like a pantry or cupboard).
I turn the jar over and back upright once a day to move things around. That’s the only attention is needs while infusing.
The end result tastes great and is so refreshing.
Observations when Infusing this Vodka
When making the infused vodka, the color of the strawberries begins to transfer to the vodka within one day.
Refer to the title image taken 24 hour into the infusing process.
Within a week the strawberries look albino (see the image below) and the vodka dark pink.
I’ve left the strawberries in the vodka after the infusing time but you can also remove them for longer storage.
One reader suggests removing the original strawberries and replacing them with a new batch for even better flavor!
How to Infuse Strawberry Vodka – Step by Step
Infusing liquor is so easy! Using seasonal ingredients is a fun way to enjoy the flavors all year long.
For detailed instructions and measurements refer to the printable recipe at the end of the blog post.
Step 1: Add the strawberries to a clean 1-quart jar with lid.
Step 2: Pour in vodka.
Step 3: Allow to infuse in a cool, dark place for 1 week. Rotate jar up and down during the week to keep ingredients mixed.
Cocktails Recipes
Homemade Strawberry Infused Vodka can be swapped into most light flavored vodka cocktails with delicious results.
I’ve included three easy cocktail recipes in the recipe card below for some initial inspiration.
More Infusions You’ll Want to Make!
- Homemade Lemon-Infused Vodka (You’ll Never Buy Lemon Vodka Again!)
- Moscato Sangria: a Sparkling Wine Cocktail Punch
- 21 Autumn Cocktails and Infusions
- Apple-Infused Vodka: How to Make Your Own
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Recipe
Strawberry Vodka + Cocktails
Equipment
Ingredients
Strawberry Infused Vodka
- 2 cups fresh Strawberries
- 2 1/2 cups Vodka unflavored
Strawberry Vodka Ginger Cooler (cocktail) Serves: 1
- 1 1/2 ounces Strawberry Vodka
- 1 1/2 ounces Ginger Ale
- Seltzer Water
Strawberry Vodka Lemonade (cocktail) Serves: 1
- 1 ounce Strawberry Vodka
- Lemon Italian Soda I used 'Limoncello Italian Soda (lemon flavored; no alcohol)
- Ice
Strawberry Vodka Toni (cocktail) Serves: 1
- 1 1/2 ounce strawberry vodka
- Tonic water
- Ice
Instructions
Strawberry Vodka
- Wash and dry the jar.
- Add strawberries and vodka. Seal.
- Place in a cool dark place for 1 week.
- Discard strawberries and store in a cool dark place or the refrigerator.
Strawberry Vodka Ginger Cooler
- Fill a tall 16-ounce glass with ice.
- Add strawberry vodka and ginger ale to the glass.
- Fill with seltzer water.
Strawberry Vodka Lemonade
- Place 2 or 3 ice cubes in a 6-ounce cocktail (stemmed) glass.
- Add strawberry vodka and will with lemon Italian soda.
Strawberry Vodka Tonic
- Fill an 8-12 ounce highball glass with ice.
- Add strawberry vodka and tonic.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published: July 14, 2011
Sarah says
I throw in a couple of Basel leaves when I make this.
Alex Colwill says
I just made another batch of this and it's lovely stuff. The local strawberries are just coming to the end of their season but they still taste great. I like the infused vodka in the following cocktail:
Serves: 1
Ingredients:
· 2 ounces strawberry-infused vodka
· 1 ounce sugar (simple) syrup
· Soda / Seltzer water
Add a few ice cubes to a tall glass.
Shake the strawberry-infused vodka and syrup with ice in a cocktail shaker before straining into your glass (if you just add these two ingredients to the glass without shaking the syrup will sink to the bottom).
Top up with soda water.
Garnish with half a strawberry and a sprig of fresh mint (optional).
It's not exactly the most imaginative cocktail but I think it really showcases the beautiful taste of the strawberry vodka. The other cocktails list above are great too though. It also tastes nice served as a shot with approximately one part syrup to three parts vodka (or to suit your tastes), just remember to shake both with ice first though. It tastes nice neat straight from the freezer too.
Toni @ Boulder Locavore says
Hi Alex! Thanks for all of this. I love knowing what people do when they make the recipes. I think these infusions lend themselves to more simple cocktails frankly and yours sounds perfect. I like to taste the flavor of the infusion and something like strawberry can quickly be overtaken with lots of other ingredients. Thanks much for leaving this!
Shelf Life Question says
How long is the vodka good for after you infuse it? Is there a limited shelf life before/if it spoils?
Toni @ Boulder Locavore says
My apologies for the delay in responding! I'm querrying a Master Distiller friend as an 'expert'! Until then I can tell you I discarded the strawberries once infused and kept it all through the summer in a dark, cool place with no issue. Mine has never lasted enough to test how long it keeps! I also feel making small batches helps with this too. I'll post another comment once I hear back from the distiller. Thank you!
Veronica says
If you take the first batch of strawberries out after a few days, then add a batch of fresh ones for another few days, the results are out of this world!
Anonymous says
Looking forward to a recipe for cognac infused cherries…had them with a wonderful whiskey sour drink in a local pub…..just wanted the cherries!!