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.
Strawberry Vodka Lemonade cocktail
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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Strawberry Ginger Cooler
Strawberry Vodka + Cocktails
Homemade Strawberry-Infused Vodka is easy to make. It's perfect in refreshing summery cocktails too!
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.
Recipe Notes
Nutritional calculation is for the strawberry vodka only (not the cocktails).
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!!
Boulder Locavore says
Hi Cocinaecantada:
I think you can infuse any alcohol. The trick is the flavor profile. I posted a different recipe for Watermelon-Infused Tequila. Based on my research I only use white or silver tequila which is not aged therefore not having a heavy, distinct flavor. I've also made Cherry Bounce, which is sour cherries, sugar and bourbon which is divine. Consider the alcohol you like and get a mild flavor (strawberries are mild) and I'm sure it will be delicious!
cocinaencantada says
You have a beautiful website here! I think I need to go get some strawberries now! I'm not a fan of vodka, do you think this would work with other types of alcohol?
Daniel Diver says
I love this
Jenny (VintageSugarcube) says
Fabulous!! Fabulous!! I just made some last week for a party. The best vodka ever. Your pics are stunning and I love all your recipe ideas. Happy Summer. 🙂
Sara @ Saucy Dipper says
I've got strawberries on my mind, too. I keep thinking about a strawberry/tomato salsa recipe I found. I just can't put the flavors together in my mind, so I'll have to make it to figure it out.
But I digress…I've never infused vodka, but you're right. It does look easy. Maybe next summer I'll make a batch 🙂
Sprigs of Rosemary says
How nice to see your strawberry vodka be featured on Food 52! Nicely done!
Russell at Chasing Delicious says
It seems every time I stop by you're infusing a new alcohol and making a delicious drink with it. I love it! This recipe not only sounds scrumptious but it looks super cute too.
boulderfoodie says
What a gorgeous site! I love it!
Lisa @ Tarte du Jour says
I seriously wish I could show up at your house at cocktail hour sometime! You come up with the most delicious and refreshing sounding cocktails. the pale pink color of the vodka is beautiful!
Peggy says
Oooh yummy! Sounds like some great cocktails – and great tips on infusing vodka/alcohols =)
Kelly @ Eat Yourself Skinny says
I must say I LOVE this post! Everyone who knows me knows I drink cherry vodka every time I go out with friends and they would find it AMAZING if I made my very own! I'll have to try this and impress my friends, thanks for sharing!! 🙂
thislittlepiggywenttothefarmersmarket.com says
Delightful – perfect for cooling off. Love strawberries- wish strawberry season would last longer!
Rachel @ My Naturally Frugal Family says
I love strawberries…so I don't think there could ever be such a thing as overload.
This drink looks so refreshing and thank you for the tutorial on infusing the vodka…I've got some at home and might have to mix some up 🙂
Aubrey says
I've seen several straberry vodka recipes lately, but your post convinced me. I must try that strawberry ginger cooler, looks fantastic!
Eliotseats says
You must be knee-deep in strawberry season!!!! Lucky you! I was going to make some strawberry tequila this spring but strawberry season came and went without that getting done. Enjoy all the fruits of the season! (I am printing this off for next spring!)
kitchenarian says
I love strawberries and could never get tired of reading strawberry recipes especially if it involves vodka. Two of my favorite things! 🙂 I need to get some strawberries because I really want to make your strawberry vodka tonic.
veronica@mycatholickitchen.com says
Oh, I love this. I have fresh strawberries and vodka. Everything is in my pantry. I cant help but wonder if I left it alone for a week or two, if I can stand it, what it would taste like.
Lo-mo says
Fabulous! That's all I really have to say!!!
Juju says
This looks so refreshing! I need one of those strawberry vodka's with gingerale!! yummy =]
Jennifer says
Sounds amazing and a bit naughty!