Scandinavian monks have been infusing vodka for centuries, primarily with herbs and berries. And your local liquor store probably carries a wide variety of "flavored" vodkas at premium prices. But you don't have to be a monk or spend a wad of cash to create your own flavored, or infused, vodkas at home. It's simple, fairly quick, and fertile ground for lots of imagination. Here's how to get started:
What you need:
- Good quality vodka, such as Ketel One, Stolichnaya, Absolut, or Grey Goose
- Clear jars or bottles, with cork stoppers or screw tops (cleaned well)
- A variety of fresh ingredients, such as herbs and fruit
To get the most out of your vodka, try making a variety of infusions in small batches:
- Prepare individual ingredients as specified below. Place the desired ingredient(s) in the bottom of a clean jar and then fill jar with vodka.
- Seal tightly and chill for anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.
- After vodka has reached desired intensity, strain the ingredients out and store vodka in the freezer.
Pepper Vodka
Use peppers such as jalapeno, habanero, bell peppers, sweet Italian peppers or a combination. Wash and dry the peppers, then slice into strips. For more intense flavor, leave seeds intact. Try 1/2 of pepper per 8 oz. of vodka. Chill for anywhere from 3 hours to 2 days. If flavor isn't strong enough, add more pepper. Conversely, if it's too strong for you, just top off with plain vodka.
Serve alone, with Bloody Mary mix, or with tonic and lime.
Horseradish Vodka
You can use either prepared horseradish or freshly grated horseradish root. Start with 1/2 teaspoon per 8 oz. of vodka. Chill for 2 - 3 days and then taste. Add more if needed. If flavor is right, then strain. Keep in the freezer.
Excellent served as a shot alongside oysters on the half shell.
Ginger Vodka
Peel and grate fresh ginger. Start with 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon per 8 oz. of vodka. Chill for several days. Proceed as noted above.
Makes a nice martini, softened with sugar or simple syrup, and garnished with crystallized ginger.
Fruit Infused Vodka
Fruit infusions take a week or 2 to fully develop. Use citrus peels (the colored part only - no white), diced apple, chopped strawberries, raspberries, pineapple, peaches, blackberries or cranberries. Check flavor after 1 week and then adjust as needed.
Makes a nice, subtle martini. Also works with a variety of mixers.
Tip:
Experiment with different flavors - herbs such as basil, oregano, tarragon, or thyme (leave herbs attached to stems), fresh vanilla beans split lengthwise, or coffee beans. The possibilities are endless! 
See Next Page For How To Infuse Sugar
