Making vanilla vodka is simple and can be done at home. You can decide to enjoy it on its own or add it to a wide variety of cocktails.
Ingrediants
- 250 ml of vodka
- 2-3 vanilla pods
Steps
Step 1. Pour the vodka into a glass jar or leave it in the original bottle if you think it's the right size
Step 2. Open the vanilla pods and dip them in the vodka
To open the pods, place them on a flat, clean surface and simply engrave them with a vertical cut, using the tip of a sharp knife.
Some people prefer to scrape the inside of the pod before adding it to vodka, but this is not recommended, as this is where most of the vanilla flavor resides
Step 3. Close the jar with the lid or the bottle with the cap
Step 4. Let the vodka sit for at least 5 days, preferably a week, while remembering that an infusion time of approximately 3-5 weeks will likely produce the best flavor possible
After inserting the pod into the vodka, you will notice that the liquid will take on a slight tinge, then darken further over time. Shake the infusion every 2-3 days to distribute the vanilla and store your infusion in a cool, dark place.
You can leave the pods to infuse for as long as you want, nevertheless the vodka will be ready to drink even after just one week
Step 5. Discard the pods as soon as you are satisfied with the flavor achieved by your brew
If you want to remove any vanilla sediments from the bottom of the vodka, pour it through a very fine sieve and transfer it to a clean bottle.
If you don't want to throw away the vanilla beans, you can leave them in the vodka, but over time they will tend to become sticky and disintegrate (over many months)
Step 6. Enjoy it
Drink it on its own or add to a cocktail. For example, make a delicious vanilla martini, or pour it over cubed ice and top the drink with ginger for a creamy effect.
Vanilla vodka is also excellent used in dessert recipes
Advice
- Turn it into a welcome gift for anyone who loves vodka.
- Label and date the jar or bottle.
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In addition to vanilla, you can use different ingredients to flavor your vodka, let's see some of them:
- Vanilla and some lavender flowers (about 1/4 cup), do not leave the flowers to infuse over 3 weeks, they will tend to become bitter
- Vanilla and a few small figs
- Vanilla and chocolate
- Vanilla and blueberries
- Vanilla and pineapple
- Vanilla and mango
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Image If you really like vanilla, you can always consider adding lots of vanilla pods! You can increase the vanilla if you wish, but don't overdo it, otherwise the final taste could be unpleasant.
