Skip the top-shelf vodka when making Bloody Marys. There’s a secret to bringing the biggest pop of flavor to your firewater. It’s easy, cost-effective—and be warned, it may help to one-up your grandparent’s timeless cocktail recipes.
The trick: add a splash of homemade pickle-, jalapeno- or bacon-flavored vodka.
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I got the idea while I was infusing vodka with raspberries for a refreshing summer cocktail. You can infuse vodka with practically anything, but fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices work best. I tossed a few pickle spears in a jar with some dill sprigs, covered it all with vodka and let it rest for a bit. Then, I added it to this classic Bloody Mary recipe and it tasted insanely delicious.
This got me wondering if I could do the same thing with other flavors. Bacon vodka and jalapeno-lime vodka soon followed and my Bloodys have never been the same.
How to Infuse Vodka
Taste of Home
Infused vodka is so easy to make, plus it tastes better and costs less than artificially-flavored vodkas you’d get at the store. Here’s a basic guide for how to make it:
Step One: Learn the ratio.
Aim to use equal parts of fruit or vegetables to vodka. Use spices sparingly as the flavor will intensify over time.
Pro tip: This is a great way to use fruit that’s just a little damaged or overripe.
Step Two: Prep it.
Just chop it up, place it in a 1-quart Mason jar, and cover with vodka.
Step Three: Let it be.
Let the jar sit for 1-7 days so that the vodka can soak up all the flavor. The timing all depends on the type of ingredient you use. A good rule of thumb is that softer ingredients need less time to sit.
For example, berries and really-ripe fruits may be ready in 3 days, while harder ingredients like pineapple and pears, may take up to 7 or more. Be cautious when adding hot peppers. The flavor and heat are extracted very quickly—sometimes 3 hours is all you’ll need.
Step Four: Enjoy responsibly.
Strain the vodka and use in your favorite cocktail recipes. Savory flavors like pepper, bacon, and pickle work wonders in a Bloody Mary.
Make it Your Own
When it comes to infusing liquor, vodka will give you the cleanest flavor—but you can also infuse other alcohols like rum, whiskey and brandy. Experiment with your own flavor combinations. Here are a few of my favorites to help get you started.
- Wild Blueberry & Lime: combine 2 cups fresh or frozen wild Maine Blueberries and the peel of 2 limes; cover with 2 cups vodka.
- Ginger & Peach: combine 2 cups chopped fresh peaches, 1-inch of fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced; cover with 2 cups whiskey or vodka.
- Strawberry & Mint: combine 2 cups chopped fresh strawberries, 2-3 sprigs of fresh mint; cover with 2 cups vodka.
- Raspberry & Basil: combine 2 cups of fresh or frozen raspberries and 2 sprigs fresh basil; cover with 2 cups vodka.
- Pineapple & Star Anise: combine 2 cups chopped fresh pineapple and 1 star anise; cover with 2 cups rum or vodka.
- Blackberry & Clove: combine 2 cups blackberries and 1 teaspoon whole cloves; cover with brandy or vodka.
- Jalapeno & Lime: combine 1-2 seeded and chopped jalapenos and 2 limes cut into wedges; cover with clear tequila or vodka.
- Apricot & Cinnamon: combine 2 cups chopped apricots and 1 cinnamon stick; cover with whiskey or vodka.
- Cherry & Orange: combine 2 cups chopped cherries and the peel of 1 large orange; cover with brandy or vodka.
- Apple & Cardamom: combine 2 cups chopped unpeeled apples and 3 whole cardamom pods; cover with brandy, whiskey or vodka.
Strawberry Watermelon LemonadeThe nutrition department at my local hospital inspired me to create this refreshing summer sipper. I tweaked their recipe slightly to create this drink full of sweet-tart flavor. —Dawn Lowenstein, Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania
Peach-Basil Lemonade SlushThis chilly slush with peaches, lemon juice and garden-fresh basil is hands-down the best lemonade ever. It tastes just like summer. —Dana Hinck, Pensacola, Florida
Spiked LemonadeRum gives a tropical addition to this fabulous homemade lemonade. If you have vodka on hand, try that instead of the rum. —Susan Hein, Burlington, Wisconsin. Looking for more? here's our collection of the best
spiked lemonade drinks for summer.
Rhubarb Lemonade SlushMy family loves rhubarb, and this is such a fun way to enjoy it. It's nice to have in the freezer and bring out when guests drop by. Even people that aren't crazy about rhubarb enjoy it. —Cathie Beard, Philomath, Oregon
Blackberry Beer CocktailThis refreshing hard lemonade has a mild alcohol flavor; the beer adds just enough fizz to dance on your tongue as you sip. Sorry, adults only! —Ginger Sullivan, Cutler Bay, Florida
Summertime TeaYou can’t have a summer gathering around here without this sweet tea to cool you down. It’s wonderful for sipping while basking by the pool. —Angela Lively, Baxter, Tennessee
Kentucky LemonadeMint and bourbon give this drink a bit of a Kentucky kick, and ginger ale makes it a fizzy party punch.—Cathy Justus, Taylor, Michigan
Rosemary LemonadeA friend suggested I add a sprig of rosemary to lemonade. The herb makes the drink taste fresh and light, and it's a pretty garnish. —Dixie Graham, Rancho Cucamonga, California
Red and Blue Berry Lemonade SlushThis delightfully sweet-tart beverage showcases fresh raspberries and blueberries. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Orange LemonadeThis juice is a favorite at our place. I'll often double the batch and send a jar next door to my mother-in-law! I was looking for a way to sweeten lemonade without using more sugar when I came up with the recipe. —Wendy Masters, Grand Valley, Ontario
Blackberry LemonadeHere's a special drink that's perfect when blackberries are in season. It has a tangy, refreshing flavor. —Rich Murray, Nevada, Missouri
Aunt Frances' LemonadeMy sister and I spent a week each summer with our Aunt Frances, who always had this thirst-quenching lemonade in a stoneware crock in her refrigerator. It makes a refreshing drink after a hot day of running around. —Debbie Reinhart, New Cumberland, Pennsylvania
Lemonade Iced TeaI have always loved iced tea with lemon, and this delightful thirst quencher just takes it one step further. Lemonade gives the drink a nice color too. I dress up each glass with a slice of lemon on the rim. —Gail Buss, New Bern, North Carolina
Raspberry Lemonade ConcentrateHere's a concentrate that allows you to enjoy a refreshing summer beverage any time of year. Sweet raspberries balance the tartness from lemons. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Sparkling Kiwi LemonadeKeep some kiwi ice cubes in the freezer so they’re ready whenever you crave a tall glass of this dressed-up summertime favorite. —Emily Seidel, Ainsworth, Nebraska
Lemony CoolerEveryone thinks I've gone to a lot of trouble when making this refreshing summer drink, but it's so easy! I also like to make my own pretty ice cubes by adding 1/2 cup lemon juice and a mint sprig to 4 cups water.—Bonnie Hawkins, Elkhorn, Wisconsin
Strawberry Lemonade SmoothieWe love the perfect blend of sweet and citrus in this refreshing smoothie. It's so easy to throw together, I often find myself making one for breakfast or a midday snack. — Jamie King, Duluth, Minnesota
Apricot Lemonade Iced TeaEvery special occasion deserves a refreshing beverage (and a lovely
punch bowl). Our tea has a tangy flavor from lemonade, apricot nectar and mint. —Kay Chon, Sherwood, Arkansas
Red, White and Blue Frozen LemonadeThis patriotic drink is as pretty as it is delicious. With cherries, blueberries and lemon juice, we created a striped lemonade that is perfect for a Fourth of July celebration. —Shawn Carleton, San Diego, California
Grilled Lemon & Thyme LemonadeWe use our grill for most summer dinners, so we thought, "why not grill the lemonade?" The flavor is surprisingly smooth, with just the right amount of honey and herbs. We call it Thyme for Lemonade. —Susan Jordan, Denver, Colorado
Updated: Jul. 12, 2022
