Homemade infused vodka makes a great hostess gift…or for that person that just loves unique drinks. I have one of those people in my family–the same one with expensive frappacino tastes. (

Here’s another project I had to keep off my blog until after Christmas. It’s hard sharing handmade gifts with you when the recipient reads your blog!

)

While I could very well head to the local party store and pick up a bottle of almost any flavor there is, everyone knows it tastes better when you make it yourself!

This is actually a recipe we used when I was in college. I don’t recall seeing the flavored vodkas on the shelves back then…or they may just have been on a shelf further up than I could afford. Making Cranberry Vanilla Infused Vodka is super simple–almost as simple as infusing vodka with vanilla beans–homemade vanilla extract.

How to make Cranberry Vanilla Infused Vodka:

Chop 1 pound of fresh cranberries.

In pan on medium heat, add the cranberries, 1 cup sugar, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract or 1 split vanilla bean. Heat until sugar is melted and it begins to boil (about 3-4 minutes).

Pour the cranberry mixture into a large jar. I used a 1/2 gallon pickle jar.

Pour a fifth (750 mL) of vodka over top. Any brand/type of vodka will work. My rule of thumb–if you wouldn’t drink it in your drink, don’t infuse it!

Stir and cover. Set aside in the pantry.

It is such a beautiful shade of red with bits of vanilla floating around.

Give it a swirl every day for a week. I do sometimes leave it for 2 weeks, depending on my time limits.

When I opened the jar after 1 week, I was amazed that it smelled “smooth”, much smoother than the vodka when I poured it in. I’m afraid I won’t be giving the full bottle, I will have to sample first…it just smells good!

First I strained it through a mesh strainer.

I stirred it up and pressed it through to get all the liquid.

I’m reserving the cranberry vanilla “mash” for further experimenting. Isn’t that a beautiful shade of red? Into the freezer it goes!

Then I tried straining through a coffee filter. Absurdly s.l.o.w. Like drip…drip…drip. (Something to do with not being able to wait…) I wish I had a milk filter. I think coffee filters are for hot liquids, not cold.

So, onto several layers of a flour sack towel.

There’s a steady flow, now we’re in business.

This is just beautiful. Such an amazing red. Much nicer than I see in the stores. See? Homemade is better.

Even a natural tie-dyed towel!

Since I am gifting this and the vodka came in a plastic bottle, I’m recycling. I cleaned an empty rum bottle well and removed all the stickers. With my handydandy PhotoShop (I love PhotoShop!), I created my own label.


Funnel into your bottle. I don’t have to steal out of the bottle! There is plenty for a drink or two for me Store in the refrigerator.

With a little raffia, it’s ready to gift.

And with a little orange juice, a Cranberry Tart is ready to drink.

Cheers!

Here's the full recipe and printable!

Cranberry Vanilla Vodka

Prep Time:

20 min + 1 week infusing

Cook Time:

5 min

Yield:

1 fifth + a little

Ingredients

• 1 pound fresh cranberries
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 vanilla bean, split (or 2 tsp vanilla extract)
• 750 mL vodka

Preparation Instructions

1. Chop cranberries.
2. In pan on medium heat, add the cranberries, sugar, and vanilla extract or split vanilla bean. Heat until sugar is melted and it begins to boil (about 3-4 minutes).
3. Pour the cranberry mixture into a large jar.
4. Pour vodka over top. Stir and cover. Set aside in the pantry.
5. Give it a swirl every day for a week. I do sometimes leave it for 2 weeks, depending on my time limits.
6. After it's infused, strain through cheesecloth, then a coffee filter.
7. Store in the refrigerator.

See all my Cooking Recipes!