The Best Infused Vodka Recipes

 

Because brunch deserves more than plain vodka.

We all love a good Bloody Mary. But here's the truth: plain vodka is kind of boring. Sure, it gets the job done, but the magic of a Bloody is in the flavor. That's where infused vodkas come in. With just a few pantry staples, some fresh produce, and a little patience, you can turn a basic bottle of vodka into a flavor-punching brunch ritual.

Infused Vodka Basics

Before we dive into recipes, here are the fundamentals:

Choose your vodka. Use a neutral, mid-tier bottle. Don't waste top-shelf vodka on infusions since the added flavors will dominate anyway. Smirnoff, Tito's, and Svedka all work great.

Use clean containers. Mason jars are ideal. Glass only. Make sure everything is clean and dry before starting.

Time varies. Different ingredients infuse at different rates. Peppers take 1-2 days. Vegetables take 3-5 days. Fruits take 5-7 days. Taste as you go.

Strain completely. Once the flavor is right, strain through cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer. Remove all solids.

Store cold. Refrigerate after straining. Infused vodka with fresh produce lasts 1-2 months refrigerated.

The Science of Infusion

Here's the nerdy (but useful) bit: vodka is essentially a neutral solvent. Alcohol extracts oils and aromatic compounds from herbs, spices, fruits, and vegetables.

Think of it as kitchen chemistry: you're the brunch scientist, and your mason jar is the lab.

Pro tips from bartenders:

Always use fresh ingredients. Dried spices work but fresh produces brighter, cleaner flavor.

Start with less than you think you need. You can always add more, but you can't undo an overpowered infusion.

Taste daily. Pull the infusion when the flavor is where you want it, not when the recipe says.

Keep notes. Write down what worked (and what didn't) so you can replicate your best batches.

Celery Infused Vodka

Flavor Profile: Vegetal, earthy, savory.

Why It Works: Celery is a core Bloody Mary flavor. Building it into the vodka creates depth from the base up.

Ingredients:

• 750ml vodka
• 4 celery stalks, cleaned and chopped
• 1 tablespoon celery seeds

Method:

1. Add celery and seeds to a clean jar
2. Pour vodka over ingredients
3. Seal and store in a cool, dark place
4. Shake daily for 3-5 days
5. Strain through cheesecloth and refrigerate

What Not To Do: Don't leave celery leaves in too long. They turn bitter fast. Stick with stalks and seeds for clean flavor.

Pickle Infused Vodka

Flavor Profile: Savory, briny, garlicky.

Why It Works: Because pickle people know. Pickle juice makes everything better.

Ingredients:

• 750ml vodka
• 4-6 whole dill pickles, sliced
• 1/2 cup pickle brine
• 2-4 garlic cloves, smashed
• Fresh dill sprigs

Method:

1. Combine all ingredients in a jar
2. Seal and refrigerate
3. Infuse 3-5 days, shaking daily
4. Strain and store refrigerated

What Not To Do: Too much garlic equals sulfur bomb. Keep it to 2-4 cloves max and taste at 48 hours.

Pro Tip: Use this in a Bloody Caesar for extra briny goodness.

Jalapeño Infused Vodka

Flavor Profile: Spicy, vegetal, sharp.

Why It Works: Heat is a Bloody Mary's love language.

Ingredients:

• 750ml vodka
• 3-4 fresh jalapeños, sliced (seeds removed for milder heat)
• Optional: 1 serrano for extra kick

Method:

1. Add sliced peppers to jar
2. Pour vodka over peppers
3. Infuse 24-48 hours maximum
4. Taste frequently
5. Strain immediately when heat level is right

What Not To Do: Don't leave peppers sitting more than 2 days. Capsaicin extracts fast and can overpower everything. Strain early for balanced heat.

Best Served With: Use with Stu's Smoked Jalapeño Concentrate for layered heat.

Horseradish Infused Vodka

Flavor Profile: Sharp, sinus-clearing, classic.

Why It Works: Horseradish belongs in every Bloody Mary. This builds it into the base.

Ingredients:

• 750ml vodka
• 4-6 inches fresh horseradish root, peeled and sliced
• Optional: 1 teaspoon black peppercorns

Method:

1. Add horseradish (and peppercorns if using) to jar
2. Pour vodka over ingredients
3. Infuse 2-4 days, tasting daily
4. Strain when heat is pleasantly sharp

What Not To Do: Don't use bottled horseradish. It's usually pickled and cloudy. Fresh root only for clean heat.

Pro Tip: Perfect for purists who want a Bloody that slaps back. Pair with Stu's Classic Concentrate for full effect.

Roasted Tomato Infused Vodka

Flavor Profile: Sweet, savory, garden-fresh.

Why It Works: Tomatoes are the heart of a Bloody. Roasting deepens the flavor.

Ingredients:

• 750ml vodka
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, roasted
• 2 garlic cloves, roasted
• Fresh basil leaves

Method:

1. Roast tomatoes and garlic at 400°F until caramelized (20-25 minutes)
2. Cool completely
3. Add to jar with basil and vodka
4. Infuse 5-7 days
5. Strain thoroughly

What Not To Do: Don't skip roasting. Raw tomatoes break down and spoil fast in vodka. Roasting concentrates flavor and kills surface bacteria.

Pairing: Garnish your Bloody with a mozzarella stick or caprese skewer.

Citrus Infused Vodka

Flavor Profile: Bright, refreshing, zesty.

Why It Works: Cuts through heavy brunch food, pairs beautifully with seafood.

Ingredients:

• 750ml vodka
• Zest of 2 lemons
• Zest of 2 limes
• Zest of 1 orange

Method:

1. Use a vegetable peeler to remove zest (no white pith)
2. Add zest strips to jar with vodka
3. Infuse 3-5 days
4. Strain and store

What Not To Do: Avoid the pith (white part). It turns the vodka bitter and soapy. Use only the colorful zest.

Best Served With: Oyster Bloody Mary or shrimp garnish.

Cucumber Mint Infused Vodka

Flavor Profile: Crisp, cooling, spa-like.

Why It Works: Refreshing, light, perfect for summer brunch.

Ingredients:

• 750ml vodka
• 1 English cucumber, sliced
• 1 small bunch fresh mint

Method:

1. Add cucumber and mint to jar
2. Pour vodka over ingredients
3. Infuse mint for 24 hours only, then remove
4. Continue cucumber infusion 3-4 more days
5. Strain and refrigerate

What Not To Do: Don't leave herbs in too long. They turn grassy. Pull herbs at 24 hours, let cucumber keep going.

Best Served With: Garnish with cucumber ribbon and dill sprig. Perfect for a Virgin Mary if you skip the vodka altogether.

Cilantro Lime Jalapeño Infused Vodka

Flavor Profile: Herbal, spicy, Mexican-inspired.

Why It Works: For when you want tequila vibes without ditching vodka.

Ingredients:

• 750ml vodka
• 2 jalapeños, sliced
• Zest and juice of 2 limes
• 1/2 bunch fresh cilantro

Method:

1. Add all ingredients to jar
2. Infuse 24-48 hours
3. Taste for heat level
4. Strain when balanced

What Not To Do: Don't add too much cilantro. More than a handful gets soapy. Keep it fresh, light, and balanced.

Pairing: Pair with nachos, breakfast tacos, or huevos rancheros. Works great in a Michelada variation.

FAQ

How long does infused vodka last?

Strained and refrigerated, 1-2 months. The alcohol preserves the infusion, but fresh produce flavors do fade over time. Make smaller batches if you won't use it quickly.

Can I use flavored vodka instead?

You can, but homemade infusion is fresher and cleaner. Commercial flavored vodkas often have artificial additives and excessive sweetness. Making your own gives you complete control.

Do you refrigerate infused vodka?

Yes, especially with fresh produce infusions. The cold slows any bacterial growth and keeps flavors bright longer.

What's the best vodka for infusion?

Neutral, mid-tier. Tito's, Smirnoff, Svedka, and Ketel One all work well. Don't waste expensive vodka since the infusion flavors will dominate anyway.

Can I combine multiple infusions?

Absolutely. Try starting with a base infusion (like celery) and adding a second element (like jalapeño) partway through. Just be careful not to overpower the vodka with too many competing flavors.

The Ritual of Homemade

Bloody Marys are more than a drink. They're a ritual. Whether you're all about spice, pickle punch, or a cucumber-cool twist, infused vodka lets you make the drink your own.

Pair any of these infusions with Stu's Bloody Mary Concentrates and you've got a brunch experience that's uniquely yours. The concentrate handles the complex seasoning, the infused vodka adds your personal signature, and your guests get a drink they can't find anywhere else.

For more on choosing the right vodka, see our guide to the best vodka for Bloody Mary.

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