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A Nerd Cooks » Cocktails » Infused Alcohols

Basil Infused Vodka

Jun 14, 2018 · Modified: Jun 6, 2021 by Lauren Pacek · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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This Basil Infused Vodka just screams "Summertime"!

This Basil Infused Vodka is extremely easy to make and tastes and smells great. Plus, it makes an excellent addition to summery cocktails.

Basil, to me, represents summertime. I can't taste or smell basil without thinking about summer. Every year, I make sure to grow lots of it. Even when I only had a 4x4 foot front stoop to work with, I made sure to have 3 plants growing in a container. This (over)abundance of basil is great, because I do a lot with it. And now I'm even incorporating it into my cocktails.

Need more infused alcohols? Try my Rosemary Infused Vodka or Sous Vide Limoncello! Cherry Vodka and Raspberry Vodka are delicious, beautiful options, too!

Basil Infused Vodka | A Nerd Cooks
Jump to:
  • 🌟 Why You'll Love This Recipe
  • 💭 What is Basil Infused Vodka?
  • 📝 Ingredients
  • 👩🏻‍🍳 How to make Basil Infused Vodka
  • 🛠️ How to use Basil Infused Vodka
  • ❓ Recipe FAQs
  • 🔗 More recipes for infused alcohols
  • ✨ Recipe

🌟 Why You'll Love This Recipe

It only needs two ingredients. Two! That's it!
It's easy to make. This recipe is almost entirely hands-off.
You can use it in delicious cocktails. How could that be a bad thing?

💭 What is Basil Infused Vodka?

Basil Infused Vodka is simply vodka that has been infused with the flavor, aroma, and color of fresh basil.

📝 Ingredients

  • Basil: Lots of fresh basil!
  • Vodka: Use a middle-of-the-road quality plain vodka for this recipe. No need to get into the top shelf stuff.
Basil-Infused Vodka | A Nerd Cooks

👩🏻‍🍳 How to make Basil Infused Vodka

The process for making an infused vodka couldn't be simpler. Grab a large bunch of fresh basil, stick the leaves in a mason jar (or other seal-able container), fill with plain vodka, seal the container, and walk away.

You'll want to let the container sit in a cool, dark place for up to 3 days. Feel free to taste it along the way to see if it's where you want it to be, flavor-wise.

Whenever it's where you want it to be in terms of flavor, or after 3 days, strain the basil leaves out and pour the infused vodka back into the Mason jar. Easy peasy.

Check out my Rosemary Infused Vodka, too!

Basil-Infused Vodka | A Nerd Cooks

🛠️ How to use Basil Infused Vodka

You can use this infused vodka in any cocktail that your little heart desires. But I definitely recommend using it in my Basil Vodka Gimlet!

❓ Recipe FAQs

What kind of vodka should I use?

Use a plain vodka that's moderate in quality. Nothing too top shelf, but also don't use well vodka.

Do I need to use fresh basil?

Yes! The herbs have to be fresh for this recipe.

What should I do with this vodka?

Make my Basil Vodka Gimlet, for starters!

🔗 More recipes for infused alcohols

  • strawberry vodka in a nick and nora glass.
    Strawberry Vodka
  • a coupe glass with raspberry vodka.
    Raspberry Vodka
  • cherry vodka in a coupe glass.
    Cherry Vodka
  • a mason jar filled with silver tequila and sliced jalapeños
    Jalapeño Tequila

I'd love to know what you thought of this recipe! Don't forget to leave a comment and ⭐️ star rating below!

✨ Recipe

Basil-Infused Vodka | A Nerd Cooks

Basil-Infused Vodka

Lauren Pacek
This Basil Infused Vodka is extremely easy to make and tastes and smells great. Plus, it makes an excellent addition to summery cocktails.
5 from 4 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 3 days d
Cook Time 0 minutes mins
Inactive Time 0 minutes mins
Total Time 3 days d
Course Cocktails
Cuisine American
Servings 3 cups
Calories 151 kcal

Equipment

  • mason jar
  • Fine mesh strainer

Ingredients
  

  • 1 bunch basil fresh (see notes)
  • 3.5 cups plain vodka

Instructions
 

  • Place the basil leaves in a whatever container you want to use to make the infused vodka (see notes).
  • Pour the vodka over the basil until the container is full. 
  • Seal the container and place it in a cool, dark location for up to 3 days. Strain the vodka through a sieve, discarding the basil. Pour the infused vodka back into the container in which it was infused (or the container of your choice).

Notes

  • You want to use a large bunch of basil
  • A quart mason jar holds 3.5 cups of liquid
  • You want to use a middle-of-the-road vodka. You don't want to use something too high end (leave the Belvedere out of this), but you also don't want to use like... Popov. Go with something like Smirnoff.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 151kcalSodium: 1mg

Disclaimer: Nutritional information is a generated estimate and is not guaranteed to be accurate.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

More Easy Infused Alcohols

  • a glass dish with tall sides is filled with ice and has 4 shot glasses filled with limoncello; a hand is reaching in from the left and holds another shot glass with limoncello
    Sous Vide Limoncello
  • Rosemary Infused Vodka | A Nerd Cooks
    Rosemary Infused Vodka

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Comments

    5 from 4 votes

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Kat

    October 09, 2022 at 4:37 pm

    I added 4 peeled and sliced peaches which added a sweet, floral accent. Yum!

    Reply
    • laurenpacek

      October 09, 2022 at 11:46 pm

      That sounds like a really lovely addition. Cheers!

      Reply
  2. Shradha

    September 15, 2020 at 1:46 pm

    How long can i store this basil
    Infused vodka ?

    Reply
    • laurenpacek

      September 15, 2020 at 2:26 pm

      Hi, Shradha! You know, I can't say what the upper time limit is for certain, but I've kept some in my pantry for >6 months, continued to consume it, and have had no ill effects. I'd just say that if it's been a while, take a look at it. Is it still clear (well, the liquid will be a golden color, but it should be see-through), or is it cloudy? Toss if you can't see through it anymore. Also, do the sniff test. Happy sipping!

      Reply
  3. Valerie Fisher

    August 11, 2020 at 5:52 pm

    Mine turned black! How do I prevent this from happening?

    Reply
    • laurenpacek

      August 11, 2020 at 6:12 pm

      Oh no! Like, *black* black? I should update the post to include an after photo... But, mine turns kind of a golden color. Out of curiosity, how long did you leave the basil in the jar? How does it smell?

      Reply
      • Lesley

        January 02, 2021 at 6:32 pm

        I did a similar thing with sage and thyme (two separate containers), and had a similar result: after a dayr or so, the herbs turned black at the tips where they were not completely submerged. I think it has to do with the air exposure. Do you completely submerge your basil?

        Reply
  4. Claire | Sprinkles and Sprouts

    June 18, 2018 at 11:53 am

    5 stars
    OMG!!!!
    I am literally giddy about this recipe!!
    Fresh basil is my favourite smell in the whole world.
    I am going to be making batch of this at the weekend!

    Reply
  5. Claire | Sprinkles and Sprouts

    June 18, 2018 at 11:53 am

    5 stars
    OMG!!!!
    I am literally giddy about this recipe!!
    Fresh basil is my favourite smell in the whole world.
    I am going to be making batch of this at the weekend!

    Reply
    • laurenpacek

      June 22, 2018 at 7:32 pm

      It's one of my favorite smells, too!! I even tried to have basil put into my wedding bouquet, but somehow the florist ended up talking me out of it. I hope you make all kinds of delicious cocktails with it!

      Reply
  6. Anne|CraavingSomethingHealthy

    June 17, 2018 at 7:25 pm

    SOLD! This is the most genius idea I've seen (maybe ever!). I'm so over making pesto out of my overgrown basil plants, but this, I will be trying 🙂 Thanks

    Reply
    • laurenpacek

      June 22, 2018 at 7:32 pm

      Yessss it's a great alternative to pesto, I must say =)

      Reply
  7. Kitty

    June 17, 2018 at 3:45 am

    5 stars
    OMG this! So much this! So hoping that my basil plants thrive this year!

    Reply
  8. Kitty

    June 17, 2018 at 3:45 am

    5 stars
    OMG this! So much this! So hoping that my basil plants thrive this year!

    Reply
    • laurenpacek

      June 22, 2018 at 7:32 pm

      I hope that they thrive, too! <3

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Lauren! I'm the recipe developer, photographer, and writer here at A Nerd Cooks. I'm a 30-something wife, mom, and scientist with a passion for mixing cocktails, brewing buzzy coffee drinks, and making other delicious beverages at home.

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