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.
Fresh basil = summer
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.
For instance, I put it in my summer salads. See my Strawberry Balsamic Salad or Strawberry Caprese Salad for a couple of examples. Seriously, if you haven't tried herbs mixed in with your salad greens, you're missing out!
It's also great on top of baked or grilled margarita pizza (check out my Thin Crust Pizza Dough), as well as in rustic, fresh tomato sauces.
And now I'm even incorporating it into my cocktails.
Making infused vodka is laughably easy
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!
What should I do with this infused vodka?
I'm glad that you asked. I would highly recommend that you check out and make the following drinks:
- The Basil Vodka Gimlet is boozy summertime in a glass.
- AND let's not forget about my Strawberry Basil Vodka Collins. 10/10.
What equipment should I have on hand?
- A quart mason jar
- Fine mesh strainer for removing basil
- And that's basically it!
✨ Recipe
Basil-Infused Vodka
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
Disclaimer: Nutritional information is a generated estimate and is not guaranteed to be accurate.
Looking for other delicious cocktails?
- Make sure to also check out my Rosemary Infused Vodka! It's great in mixed drinks, too, and the rosemary flavor makes it seasonally appropriate pretty much year-round.
- The Palace Cafe Cocktail makes good use of rosemary infused vodka.
- Don't forget about this Grapefruit Rosemary Gimlet, either.
Looking for other infused alcohols?
I have more of those!
Pin this recipe for later!
Kitty
OMG this! So much this! So hoping that my basil plants thrive this year!
laurenpacek
I hope that they thrive, too! <3
Kitty
OMG this! So much this! So hoping that my basil plants thrive this year!
Anne|CraavingSomethingHealthy
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
laurenpacek
Yessss it's a great alternative to pesto, I must say =)
Claire | Sprinkles and Sprouts
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!
laurenpacek
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!
Claire | Sprinkles and Sprouts
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!
Valerie Fisher
Mine turned black! How do I prevent this from happening?
laurenpacek
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?
Lesley
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?
Shradha
How long can i store this basil
Infused vodka ?
laurenpacek
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!
Kat
I added 4 peeled and sliced peaches which added a sweet, floral accent. Yum!
laurenpacek
That sounds like a really lovely addition. Cheers!