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Spiced Vodka
Ingredients:
- 1 whole vanilla pod (bean)
- 500 ml (17 oz) good vodka
- pinch of cardamom pods
- 4-5 cloves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- palm-size piece of orange peel (100% pith free)
- 1 liquorice root stick
- thumb-sized piece of peeled ginger
Method:
Cut the vanilla pod lengthways before adding to the vodka and gently crush the cardamom pods – they’ll split open so the seeds can fall out. The cloves and cinnamon lend a warming, exotic note and the orange peel aroma is particularly uplifting (although use sparingly as its flavour is notoriously bitter. Make sure you’ve trimmed away all the white pith). The liquorice root should add a little sweetness, while the fresh ginger adds a fresh, verdant zing. Steep the ingredients in the vodka in a sterilised bottle (or use the vodka bottle itself, pouring out a little before infusing to make room for the ingredients). Leave in a dark, cool place for at least 2 days – or longer if you want a stronger taste. Strain the ingredients from the liquid and serve.
Ginger Vodka
Ingredients:
- thumb-sized piece of peeled ginger
- juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1 tbsp dark muscovado sugar
- 500 ml (17 oz) good vodka
Method:
Steep the ingredients in the vodka and leave for at least 3 days in a cool, dark place straining and refrigerating. Serve when it takes your fancy.
Honey Pepper Vodka
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp runny honey
- 500 ml (17 oz) good vodka
Method:
Steep the ingredients in the vodka in a dark, cool place for at least 2 days – or longer if you want a stronger taste. Strain the ingredients from the liquid if you fancy, or leave in for a peppery look.
Star Anise Vodka
Ingredients:
- 1-2 star anise pods
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 tbsp light brown sugar
- 500 ml (17 oz) good vodka
Method:
Steep the ingredients in the vodka for at least 3 days in a cool, dark place before straining and serving. before straining and serving.
Bay Leaf Vodka
Ingredients:
- 2-3 fresh (not dried) bay leaves
- 500 ml (17 oz) good vodka
Method:
Steep the bay leaves in the vodka and let it steep for at least 3 days in a cool, dark place before straining and serving.
Cinnamon Coffee Vodka
Ingredients:
- 500 ml (17 oz) good vodka
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 shots of fresh espresso, cooled
- 1 tbsp dark muscovado sugar
Method:
Steep the ingredients in the vodka in a dark, cool place for 2 days – or longer if you want a stronger taste. Perfect for Espresso Martinis or as a sweet sipper.
Also from Vodka:
Recipes excerpted with permission from Vodka: Shake, Muddle, Stir by Dan Jones, published by Hardie Grant Books, October 2019, RRP $16.00 hardcover.
