Ingredients
- One whole vanilla bean pod
- 750mL vodka
- Two large, clean bottles or jars
- Cheesecloth or other fine strainer
- Funnel
Instructions
- Slice the vanilla bean pod in half lengthwise.
- In a large, clean bottle or jar, add the prepared vanilla bean pod and vodka.
- After securing the lid, give the vanilla and vodka a firm swirl to mix.
- Store the containers in a cool, dark place for approximately three to four days, continuing to swirl the container each day.
- After the days have passed, sample the vodka by pouring it into a glass. If you want more vanilla flavor, allow it to steep longer.
- Carefully remove the vanilla bean and discard it.
- Funnel the infused vodka into the second clean bottle, filtering with the cheesecloth.
- Carefully seal and store in a cool, dark place.
You can use the newly infused vodka right away, but be sure to store any unused vodka tightly sealed in a cool, dark place for approximately one to two years. However, discard it when the flavor diminishes or tastes "off."
Variations of Vanilla-infused Vodka
Vanilla has beautiful soft, sweet, and smooth notes, but keep pushing the envelope by adding other flavors.
- Create a nutty profile and include half to a full cup of coarsely chopped almonds, nutmeg, shelled pistachios, or walnuts.
- Opt for a fruity flavor by incorporating one to two sliced apples, pears, peaches, two to three whole, sliced lemons, a large whole, sliced orange, a cup of pitted and sliced plums, or a cup of hulled and sliced strawberries.
- Make things a little sweeter by adding a quarter to half cup of honey, or go tropical with a cup of coconut. Go gold with caramel and drop in 10 unwrapped caramel candies, or make it a floral experience by adding two to three whole sprigs of fresh lavender.
- Add a spiced or herbaceous flair with two to three whole cinnamon sticks, a tablespoon of cloves, three to four pods of cardamom, or two to three sprigs of rosemary.
- Make your vanilla vodka buzz by adding one third cup of coarsely chopped coffee beans, or add even more complexity by adding a quarter cup of chopped milk or dark chocolate.
Vanilla-Infused Vodka Cocktails
Take your new and classic cocktails to new levels with a smooth vanilla vodka flavor.
Vanilla Bean Martini
Steer away from a classic martini in favor of a creamier, dessert-style vanilla martini.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces vanilla-infused vodka
- ¾ ounce Irish cream
- ¼ ounce limoncello
- Ice
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vanilla vodka, Irish cream, and limoncello.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
Vanilla Iced Irish Coffee
Skip the bourbon and breeze right past the burnt tongue with this boozy and very much chilled Irish coffee.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vanilla-infused vodka
- ¾ ounce heavy cream
- ½ ounce cinnamon liqueur
- 5 ounces cold brew or chilled coffee
- Ice
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vanilla vodka, heavy cream, cinnamon liqueur, and chilled coffee.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into highball glass over fresh ice.
Cat's Meow
A new age spin on the classic bee's knees, the vanilla vodka plays like a dream with the honey notes.
Ingredients
- 1¾ ounces vanilla-infused vodka
- ¾ ounce honey liqueur
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Ice
- Lemon slice and mint sprig for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vanilla vodka, honey liqueur, and lemon juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with lemon slice and mint sprig.
Vanilla Creamsicle
Beat the heat or dream of summer with a creamsicle in a glass -- and if orange isn't your jam, then go ahead and use pineapple juice.
Instructions
- 2 ounces vanilla-infused vodka
- 3 ounces orange juice
- ¼ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Ice
- Orange slice and mint sprig for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vanilla vodka, orange juice, and lemon juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with orange slice and mint sprig.
Mixers for Vanilla Vodka Drinks
Skip your trip to the grocery store for cocktail ingredients by stirring up a drink with just a mixer or two.
- Lemonade
- Plain club soda
- Flavored club soda, such as lemon, coconut, berry, or peach
- Lemon-lime soda
- Orange soda
- Apple cider
- Orange juice
- Lemon juice
- Peach nectar
- Honey
- Almond liqueur
- Orange liqueur
- Coffee
- Coconut water
- Elderflower liqueur
- Watermelon juice
- Tea
- Whiskey
- Champagne or prosecco
- Rum
- Simple syrup
Smooth Vanilla-infused Vodka for Dreamy Cocktails
Nothing marries together flavors like smooth and soft vanilla. Its dreamy flavors take any ingredients to a whole new level, and some even become a liquid dessert. Why deny yourself so much delight? There are a lot of vanilla vodka drinks you can try one-by-one.
