Citrus infused vodka or tequila - learn how to make

Follow our easy guide to use citrus fruits such as Lime, Lemon, Key Lime, Orange and Grapefruit and infuse with vodka or tequila. These are great DIY gifts for the holiday period or form a base for your cocktails. You will need:

Ingredients

1. 750ml vodka or tequila
2. 2 to 3 whole organic Citrus fruit of your choice
3. 1 large clean bottle or jar
4. Cheesecloth or strainer

Instructions

1. Wash the fruit thoroughly.
2. Cut the fruit into quarters or slices (depending on the size of the fruit). Remove the white part ( pith) to avoid any bitterness.
3. Put the citrus pieces and vodka/tequila in the large bottle or jar.
4. Close the jar tightly. Shake the jar gently a couple of times.
5. Place the jar in a cool, dark place.
6. Allow the mixture to infuse for three to five days, shaking or stirring it occasionally to help distribute the flavours.
7. Test for flavour after one week. You can keep the jar until the drink has developed the flavour depth as you would like.
8. Once the required flavour is attained, remove the citrus pieces and compost them.
9. Strain the infusion to remove any particle.
10. Enjoy the infusion straight away or store in a tightly sealed container in a cool and dark place.
11. You can keep the infusion for up to 1 year (3 months if unstrained)

Variations

1. You could do a mix of citrus fruits.
2. You could add sliced strawberries, blackberries, 3. raspberries, blueberries and cranberries to enhance the flavours.
3. You could add more fruits such as apple, pear, watermelon slices.
4. You could add honey, maple syrup or brown sugar to bring a sweeter version of the drink
5. If you like a spicy kick, you could add some cardamom pods, cloves or cinnamon sticks.
6. Peeled and sliced ginger can add a nice addition to the mix.
7. Candy flavoured infusion: Add your choice of candy into the jar as a substitute or to compliment the fruit slices. You can choose a single candy or a mix of candies, you can vary the amount and colour according to your taste.

Usage

1. Refreshing drink: mix 1-2 shots of your infused drink with a glass of soda water or tonic water and enjoy a refreshing drink.
2. Cocktail: the infused drink can be used as a base for numerous cocktail recipes. Experiment with different mixers and garnishes. Follow this guide to making 18 different infused vodka cocktails for inspiration.
3. Baking: the infused drink can be used for added flavouring for cakes and desserts. It helps to keep the dough tender making it easier to roll. It can also be used to give your pastry a lovely shine and make the pastry dough fluffier. Couple of tablespoons added to the cake batter can make the cake denser and keep it from drying out. It can also be added as a soaking agent if you are planning on making tiramisu.
4. Cooking: the infused mix goes well in pasta sauces or cheesy risotto. They can also be used as a seafood marinade. If cooking for family and children are involved, then let the dish simmer for longer allowing the alcohol to evaporate and reduce the alcohol impact of the dish.