Seattlest: Garbageberry Vodka Infusion

guest

Wed, 29 Aug 2007 05:23:41 -0800

Keep back some in the freezer and add them to your cider. They give a great colour and a really lovely fruit note to the flavour. I've also brewed blackberry wine, which was excellent. The high sugar levels ended up with a drink that was almost port like. --coldclimate.co.uk

pocketlama

Tue, 28 Aug 2007 10:11:23 -0800

Oh yeah! Almost forgot, strain those berries well and crush them in the strainer so you get the most berry juice possible. I've found a great difference doing this!

pocketlama

Tue, 28 Aug 2007 10:10:04 -0800

I've been doing this for a couple of years now and have used both blackberries (picked in my alley foraging around Seattle) and blueberries. I've got a couple of things to add to what you did, based on my experience. First, I use another container for ease of transfer. Old Ball canning jars or really any glass with a wide mouth and a lid works for me. Second, I have not tried doing it with just fresh berries. I was too impatient and had good success cooking the berries (thinking it would break down the skin faster, releasing the berry goodness) with a small amount of sugar. Then I let the mixture cool, add it to the jars and then add the vodka. Thirdly, I buy the cheapest vodka I can for this and then I filter it through my Brita water filter. If I do it three to four times (more doesn't seem to help), it takes the biter taste away quite well. I figure you don't need a nice or even good vodka for this, just an adequate base so I go for cheap. I've found that the longer you let it sit, the better the taste (I've only had the patience for 4 weeks in the fridge though... *grin*). I'm sure there's an outside to that envelope but I haven't found it yet. Thanks for the post!!

guest

Tue, 28 Aug 2007 09:36:46 -0800

May I recommend Vodka infusion step-by-step for more info on DIY Infused Vodka! -J @ Chutzpah!

guest

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 16:39:29 -0800

As a long-time vodka-loving bartender, may I recommend award-winning vodkas Svedka (Sweden) and Vikingfjord (Made from Norway's most important natural resources, Vikings and Fjords). They are priced competitively with Smirnoff (and are cheaper than Smirnoff in other states, where liquor prices aren't government-mandated) but are much smoother (Svedka is 5-times distilled) and cleaner (better filtering as well). I left Smirnoff and Absolut (all marketing hype) years ago, and never looked back. The Scandanavians really know their aquavit! WA Liquor stores seem to all carry Svedka and Vikingfjord in .750s for around $12, and most have Svedka 1.75s for about $29. You'll be glad you made the switch. Also, I think you've just finally convinced me to infuse some myself. I just drank a delicious bottle of Grey Goose Anjou Pear (!) for my bday and I'm thinking I should make some pineapple! Charles doublerebel.com

guest

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 11:00:45 -0800

I once got a jar of moonshine from Tennessee that had a half cup of blackberries in it. Really tasted great, and you have the added fun of having the option of forcing berries upon your friends.