These fruit & herb infused liquors are a fun way to use all that ripe and luscious summer fruit. I have three delicious flavors for you: strawberry basil gin, apricot ginger vodka and strawberry lime tequila!
You might also like this mojito infused vodka recipe!
Back in the day…way back in the day, my friends and I would go to a bar called Froggy’s for happy hour every Friday night. When summer hit they always had these big containers full of fruit infused vodkas. I remember them having raspberry, strawberry and pineapple. Like I said that was a really long time ago, but when I think of summer time and picnics and parties I think about those fruit infused vodkas.
Last summer I made a raspberry one that I liked so this year I thought I’d do a little mad scientist experimenting. My husband thought I was nuts until he tasted these fruit & herb infused liquors and now he’s quite impressed!
I thought I’d try 3 different variations: Strawberry Basil Gin, Strawberry Lime Tequila and Apricot Ginger Vodka. It’s hard to say which is my favorite because they all taste so different and to me they all came out quite good but if pushed I would say the Strawberry Lime Tequila is my favorite.
What Type Of Liquor To Use
One note before we get started. It’s best to use a halfway decent brand of liquor. No bottom shelf and if you don’t mind the cost, go top shell but I’m cheap and just used a middle of the road brand for all 3 infusions.
Strawberry Basil Infused Gin
Pictured above is the Strawberry Basil Gin infusion. I’m not a big gin fan but I thought it would go well with some type of herb. Since I just made my Strawberry Caprese Salad I had lots of basil and strawberries leftover and thought they would go nicely. This particular infusion came out so much better than I thought. The basil has a bit of an anise flavor that goes really well with the gin. And the strawberries add a sweet fruity note. Even if you are not a gin fan, I would suggest you try this if you like anise flavor because it has a really unusual and tasty flavor.
Apricot Ginger Infused Vodka
Pictured above is the Apricot Ginger Vodka. This was very good and it has encouraged me to try some more dried fruits. I once had a peach ginger tea that I loved and that inspired this concoction. I just sliced up some fresh ginger root and threw in some dried apricots and topped off with a half decent vodka. Easy peasy and tasty! I think next time I might also grate some of the ginger because I really like it and wouldn’t mind if it was super gingery. The apricots add a bit of sweetness. My husband ate them when I was done with this one. (He’s a big apricot fan.)
Strawberry Lime Infused Tequila
And now we come to my favorite Strawberry Lime Tequila. This tastes like a strong margarita to me. I peeled a lime and added the peel to the jar along with the sliced lime and sliced strawberries. Poured my tequila to cover the fruit and let sit for 1 week. I think the peel gave it much more lime flavor whichI really liked.
Fruit & Herb Infused Liquors Recipe
- In each recipe I used about a ⅓ to ½ jar of fruits, herbs or spices.
- Then I topped them with a middle shelf alcohol.
- Let them sit in a dark dry area of your house.
- Taste along the way to see if they are done. I liked them after a week but you can use them in less or more time.
- After they are done, strain and refrigerate.
How To Use These Infused Liquors
Drink Suggestions: I usually like my drinks on the rocks or with soda. I don’t like the extra sugar of mixers and juices but I’m sure many of you don’t mind them. Here are my suggestions and I would LOVE to hear yours in the comments.
- Strawberry Lime Tequila: I would make a margharita with this as the base. All you would really need is triple sec and possibly a simple syrup.
- Apricot Ginger Vodka: Gingerale and ginger beer would be tasty as a mixer. I think tonic water would also be nice.
- Strawberry Basil Gin: Tonic water would definitely be a great addition. This is an herby tasting drink that I find very interesting. I don’t think any kind of juice would do it any favors so I would sip it on the rocks, with soda or tonic water for the best flavor.
Update: Since this summer or infusion experimenting my hubby gave me this cool VodkaZinger device. It’s like a thermos you can put fruit, herbs and spices and infuse your vodka with. It has a built in strainer and will crush the ingredients to extract more flavor. It’s pretty cool because you can take it to parties or picnics.
Infused Liquors
Ingredients
- Strawberry Lime Tequila
- 1 quart size glass jar
- 1 cup sliced strawberries
- 1 lime peel
- 1 lime sliced
- ½ bottle tequila
- Strawberry Basil Gin
- 1 quart size glass jar
- 1 cup sliced strawberries
- ½ cup chopped basil tightly packed
- ½ bottle gin
- Apricot Ginger Vodka
- 1 quart size glass jar
- ½ cup sliced ginger slices
- 1 cup dried apricots
- ½ bottle of vodka
Instructions
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For each infusion make sure your jars are clean and dry.
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Add your fruit, herbs or spices and the cover with alcohol.
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Cover and set in a cool dry place.
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Test after a few days to see if desired taste. Mine took a week but yours could take less or more time depending on your taste.
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Strain and store in a glass bottle or jar.
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Refrigerate.
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Chay says
How long do these last in the fridge after infused?
Denise says
Hi Chay, if you keep the fruit in them I would use them in a couple weeks. If you take out the fruit I think they will last for months as long as they are in the fridge.
Here is an article from The Kitchn if you are interested. They say, “Yes! The alcohol prevents any mold or other bacteria from growing on the fruit. Once strained, the vodka can be kept for years.” https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-fruit-vodkas-194066
Hope that helps!
Christina Poel says
I’ll have to try some of these, they sound delicious! I love to infuse gin with pineapple and rosemary, omg it is SOOOOOOOO GOOD!!! But I’m trying to go keto and just wondering if you have any idea if infusions made with fruit take on any carbs??? Also, did you know that if you have a sous vide immersion circulator, you can drop your jars in 155° water and your infusions will be ready to drink in a few hours! That’s how I make mine.
Denise says
Hi Christina,
My husband has been wanting to buy me a sous vide immersion but I’m not sure what I would use it with.I honestly don’t know much about them but now you are giving me a reason to say yes! As far as fruit and carbs, berries are rather low in carbs…strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. That would be about all that I can think of. Most clear alcohols don’t have any carbs. Hope that helps and thanks for the suggestions!
Debbie says
LOVE this! Never tried anything like this before!
Joyce says
I love gin so this is totally right up my alley! Especially during the hot summer time when I can pre-make a huge container of this! 😀 Yay for your recipe idea! 😀
Denise says
Yes and they are lots of fun to experiment with!
Patty @pattysaveurs.com says
Oh I love to make my own liquors, love your recipes, not a great gin fan either but it’s tempting infused in this way, thanks for the recipe, pinned it!
Denise says
Hi Patty, the strawberry and basil really mask that medicinal taste of gin.
Dannii says
If it has fruit and herbs in it, then it must be healthy haha. I am loving all the flavours going on in these.
Denise says
Yes healthy! Ok maybe a little bit healthier? 😉
Edyta @ Innocent Delight says
This is a really great idea. I have never tasted fruit infused liquors. I’ll be making them this summer!
Denise says
Hi Edyta, they are lots of fun and really perfect with summer fruit and herbs.
Tara says
Oh wow! All of these look incredible. I would love to try the strawberry lime tequila. So perfect for summer.
Denise says
That’s my favorite too!
Cav says
You had me at Froggy’s. These look delicious – going to try the strawberry lime tequila for sure.
[email protected] says
Hi CC, they are good. I want to make a Mojito one next. I’ve been drinking these all summer.
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life says
This is genius! I have to try it! Pinning!
Zan says
I have made infused water and love it. Thanks for sharing with us at the Home Matters Linky party. We hope you join us again.
Sarah R. says
I am loving this post WAY MORE than I should, especially at 6:11 in the morning. 😉 Thank you so much for popping by Snickerdoodle Sunday- hope to see you again this coming weekend!
Sarah (Sadie Seasongoods)
[email protected] says
Ha Ha! I hear ya!
Carole West - Garden Up Green says
Just in time for summer – Love this and I have some of these ingredients growing in the garden.
Great recipes
Carole
linderhof says
I’ve made liqueurs for years with vodka — an apricot one, a Swedish one, and limoncello. But I’ve never infused liquor with fruits. I will have to try those — my mouth was watering — and the strawberry lime tequila — how clever!
[email protected] says
We really liked them….I hope you do too. How cool that you made your own liqueurs!
Kristin says
You stop it right now with that Strawberry Lime Tequila!! OMGizzle!! I need this in my life. Definitely pinning this for later use!! What great recipes! If you get the chance, I’d love it if you stopped by my blog for Thursty Thursday and link these up!! They are amazing!! Have a great day! Cheers!! hopelesslyeverafter.blogspot.com
[email protected] says
I will do!
theartinpartyplanning says
I’ve been wanting to make jalapeno infused tequila for jalapeno margaritas 🙂
[email protected] says
I was thinking of something on those lines too! That sounds awesome!
Ntina says
Thanks for sharing those great recipes to the bloggers brags pinterest party. I ‘ve pinned your post!
[email protected] says
Thanks!
Caroline | carolinescooking says
We made cranberry gin last year which was so delicious. These look so pretty and the flavors sound great too.
[email protected] says
Ooo that sounds good too! I’ll have to try that.
Joy @ Joy Love Food says
I love fruit infused liquors, my husband makes a wonderful green apple vodka. Your three versions sound delicious, can’t wait to give them a try!
[email protected] says
Oooo that sounds great. My husband and I were just make a few more concoctions tonight.
Michelle @ Giraffes Can Bake says
I love infusing vodka, haven’t tried any other liquors yet though – I made a cucumber vodka that was amazing! LOVE your flavour combos, especially the ginger and apricot! Pinning and sharing!