Flavoured with sugar and spice and all things nice, this Christmas vodka has all the sweet tastes of the festive season in one glass!
This festive vodka is the perfect tipple to serve with Christmas pudding or a slice of Christmas cake.
Like my Cranberry and clementine gin it is made by infusing the base spirit with other flavours, in this case, dried fruits and spices.
However, unlike many flavoured gins and vodkas, this is really quick to make and takes just 3 days for the flavours to infuse into the vodka. Most take several weeks! Despite this short time the end result is a rich, fruity, sweet drink that packs a punch of flavour in just a few sips.
The ingredients
Dried Fruit
I've used a mixture of dried fruits that go into a figgy Christmas pudding.
- Figs - use no soak ready to eat dried figs.
- Mixed dried fruits - use a mixture sultanas, currants and raisins.
- Mixed Peel - this adds some lovely citrusy notes to the vodka.
Sugar
I've used light muscovado sugar (an unrefined soft brown sugar), which imparts a lovely soft caramelly tone to the drink. Dark muscovado or dark brown sugar will be too strong. Golden caster sugar could be used and will give a lighter flavour.
Spices
Cinnamon, cloves, allspice – Cinnamon and cloves are almost mandatory festive spices. I like the complexity of allspice so if you have some allspice berries then I highly recommend you add them. However you don't want to buy them specially for this then you could add some grated nutmeg instead.
Lemon zest
The zest of lemons is full of aromatic oils that add a little zing. Remove the zest in strips with a small sharp paring knife or vegetable peeler. Take care not to include the white pith that is bitter and will add off notes if included.
Vodka
The first time I made this I used gin. Gin is made from a neutral spirit with the addition of aromatics including juniper which must remain the predominant aromatic flavour. However the strong flavours of the fruit and spices completely drowned out any of the gin undertones.
I now make it with vodka which has a more neutral flavour and is ideal for pepping up with additional flavourings. You do not need to buy a premium vodka for this recipe, use a supermarket own brand or any of the more popular brands if it is on special offer.
Cook's Tips
Don't throw away the soaked fruit. Discard the whole spices (consider trying them into a small muslin bag before adding to the fruit to make this easier) and lemon zest. Use the soaked fruit to make a cake or put it in your Christmas pudding. It is also delicious served spooned over ice cream.
Serving suggestions
Serve as an aperitif or after dinner with dessert course in place of a sweet dessert wine.
Serve with Chrsitmas pudding, rich fruit cake or try with biscotti.
Try pouring some over vanilla ice cream.
This vodka makes a fabulous festive gift for grown-ups. Last Christmas I made a batch of Christmas vodka and Cranberry and clementine gin and served them in mini bottles with name labels to use as table gifts/place markers.
Step by step
Place fruit and sugar in a large bowl. Add spices and vodka. Add lemon zest. Stir to combine and allow to steep. Strain into a jug. Pour into bottles, label and seal.
Christmas Vodka
Equipment
- large bowl
- sieve
- muslin
- sterilised bottles
Ingredients
- 100 g dried figs chopped
- 200 g dried mixed fruit
- 50 g chopped mixed peel
- 50 g light muscovado sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 12 cloves
- 6 allspice berries
- 1 unwaxed lemon
- 500 ml inexpensive vodka
Instructions
- Place 100g chopped dried figs in a large bowl and add 200g mixed dried and 50g chopped mixed peel.
- Add 50g light muscovado sugar, 1 cinnamon stick 12 cloves and 6 allspice berries. Then pour in 500ml vodka.
- Pare the zest from the lemon taking care not to include the white pith and add to the bowl. Stir to combine. Cover and leave to steep for 3 days in the refrigerator.
- Line a sieve with muslin and strain the vodka into a large jug. Pour the infused vodka into a sterilised bottle . Seal, label and store in a cool dark place.
Notes
- Sterilise bottles in the same way you would sterilise jam jars for preserving.
- Discard the whole spices and use the fruit to make a fruit cake or Christmas pudding. Or serve spooned over vanilla icecream
- Best used within 6 months
Carol Davidson says
Sounds a great recipe - could I use dried dates instead of figs? I'm not a fan of figs.
Carol says
Can one use dried dates instead of figs- I'm not particularly keen on a fig flavour
Jacqueline Bellefontaine says
Although I have not tried it to say for certain but I am pretty sure dates should work too just giving it a slightly but still festive flavour. I would certainly risk giving it a go. Indeed I might just do that when i make my next btach.
Eb Gargano | Easy Peasy Foodie says
Love this! Such a totally genius idea 😀
Janice says
Oh wow, I love the sound of this, thanks for a great recipe.
Chloe Edges says
oh wow what a fab idea!
Joanna says
Oh my goodness, I am definitely making this. I make a lot of flavoured gin and vodka but I've never made anything Christmassy or with dried fruit. The perfect recipe to sip by the fire at a stay-at-home Christmas this year.
Midge @ Peachicks' Bakery says
What a great idea! Definitely going to give this a go to add to our christmas hampers we deliver each year! Love that its so quick too!
Jacqueline Bellefontaine says
I'm sure it will be very popular. I like splashing a bit over my Christmas pud for a bit of a kick .
Corina Blum says
I've never tried making anything like this but it sounds delicious! It would make a lovely present.
Choclette says
Lovely idea Jacqui. I've made all sorts of vodka and gin tipples, but this sounds perfect for the Christmas season and not one I've tried. I've made a chilli and cinnamon one before though
Jacqueline Bellefontaine says
Adnams make a chilli gin that I rather like, it gives it a lovely warming kick. I havent thought about adding chilli to gin or vodka myself yet!
Kat (The Baking Explorer) says
This sounds delicious, like mince pie in a drink!
Jacqueline Bellefontaine says
Absolutely!
Cat | Curly's Cooking says
I'm not usually a fan of vodka but I know I would love this. The flavours sound so delicious and comforting. What a fantastic gift to give people too.
Jacqueline Bellefontaine says
I don't like vodka much either but this is more of a liqueur and it really is rather yummy The sweetness softenes the effect of the alcohol.