Cardamom Pear Martini - an infused vodka recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is cardamom vodka? ›

Triple distilled vodka is gently infused with cardamom pods to capture the floral cardamom spice. Produced in small batches to give the very best vodka flavour - you can even drink it neat.

Directions. Fill a co*cktail shaker with ice; add vodka, pear juice, and ginger liqueur. Cover shaker and shake; strain drink into a chilled martini glass and garnish with nutmeg.

To begin, thoroughly clean your glass container with soap and hot water. Next, add the fruit, herbs, and/or spices you want to infuse into your vodka, washing them beforehand. Pour in vodka to cover these ingredients, seal the jar, and leave it in a dark place for one to four weeks.

Infusing involves steeping one or more ingredients in a distilled spirit to extract flavor. With its neutral taste, vodka is well suited to take on the flavors of various ingredients. While it's a simple process, infusing does take time (about 3 to 7 days).

Infuse the Vodka

If you're using fresh fruits (or god forbid, veggies) don't worry about refrigeration. The alcohol will preserve the ingredients. Throughout the next few days, be sure to taste the infused vodka to see if the flavor is strong enough. And remember to shake the jar once or twice a day.

What you're trying to replicate when using a cardamom substitute is that cozy, earthy flavor that smells the way a warm, tight hug feels. The best replacements for ground cardamom are spices that have that same aroma and flavor, such as allspice, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Black Cardamom Vodka — Cooper King Distillery®

Cardamom has a unique and distinctive flavor. It's challenging to describe but has peppery, piney, eucalyptus, and menthol-like notes, but the taste of cardamom is also floral with hints of citrus. This blend of sweet, peppery, pungent, and aromatic flavors actually makes it an incredibly versatile spice.

Fill a highball glass with ice cubes. Add Absolut Pears and lime juice. Top up with lemon-lime soda. Garnish with mint leaf and pear.

Infused spirits are best enjoyed within three months, but they will never go bad. See our co*cktail recipes for ideas on how to use your infused alcohol.

What are the best fruits to infuse with vodka? ›

This is also perfect for when you're not in the mood for a big preserving project, but want a quick way to make sure that handful of juicy berries, plump purple figs, or last peaches doesn't go to waste. Because a bottle of jewel-colored, summer fruit-infused vodka will never go to waste. Trust me on this.

Pour grain alcohol of 40 to 70 percent over the herbs to the top of your glass jar, covering them completely. Cover the jar with parchment paper and then screw on a metal lid. Let it sit for 6 to 8 weeks. Place a cheesecloth over a funnel and allow your tincture to drip through.

Infuse for 3 to 5 days: Shake the jar of fruit and vodka daily. You'll see the vodka gradually take on the color of the fruit. Taste it after 3 days and continue infusing to your liking. Most fruit vodkas are finished in 3 to 5 days, but you can continue infusing the vodka for longer.

A Note on Infusion Containers

As Chris does in the video, you can use a beverage server, but we find that Mason jars or other similar glass jars or sealable glass containers work best. Whatever you choose, make sure you have a really clean container– especially if you're reusing something like a pasta sauce jar.

Vodka is commonly made from wheat, rye, barley, corn, or potatoes. Sugar and molasses can also be used alone or added to other ingredients. One distiller even makes an innovative vodka from Pinot Noir red wine. Whatever you choose, it must have sugars or starches so that alcohol is ultimately produced.

Not to be confused with flavored vodka, infused vodka is truly a work of art. This is another DIY option, but the difference lies in production, taste, and overall quality compared to flavored vodkas. The added flavors (usually fruit or herbs) are steeped in the vodka to allow for maximum impact.