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Home » Beverage

Published: Sep 28, 2016 · Modified: Feb 21, 2021 by Kathy

Elderberry Vodka

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Elderberry Infused Vodka

Elderberry Vodka mixed with lemon lime soda and served over ice.

Elderberries grow wild here. They produce a cluster of small purplish fruit that ripen starting mid-August through the beginning of October. Two trees in the same location can ripen a good month apart.

Elderberries growing on a tree.

Istarted this recipe about 8 weeks ago. It was during the middle of the summer so I had time to forage for fresh berries, remove them from their stems and then soak them in a quart of vodka.

A bowl filled with elderberries.

Elderberries are a teeny little fruit with a fairly large seed. Many people gather them and use them in different recipes like this elderberry tea!

Elderberries in a jar with a lid.
Elderberry Vodka - Day 1

After several weeks, I drained the elderberries and left behind was a purplish vodka with a slightly fruity flavor. The remaining berries were devoid of the purplish color.

Elderberries strained after being soaked in vodka.

Another recipe I make using vodka is Moscow Mules.

A jar filled with small berries in a liquid.

If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop

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Elderberry Vodka. Vodka flavored with wild Elderberry.

Elderberry Vodka

Kathy Berget
Vodka infused with Elderberries
4.88 from 8 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Soaking Time 30 days d
Total Time 30 days d 10 minutes mins
Course Beverage
Cuisine American
Servings 1 quart
Calories 65 kcal
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups fresh elderberries
  • 1 quart vodka

Instructions
 

  • Place elderberries in a glass jar.
  • Pour vodka over top and cover with a lid.
  • Let vodka mixture sit for 6-8 weeks until color has developed.
  • Strain off berries.
  • Use elderberry vodka in place of regular vodka in any drink.

Nutritional Disclaimer:

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ounceCalories: 65kcal
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jay T says

    August 28, 2023 at 2:39 pm

    As far as what to do with the elderberries after you're done soaking them in vodka, try pouring ginger ale or carbonated water over them to glean some remaining flavor and nutrient and drink immediately. This will work best if you refrigerate the berries first.

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      August 28, 2023 at 4:15 pm

      Thanks for the suggestion!

      Reply
  2. Dana says

    August 15, 2021 at 6:38 am

    First time working with elderberries, so being cautious because I am reading that with raw berries you can get sick. I’m thinking that’s not the case with infusing the vodka? Do you know why? Is there a step where they are cooked first?

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      August 15, 2021 at 6:55 am

      Hi Dana,
      Raw elderberries do contain toxins, however the toxicity level varies from variety and location. Some berries contain very little toxins. I have not cooked the elderberries in this infused vodka. They are soaked in the vodka and then fully strained off, including the skins and the seeds. There is a lot of conflicting opinions about the amount of toxins that may be transferred to the vodka. You will need to use your own judgement if you deem this safe.
      Kathy

      Reply
    • Chantale says

      September 04, 2023 at 10:59 pm

      I once used raw elderberries that I had frozen in a smoothie and was very sick witching 15 min afterwards, it took 2 days to recover…. Maybe if it is just an infusion it might be ok.

      Reply
      • Kathy says

        September 05, 2023 at 5:09 am

        Raw elderberry seeds are not edible.

  3. Veronica says

    May 02, 2020 at 8:57 am

    4 stars
    My elderberry vodka concoction tastes like a fermented berries infused vodka. Any tips on how to make it more palatable. It tastes very fermented!!! I did add a bit of sugar and honey to see if that helps. So we shall see? Maybe i should dilute with sprite???

    Thank you!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      May 02, 2020 at 1:34 pm

      Hi Veronica,
      I don't know why it would ferment. I've never had that issue. When I drink mine, I do pour over ice and add sprite. That's how I like it.

      Reply
  4. Diny Jansen says

    March 23, 2020 at 9:41 pm

    Does it have to be 100% vodka?

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      March 24, 2020 at 6:04 am

      No. You could use another alcohol instead of the vodka or even create a mix.

      Reply
  5. Fred G says

    March 23, 2019 at 5:25 pm

    5 stars
    Great idea for vodka

    Reply
  6. Lauren says

    January 31, 2019 at 6:04 am

    Just curious if anyone ever uses the berries (after straining the vodka off) for something?

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      January 31, 2019 at 6:18 am

      Great question! I have not used the berries, but I am curious.... 🙂

      Reply
  7. Phyllis says

    September 30, 2016 at 5:51 pm

    Oh boy I am going to have to try and find some. Are there still berries on the trees? Friend of mine at one time were going to get some and make wine 🙂 but never did it so would love to get some and try the vodka. Use to be a big tree down from the folks wonder if its still there? One way too to find out if it is elderberry is if the grouse are in it. They do love those berries. 🙂

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      September 30, 2016 at 7:39 pm

      There are still some berries on...you just need to start looking! I think you've still got a few weeks before they are all gone.

      Reply
  8. Ashley says

    September 30, 2016 at 3:57 am

    I've never infused my own vodka before - this is pretty darn cool! And with the elderberries! I like it!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      October 02, 2016 at 7:12 pm

      It was a first for me too! Will definitely do it again!

      Reply
  9. Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says

    September 30, 2016 at 12:51 am

    Elderberry vodka sounds so much fun, Kathy. Love that purple color on hands. I have had elderflower liqueur before but this vodka. This is a must try.

    Reply
  10. Adina says

    September 30, 2016 at 12:14 am

    Elderberry trees grow wild here as well. I always use the flowers in early summer but never got to using the berries. People make a delicious jelly out of them in Germany. This flavored vodka sounds great and so easy to make.

    Reply
  11. David @ Spiced says

    September 29, 2016 at 5:17 am

    What a fun idea! I've always wondered what elderberries looked like in the wild. We had a tree with some sort of unknown berry when we first moved into our house, and I was thinking it might have been elderberry. It clearly wasn't...so good thing I didn't eat any! haha! Love the idea of infusing vodka with the berries. 🙂

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      September 29, 2016 at 6:10 pm

      I'm glad you didn't try any of the mystery berries! I wonder what they are....

      Reply
  12. Dawn @ Girl Heart Food says

    September 29, 2016 at 4:38 am

    What a neat idea, Kathy! I bet this would be awesome with a splash of club soda! Pretty colour, too 🙂

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      September 29, 2016 at 6:09 pm

      Perfect with club soda!

      Reply
  13. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says

    September 28, 2016 at 6:27 pm

    Wow, so fun Kathy! I love the elderflower liqueur, St. Germain, so I know I'd love elderflower vodka!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      September 29, 2016 at 6:09 pm

      I haven't tried that one before! I'll need to give it a try.

      Reply
  14. Fran @ G'day Souffle' says

    September 28, 2016 at 4:28 pm

    Hmm, one of my favorite cocktails is a Harvey Wallbanger which uses vodka and orange juice.It might be worth a try to substitute elderberry juice for the orange juice!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      September 29, 2016 at 6:09 pm

      Ooohhhh! Sounds like a great idea!

      Reply
  15. mira says

    September 28, 2016 at 4:00 pm

    Such a cool idea! Love the garden! Pinning!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      September 29, 2016 at 6:08 pm

      Thanks, Mira!

      Reply
  16. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says

    September 28, 2016 at 10:38 am

    I am totally jealous of your garden situation, Kathy! You have EVERYTHING in your back yard!! I love infused vodkas, as this one sounds AMAZING! Love the color too! If I can get my hands on elderberries I will be sure to give this a try! Cheers!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      September 29, 2016 at 6:08 pm

      The elderberries grow wild in the mountains around us. I don't have to go far to find them.

      Reply
  17. Geraldine | Green Valley Kitchen says

    September 28, 2016 at 8:36 am

    This is great, Kathy. I've never infused vodka before. I don't think I'll be able to find elderberries - can you use another berry?

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      September 29, 2016 at 6:07 pm

      This is my first time making an infused vodka. I would imagine you could use just about any berry!

      Reply
  18. Laura @ Raise Your Garden says

    September 28, 2016 at 5:47 am

    Wow! What a unique recipe Kathy. WE have some elderberries growing wild here, but not to the extent you seem to have them. Now I'm going to be on the hunt for them!!!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      September 29, 2016 at 6:07 pm

      They are fun to find...and fun to pick! Good luck 🙂

      Reply
4.88 from 8 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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I'm Kathy, and I love to create delicious recipes from scratch utilizing many ingredients that we grow and raise. I'm a recipe creator, food photographer, and cookbook author!

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