Elderberry Infused Vodka
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.
I started 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.
Okay….once I had them picked and removed from the stems, there really wasn’t much more to do than wait….and wait….and wait!
Elderberries are a teeny little fruit with a fairly large seed. I’ve never really found a use for them before, but thought I’d figure out what to do with them. I made a cordial, which is a non-alcoholic concentrated mixture that is reported to ward off sickness. I’ll let you know if it works 🙂
Then I made this infused vodka! I’m sure it will ward off any germs just daring to come close! Oh wait, maybe that’s the vodka! Well, even if it doesn’t prevent sickness, it still tastes good!
After several weeks, I drained the elderberries and left behind was a purplish vodka with a slightly fruity flavor. Â The remaining berries were devoid of the purplish color.
Another recipe I make using vodka is Moscow Mules.
Vodka infused with Elderberries
- 2 cups fresh elderberries
- 1 quart vodka
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Place elderberries in a glass jar.
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Pour vodka over top and cover with a lid.
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Let vodka mixture sit for 6-8 weeks until color has developed.
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Strain off berries.
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Use elderberry vodka in place of regular vodka in any drink.
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22 Comments
Laura @ Raise Your Garden
September 28, 2016 at 5:47 amWow! 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!!!
Kathy
September 29, 2016 at 6:07 pmThey are fun to find…and fun to pick! Good luck 🙂
Geraldine | Green Valley Kitchen
September 28, 2016 at 8:36 amThis 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?
Kathy
September 29, 2016 at 6:07 pmThis is my first time making an infused vodka. I would imagine you could use just about any berry!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary
September 28, 2016 at 10:38 amI 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!
Kathy
September 29, 2016 at 6:08 pmThe elderberries grow wild in the mountains around us. I don’t have to go far to find them.
mira
September 28, 2016 at 4:00 pmSuch a cool idea! Love the garden! Pinning!
Kathy
September 29, 2016 at 6:08 pmThanks, Mira!
Fran @ G'day Souffle'
September 28, 2016 at 4:28 pmHmm, 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!
Kathy
September 29, 2016 at 6:09 pmOoohhhh! Sounds like a great idea!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
September 28, 2016 at 6:27 pmWow, so fun Kathy! I love the elderflower liqueur, St. Germain, so I know I’d love elderflower vodka!
Kathy
September 29, 2016 at 6:09 pmI haven’t tried that one before! I’ll need to give it a try.
Dawn @ Girl Heart Food
September 29, 2016 at 4:38 amWhat a neat idea, Kathy! I bet this would be awesome with a splash of club soda! Pretty colour, too 🙂
Kathy
September 29, 2016 at 6:09 pmPerfect with club soda!
David @ Spiced
September 29, 2016 at 5:17 amWhat 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. 🙂
Kathy
September 29, 2016 at 6:10 pmI’m glad you didn’t try any of the mystery berries! I wonder what they are….
Adina
September 30, 2016 at 12:14 amElderberry 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.
Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen
September 30, 2016 at 12:51 amElderberry 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.
Ashley
September 30, 2016 at 3:57 amI’ve never infused my own vodka before – this is pretty darn cool! And with the elderberries! I like it!
Kathy
October 2, 2016 at 7:12 pmIt was a first for me too! Will definitely do it again!
Phyllis
September 30, 2016 at 5:51 pmOh 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. 🙂
Kathy
September 30, 2016 at 7:39 pmThere 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.