Raspberry Vodka

The other day I was cleaning out the refrigerator. It's actually been a while since I (personally) have cleaned it out (we do take turns on this kind of thing because it's not the nicest job in the world).

It probably should have been cleaned out sooner. Oh, well.

Anyway, the point is that I found something I made a while ago and had forgotten about.
A bottle of raspberry infused vodka.
Mmmmm.

Maybe another person who had cleaned the fridge a time or two before me was disinterested in something like this and had just put it at the back of the shelf. I don't know.

It's very easy to make and can be a really nice addition to drinks. We actually just like it with crushed ice and Sprite.

All you need is vodka, raspberries, and a large jar (the one I used was a 2 L jar).

It takes a while to make and by the end the berries have lost all their color (they remind me of E.T. when he's not feeling so well). However, the vodka turns a beautiful magenta shade.

I would not recommend eating any of the berries (from my experience I can tell you they don't taste very good). It must be osmosis- the berry juice leaves the berries for the vodka, while vodka fills the berries. An unberry vodka-filled berry is just unexpected and tastes all wrong. Plus, the texture of the berry isn't right either.

Proportions can be variable here. Of course, it's just fine when you make it with the lesser amount of berries and without sugar (this is the type shown). But the more berries you have the stronger the raspberry flavor.

Don't buy the best vodka for this, but don't buy the cheapest either. You want something you would drink, but since it will be "enhanced" you don't want to worry about paying for the most expensive vodka you can find (which is great all by itself).

Raspberry Vodka

1 bottle (750 ml) vodka

1-2 pt fresh raspberries

sugar (optional)

Pour cleaned raspberries into large, tight sealing jar. If using sugar, sprinkle a layer over berries (1-4 T depending on taste).
Pour vodka over raspberries and place on counter. Shake/stir daily for a month. Strain berries and pour vodka back into bottle using a funnel lined with a coffee filter to pick up any loose bits of berry and possible sedement.

Be patient and careful when pouring, otherwise you will end up with a pink pool on the counter.

Vodka can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer.