The third of my infused vodkas is the only savoury one I’m sharing. I have a sweet tooth, well several actually, and therefore it is extremely hard to find savoury infusions that I actually like…
This infusion is mainly for those who like their bloody mary mixtures a little more home-made and flavourful. Infusing Tomato and Basil into a quality Vodka will, if done correctly, add a completely new layer of depth in flavour. Sure Bloody Mary Cocktails are great, but you can always do it better…
Tomato & Basil Vodka
Recipe:
6 large tomatoes
Handful of fresh Basil
70cl (700ml) High-quality Vodka
Method:
- Cut each tomato up into 8 pieces put into a sterilised glass jar with the fresh basil.
- Add the vodka, seal the bottle and gently shake to mix the ingredients.
- Store in a cool, dry place away from sunlight for up to 7 days.
- Fine-strain into the original vodka bottle, and discard the solids.
- Re-seal the original bottle and store in a cool, dry place away from sunlight or in the fridge.
Whilst I don’t usually go for such a savoury concoction, this one works rather well in a particular type of vodka based cocktail: Bloody Marys.
Basil Bloody Mary
Recipe:
50ml Tomato & Basil Infused Vodka
150ml Fresh Tomato Juice
2 sprigs Fresh Basil
1/2 Lemon
1/2 tsp Tabasco Sauce
1/2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
Garnish: Olives & peppered cheddar skewers, pinch of salt, pinch of pepper..
Method:
- Muddle the basil leaves with half a lemons worth of juice.
- Half fill the glass with ice and then the same again with the Bloody Mary Mix.
- Add in the vodka, stir and then add the tabasco and worcestershire sauces.
- top up with ice and then garnish with a skewer comprised of the olives and cheddar squares, and a sprig of basil.
Combined with various other savoury ingredients the tomato and basil flavour really shines through and even takes away some of the alcohol burn associated with a strong drink…
To visit the ‘A Beautiful Mess’ – the site home to the recipe upon which i based my own, please click here.
Fervent Shaker Top Tip: If you have any vodka cocktails that involve tequila, you should definitely give this infusion a try. It pairs well with tequila and especially spicy cocktails!
The Fervent Shaker 