Strawberry vodka captures the bright, fragrant essence of fresh strawberries. This pretty pink infusion is delightful in cocktails, lemonade, desserts, and even fruit salads.
There’s a bit of food science behind why alcohol makes such an excellent flavor extractor. Two qualities make alcohol especially effective:
- Volatility: Alcohol evaporates quickly, carrying aroma molecules to your nose. That fast evaporation is why spirits release such strong scent when you open a bottle.
- Solubility: Alcohol bonds with both water- and fat-soluble compounds, so it pulls a wide range of flavors and aromatics—from bright fruity notes to herb and spice oils—into the liquid.
Because aroma and taste are linked, alcohol helps release fragrances that might remain trapped in fat or cellular structures. For aromatic fruits like strawberries, infusing with vodka brings out a fuller, more intense expression of their flavor.
Strawberries are naturally sweet and highly aromatic, so they shine when steeped in vodka. Pairing them with basil—another deeply aromatic plant—creates a balanced, layered infusion. The sweet fruit and the herb’s green, slightly peppery notes complement each other beautifully.
After a few days of steeping, the strawberries may appear pale in the jar—that’s normal. They have released their color into the vodka, which should turn a deep pink. The fruit gives up its color and aroma to create an intensely scented vodka. The basil should be a subtle undertone if used judiciously.
The finished infusion will smell vividly of strawberries and may be stronger than you’d prefer to sip neat. That’s fine—this is intended as a mixer or an ingredient to enhance cocktails, desserts, and recipes where strawberry flavor is welcome.
Uses for Strawberry Basil Infused Vodka
There are many great ways to use this infusion:
- Substitute equal amounts for orange liqueurs like Grand Marnier in fruit salads or fruit-based desserts to add depth and aroma.
- Add a tablespoon to strawberry pie filling to intensify the fruit flavor.
- Stir a tablespoon or two into homemade ice cream or frozen custard. It enhances flavor and helps keep the ice cream softer.
- Blend a splash into adult milkshakes for an extra boozy, strawberry-forward treat.
- Use it in cocktails—simple vodka sodas, lemonades, spritzers, sangrias, or shaken cocktails all benefit from the concentrated fruit flavor.
Strawberry Vodka
This recipe is flexible—scale it up or down. If you’re unsure about making a quart, start with a pint. You don’t need top-shelf vodka, but avoid the cheapest options; choose a mid-range bottle that mixes well.
Wash strawberries and basil, then let them air dry until not dripping. You can pat them with paper towels to speed this step. For best extraction, shake the jar once or twice a day while it infuses, though forgetting occasionally is not disastrous.
When the infusion is ready, strain it through a fine mesh sieve into a clean container. Straining makes the final vodka more visually appealing and easier to use immediately, and prevents the fruit from breaking down further.
Work quickly when pouring and re-lid the jar to limit alcohol evaporation. For the freshest flavor, strain the vodka and store it with a tight lid in the freezer—this keeps the bright strawberry character while keeping the vodka chilled and ready for cocktails.
Strawberry Basil Infused Vodka
Rebecca Lindamood
Ingredients
- Fresh strawberries — washed, air dried, and hulled
- Fresh basil leaves — washed and air dried
- Fair-quality vodka
Also needed:
- One clean canning jar with a two-piece lid
Instructions
- Cut strawberries into pieces and layer them into the jar, tucking basil leaves among the fruit. Fill the jar to within 1/2 inch of the rim without squishing the fruit.
- Basil note: For a quart jar, use 2 large or 4 small basil leaves. For a pint, use 1 large or 2 small leaves.
- Pour in the vodka to cover the fruit and herbs. Tighten the lid and shake vigorously 4–5 times. Store in a cool, dark place and let infuse for about 3 days. Open and smell—if it’s strongly strawberry-scented, strain through a fine mesh sieve into a clean jar. Store tightly lidded in a cool, dark place for up to a year, or for best freshness and ready-to-serve chilled vodka, store in the freezer.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate. Calculate values with the exact ingredients you use if needed.
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This post was originally published June 9, 2014.