One of the things I love about the spring months is being able to make this cherry infused vodka recipe. Vodka infused with real fruit and not just flavoring is so much better not only because it’s natural, but because you know exactly what is in it!
Have you ever infused liquor? If you haven’t, then you really should! It’s easy and the results are outstanding.
What is so great about doing it yourself? You can control the ingredients. You know that there are no added sugars, no preservatives, no questionable ingredients, just the fruit and the vodka. The end.
How easy is infusing vodka with real fruit?
It’s super easy. But don’t take my word for it. See the following steps:
- Cut up the cherries
- Place them in a jar
- Pour liquor over the cherries
- Cap the jar
- Put it in the counter or refrigerator
The only thing hard about it is you have to wait a week for the vodka to properly infuse.
Can you eat the cherries after they’ve infused the vodka?
No.
Don’t do it, unless all you want to taste is liquor. The cherry flavor leeches out of the fruit and melds with the vodka. I admit, I always try to eat one just because I wonder if this time it will be different.
But alas, it isn’t. So do as I say, not as I do and toss the fruit once you fish it out of vodka.
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Helpful tips
- You can either use a mid level vodka like Ketel One or vodka that is of higher quality like Grey Goose. I wouldn’t use anything below mid level because you want the best tasting finished product.
- You can make a bigger batch by using more cherries and a fill the jar more.
- Make sure the cherries you use are firm and not too ripe.
- You can place the jar in the refrigerator, or let it infuse on the counter. If you choose the counter, it will infuse faster.
- It takes 3 – 5 days on the counter and 5 – 7 in the refrigerator.
How to make cherry infused vodka
Step one
Gather the ingredients – cherries, a cherry pitter, large jar and vodka!
Step two
Wash the cherries, take the stems off and take the pits out. Also, cut the cherries in half and place them in the jar. (A)
Step three
Pour the vodka over the cherries. (B)
Make sure they are covered. (C)
Step four
Cap the jar of cherries and shake. See how the vodka is starting to turn pink? (D)
Now it is just a waiting game.
It will take 3 – 5 days on the counter and 5 – 7 days in the refrigerator. (E)
Step five
Place a strainer in a large bowl and carefully empty the contents into it. (F)
See how the cherries have lost their dark red color? That’s why I said earlier not to eat them.
After they’ve been soaked in alcohol, they are no longer flavorful.
Here are more infusions – the cherry vodka in front, the rhubarb vodka on the left and cherry bourbon to the right.
I hope you enjoyed this cherry infused vodka recipe.
If you’ve ever infused spirits with fruit, leave me a comment to let me know how it turned out.
Other popular infusion recipes
And as always, may all your dishes/drinks be delish!
If you’ve tried this or any other recipe on the blog, I’d love the hear what you thought about it in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!
Cherry Infused Vodka
Ingredients
- 4 cups cherries (washed, pitted and cut in half)
- 3 cups vodka
Instructions
- Add halved cherries in jar
- Add vodka
- Cover jar and shake. Either leave jar on the counter for 3 – 5 days or in the fridge for 5 – 7 days.
- Place a sieve in a large bowl and carefully pour the contents in the sieve
- Throw the cherries away
- Bottle
- Make a cocktail
- Enjoy
See all my favorite tools and gift ideas at my Amazon Store page!Check out Elaine’s Amazon Store!Notes
- You can either use a mid level vodka like Ketel One or vodka that is of higher quality like Grey Goose. I wouldn’t use anything below mid level because you want the best tasting finished product.
- You can make a bigger batch by using more cherries and a fill the jar more.
- Make sure the cherries you use are firm and not too ripe.
- You can place the jar in the refrigerator, or let it infuse on the counter. If you choose the counter, it will infuse faster.
- It takes 3 – 5 days on the counter and 5 – 7 in the refrigerator.
Jacque Hastert
I would love to have a bottle of this natural flavored vodka laying around my house. Will have to make some of this very soon!
Elaine
Thanks Jacque. It’s so natural and delicious!
Marie – Not Enough Cinnamon
I’ve never tried to infuse liquor but I’m sure I would LOVE it! I bet it’s something you can try with other berries too? I tried a delicious raspberry vodka once and I’d love to recreate it 🙂
Elaine
Yes, blueberry, raspberry, blackberry. They are all so delicious Marie!
Haley D Williams
This is something I have wanted to try! This looks like a good one to start with!
Elaine
Indeed it is. Thanks Haley!
georgie
this is so cool! I’ve never done infused vodka before, i didn’t realise it was so easy though!!!! love it!
Elaine
Sooooo easy!! Thank you Georgie!
ali randall
What a genius idea and I just picked up a bag of fresh cherries. This infused vodka would make for a delicious cocktail. I may have to try your watermelon vodka too.
Elaine
Infused vodka is so yummy. Don’t expect a strong flavor! It is slight but so yummy!
Beth
I did this once many years ago with orange. It was really good but wow, cherry sounds amazing!!
Elaine
It is, Beth! Thank you!
Helena
Cherries sound fantastic! I like this Cherry Infused Vodka recipe!
Elaine
Thank you Helena! 🙂
Nicki
I vote to eat the cherries!!!
Elaine
Lol Nicki!!
Connie
Yes eating the cherries! Thanks you
Elaine
Thanks Connie. 🙂 So you ate the cherries?
Chris
Sounds like a great flavor for infusing into vodka. Love to try some!
Elaine
Thanks Chris!
Gwyn
Can you use frozen cherries?
Elaine
Yes, but make sure to thaw them thoroughly and rinse off any juice (usually there is added sugar). Let me know how it comes out, Gwyn.
Jacqui
Incredible recipe! It was very interesting to read about the cherries’ losing color – definitely something to keep in mind. Thank you!
Elaine
Thanks Jacqui! It is weird and it’s even more weird that you can’t eat the cherries. It makes me sad!
Suzanne
Actually I HAVE used the leftover cherries- in baking quick bread and and in a bread pudding. In both cases, I had infused the vodka with seasonings (allspice, cinnamon, black peppercorns, cardamom) as well as the cherries. I dotted the cherry pieces and small dark chocolate chunks throughout the bread pudding, and in the bread I just stirred in both of those items right before baking. Delicious, but as already mentioned, not so much cherry flavor as cherry moisture and spices flavor. Just a thought…
Elaine
That is so great, Suzanne. I never would have thought to use them in that way and I can’t wait to try it in bread. I usually just mourn the cherry and throw it away. Thank you for letting me know and for your comment.
Diana
Do you have to put the cherries since your not eating them anyway? This sounds like a yummy vodka to mix with chocolate vodka for a martini!
Elaine
Updated: Yes, Diana. You do need to pit the cherries. If you don’t it will have a weaker cherry taste. Pitting them allows for the vodka to pick up more of the taste from the flesh! Let me know how it goes.
(The cherries are for the infusion, so they do need to be added to the vodka. Otherwise it wouldn’t be infused. And yes, Diana, the vodka is excellent with chocolate vodka!)
sylvia Warfield
I think she meant do you need to pit the cherries!
Elaine
Oops. Thanks Sylvia!
Audrea
I have infused peach, BlackBerry, blueberry, strawberry, cinnamon and jalapeno vodkas…I think cherry is gonna be the next one I try, that sounds so yummy and I am surprised I havent tried it yet!
Elaine
How fun, Audrea! I Love that you infuse vodkas too. I’ve tried all of the ones you’ve mentioned other than cinnamon and jalapeno. I think you haven’t thought of doing cherry because the season is finite and the other fruits we can get year round. I hope you enjoy it when you try it!
Diane
I do not cut the cherries in half. Since they have a hole in the middle from pitting them, I don’t see the point. But if they are big cherries, I will take my Pampered Chef shears and do a little rough chop on them for a sec. I am all about saving time 🙂 I love using Tito’s vodka. Thank you for your recipes! Oh, and definately try jalapeno infused vodka. Makes a GREAT Bloody Mary 🙂
Elaine
Hi Diane! Thanks so much. I love cutting my cherries in half just to get at more of the flesh, but I’m sure having the hole where the pit used to be is fine! 🙂 I also love to see the halves leech away the color. Brings me joy knowing the flavor is going in the vodka! And yes, Jalapeno vodka is so good in Bloody Mary’s!! Thanks for your comment. I really enjoyed reading it!
Kim
Question, I didn’t cut mine in half. Will it still infuse? Should I let it sit in refrigerator another week? Also, should I shake the jar every now and then?
Elaine
Did you pit them, Kim? If not definitely let it infuse longer. Is the vodka turning reddish? I would take a little spoon of the vodka and taste it after a week just to see if you can taste some cherry flavor. If so, I’d either give it a few more days, or call it good. And definitely shake it at least once a day.
Jen E
Can you use frozen cherries?
Elaine
Yes you can. I’ve done it a few times but I prefer fresh! Keep your eye on it to make sure you don’t develop any mold. Chances are you wont but it’s a consideration.
Pam
Do you use tart or sweet cherries?
Elaine
Sweet Pam, so bing cherries.
Gomez
I’ve infused with Meyer’s Lemons, Key Limes and Mangos. The limes were too hard on the knuckles. The lemons are fantastic. Will try the cherries tonight. I don’t like vodka so I use Everclear and then dilute to the desired ABV or Proof. I usually smooth it down with just. A little simple syrup at the very end. The citrus infusions are great added to an IPA or in a new-fangled Old Fashioned. Important: dilute it down…it’s a little “hot” if you don’t reduce the proof to something in the 30-50 range. Everclear draws out the color and flavor quickly, but it’s also 190 proof!
Elaine
I can imagine that it does need some dilution with Everclear! I love lemon infusions and Mangos, but haven’t tried limes yet. It’s on my todo list! I can see why you add simple syrup to citrus, but try the cherry infusion without first, you can always add it later, but you can’t take it out. Thanks for your comment as I appreciate it!
Laura
This looks wonderful!! I was looking for cherry vodka, and my small liquor store in town only had one cheap ($9) bottle and it was pretty gross…. I want to make this, but can I just store it in the liquor cabinet or does it have to be refrigerated or used right away?
Elaine
Thanks, Laura! I love this vodka. And you can store it in your liquor cabinet. I make a bunch every year and it stays just as good as when I first made it. I use it up within a few months but I have also had infused vodka for over a year, so you are good.