Orange Infused Vodka

Vertical view of two small bottles of vodka with oranges in the back - square

Making orange infused vodka is an easy and delicious way of upgrading any of your favorite fruity cocktails. Say goodbye to store-bought flavored vodkas made with artificial flavors and get ready to fall in love with this homemade infused vodka!

Course Cocktail

Cuisine American

Keyword citrus vodka, fruit infused vodka, infused vodka, orange infused vodka

Prep Time 5

Infusion time 5

Total Time 5 5

Servings cups

Calories 99kcal

Author Elaine Benoit

Equipment

Ingredients

1 large naval orange (washed)
2 cups vodka (approximately - you will pour the vodka in the jar with the orange)

Instructions

Wash the jar with warm soapy water, rinse and dry thoroughly.
Cut the oranges in thin wheels and then cut the wheel in half.
Add the sliced orange slices in the jar. Don't stuff it as you need room for the vodka.
1 large naval orange
Pour the vodka into the jar to cover the oranges.
2 cups vodka
Screw the cover on the jar and vigorously shake it. Store in a cool place like a pantry. Make sure it is out of direct sunlight. I infuse my vodka on the kitchen counter.
Vigorously shake the jar two times a day. Once at breakfast time and the other at dinner time. Do this for 5 - 7 days.
When the orange vodka is done, line a sieve with cheesecloth and place in a large glass bowl.
Pour the contents of the jar into the sieve. Lift it and tilt it to let all the vodka drain off the fruit.
Pour into the glass container you're going to store it in. I use decorative bottles.
Make a cocktail with the vodka.
Enjoy

Notes

Helpful tips

One of the things I love about an infusion is YOU control the ingredients, so you know exactly what is in it.
Whenever making cocktails or infusions, you need to wash the fresh fruit very well to get all the pesticides off. Here's how - squirt some unscented, natural soap in your palm and rub your hands over the fruit. Then take a vegetable brush and brush the skin. Run cold water over the fruit, making sure to rinse off the soap.
You can use any variety of oranges, but I prefer and recommend naval oranges.
I use a good solid vodka like Ketel One or Absolut. But if you're budget conscious, then use what you can afford.
I bought good sized oranges, so my infusion took one naval orange plus one wheel slice from another. Buy 2 oranges just to be safe.
Don't stuff the jar with the oranges as you need room for the vodka.
Although you will pour the vodka directly over the oranges, I was able to get 2 cups in the jar.
You don't need to refrigerate this infused vodka, it will keep perfectly in your bar until the very last drop.
I like to use decorative bottles. Since I'm using only 2 cups of vodka, I use two little ones.

Nutrition