Sweet Strawberry Vodka

I was browsing at a liquor store a while back (doesn’t everyone do that!) and I came across one lonely bottle of strawberry vodka. It wasn’t very expensive, and I was definitely tempted, but sometimes flavored anything can have a chemical flavor instead of a natural flavor. And it seems like strawberry flavor can be the worst if it’s fake. So I passed. Instead, I decided to make my own.

My garden is producing a lot of strawberries, but I’m too selfish to use my home-grown berries for this vodka. They’re just too fun to pick and eat. Warm. Besides, the grocery store berries were very good and sweet right now.

strawberries

I’m not sure if this will end up a strawberry vodka or a strawberry liqueur – I’m kind of hitting it in the middle. And I won’t know the results for a couple of weeks. I’ve sampled a lot of flavored vodkas – especially at wine festivals – but I’ve never come across a strawberry version, except that lone bottle at the liquor store. So I’m a bit excited.

Sweet Strawberry Vodka

Rinse and dry 2 pounds of fresh strawberries. Have 1/2 gallon of good vodka on standby – I used a Texas import called Tito’s.

straw2

Stem them, slice in half, and then place them in a large bowl. Cover the berries with 1 cup of sugar and toss them to coat.

straw

Let macerate for one hour.

straw1

Then place them in a food processor and process until pulpy.

Place the berry mush in as many sterilized bottles as you decide to use. I decided to divide mine into three batches.

straw3

Then add the vodka.

straw4

Shake them up well, cover with sterilized lids, and place the bottles in a cool place for 2 weeks.

After 2 weeks, strain the vodka. Interestingly enough, the strawberries turned white, but the vodka turned a very pretty pink!

straw1

The vodka came out with a definite strawberry flavor, a bit sweet, which is fine, but certainly not sweet like a liqueur. Perfect.

Now what to do with the vodka. I have a lot of ideas. First I tried it with 1/2 and 1/2. Delicious. Then, I added fresca to the same drink. Fabulous! It was like a strawberry vodka-flavored Italian ice!

straw2

Then, I just tried it with fresca by itself, because I enjoy the combination of unflavored vodka and fresca. Also fabulous – with a nice strawberry flavor, but not overly sweet.

straw

Then for my final test of the strawberry flavored vodka, I made a martini of sorts for my husband (they’re just too strong for me.) I added equal parts strawberry vodka, Chambord (raspberry liqueur), and vodka. It turned out to be a very pretty color, and he said it was dynamite, and that I might like it. But, I like cocktails a little more diluted so I passed. The Berry Martini is pictured in the featured photo.

Other ideas:
S V with lemonade
S V with Chambord and champagne
S V with champagne or prosecco
S V with lemon sorbet and champagne
S V with tonic…

In the fall, try Spiced Pear Liqueur, as well as Gingerbread Liqueur!

By Published On: June 21st, 201349 Comments on Sweet Strawberry Vodka

About the Author: Chef Mimi

As a self-taught home cook, with many years in the culinary profession, I am passionate about all things food-related. Especially eating!

49 Comments

  1. apuginthekitchen June 21, 2013 at 10:11 AM - Reply

    I have bottle of Tito’s in my freezer, love flavored vodka’s. I will give this a try!

    • chef mimi June 21, 2013 at 11:12 AM - Reply

      It was way better than I expected!

      • apuginthekitchen June 21, 2013 at 11:14 AM

        I agree, my wine merchant suggested I try it and I was pleasantly surprised. Can’t wait to try this, was thinking of doing limoncello but the strawberry sounds so good have to make it.

  2. Lilly Sue June 21, 2013 at 11:07 AM - Reply

    MMM this looks delicious! :)

    • chef mimi June 21, 2013 at 11:12 AM - Reply

      It was! And it was fun trying out the different drinks!

  3. Francesca June 21, 2013 at 12:19 PM - Reply

    Lovely picture! :-)

  4. Judy Bradford (@JudyBrad1) June 21, 2013 at 12:25 PM - Reply

    Yummmo!!!! Can’t wait for the weekend to begin…looks like this will be at the starting line! Love your posts…thanks for sharing!

  5. Our Growing Paynes June 21, 2013 at 1:31 PM - Reply

    I’m with you on the flavoured booze. Great idea for making your own! Much nicer. :)

    • chef mimi June 21, 2013 at 2:47 PM - Reply

      It is nicer, especially when it’s seasonal!

  6. trixfred30 June 21, 2013 at 2:43 PM - Reply

    I am stunned by the invention here! It looks amazing – i love the way the red leaches out of the berries and ends up in the vodka!

    • chef mimi June 21, 2013 at 2:46 PM - Reply

      It was perfect, if I may say so myself! I’ve only had bad luck with hazelnut liqueur.

  7. cocomino June 21, 2013 at 5:59 PM - Reply

    They look very delicious I want to try this

  8. Choc Chip Uru June 21, 2013 at 6:46 PM - Reply

    Vodka with a makeover, this looks so delicious :D

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

  9. sweetbakedlife June 21, 2013 at 6:52 PM - Reply

    Looks incredible! Yum!

  10. Hannah (BitterSweet) June 21, 2013 at 8:30 PM - Reply

    That sounds so refreshing! I would love to turn those strained strawberries into sorbet, too- No waste here. :)

    • chef mimi June 24, 2013 at 4:06 AM - Reply

      I was afraid they would be too strong for anything, but I should have tried!

  11. dedy oktavianus pardede June 21, 2013 at 8:57 PM - Reply

    i’ve try vanilla bean infused vodka, but none with freas fruits
    i think it would be great if i freeze it…

  12. The Global Garnish Geek June 22, 2013 at 7:18 AM - Reply

    Send me one of those martinis puleeze! Beautiful color.

  13. bakeaffairs June 22, 2013 at 8:13 AM - Reply

    Looks delicious! Great drink, beautiful pictures.

  14. viveka June 22, 2013 at 8:32 AM - Reply

    I love my vodka … but living in the country that created Absolut – of course the best vodka around *laughing

    • viveka June 22, 2013 at 8:34 AM - Reply

      Forgotten to say … that I want my plain – straight from the freezer or with tonic. Just love your photos, but flavored vodka nothing for a viking. *laugh.

    • chef mimi June 24, 2013 at 4:04 AM - Reply

      I think it’s supposed to be one of the best!

      • viveka June 26, 2013 at 2:11 AM

        Yes, it’s – but even if it stands for Sweden … is it today owned by a French company – Pernod.

      • chef mimi June 26, 2013 at 4:25 AM

        I had no idea.

  15. lovinghomemade June 22, 2013 at 1:39 PM - Reply

    Sounds delicious – I bet if you left the strawberries for longer it would get sweeter and more liqueur like…

    • chef mimi June 24, 2013 at 4:02 AM - Reply

      I’m not sure…. I really think they leached out all of the sweetness they had…

  16. bakesinslippers June 22, 2013 at 4:50 PM - Reply

    uh yes please!

  17. Sig June 22, 2013 at 5:39 PM - Reply

    Aiming to adapt this to the Palisade peaches that are so abundant here later in the summer – thanks

  18. yummychunklet June 22, 2013 at 10:42 PM - Reply

    What a refreshing way to sip vodka!

  19. Sophie33 June 23, 2013 at 2:43 AM - Reply

    Thanks so much, Mimi dor this Amazing looking strawberries vodka! A Must make!
    MMMMMMMMMMM! I love these tasty werving tips too!

  20. Fig & Quince June 23, 2013 at 6:10 PM - Reply

    Now we’re talking! ;)

    • chef mimi June 24, 2013 at 3:55 AM - Reply

      No blood was let for this post!

      • Fig & Quince June 24, 2013 at 9:03 AM

        ha ha, exactly!

  21. Ali June 24, 2013 at 3:29 PM - Reply

    That looks so refreshing and delicious! I think with lemonade or prosecco (or both?) would be fantastic!

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