I am admittedly a person that does not like to wait for things to be ready to use. A day is fine–this past week (or rather 8 days) has been filled with anxiety. This may be why I haven’t tried making wine…or why I make hot process soap. Instant gratification.
Last week, I started infusing vodka with cranberries and vanilla beans–Cranberry Vanilla Vodka. Everyday this past week when I was in the pantry, I swirled the vodka, cranberries, and vanilla beans around inside my pickle jar.
While it only needs to infuse for a week, a couple weeks are fine. But I’ve been impatient! One week was enough and I finally found some time to filter it last night.
When I opened the jar, I was amazed that it smelled “smooth”, much smoother than the vodka when I poured it in. I’m afraid I won’t be giving the full bottle, I will have to sample first…it just smells good!
First I strained it through a mesh strainer.
I stirred it up and pressed it through to get all the liquid.
I’m reserving the cranberry vanilla “mash” for further experimenting. Isn’t that a beautiful shade of red? Into the freezer it goes!
Then I tried straining through a coffee filter. Absurdly s.l.o.w. Like drip…drip…drip. (Something to do with not being able to wait…) I wish I had a milk filter. I think coffee filters are for hot liquids, not cold.
So, onto several layers of a flour sack towel.
There’s a steady flow, now we’re in business.
This is just beautiful. Such an amazing red. Much nicer than I see in the stores. See? Homemade is better.
Funnel into your bottle. I don’t have to steal out of the bottle! There is plenty for a drink or two for me 🙂
With a little raffia, it’s ready to gift.
And with a little orange juice, a Cranberry Tart is ready to drink. Cheers!
Cindy blogs at Our Life Simplified. Do you have a recipe post or kitchen-related story to share on the Farm Bell blog?
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Sonia says:
Now that looks yummy! Can I have a sip.. :))
On December 15, 2011 at 6:28 am
Lorraine Swazey says:
Oh CindyP-this is too fabulous! I cant wait to try it-making it that is!! Well I will have to taste it too-before I gift it out-you know just to make sure……..
~~Rain 🙂
On December 15, 2011 at 7:13 am
Debbie says:
LOVE the way this turned out and the label is absolutely beautiful!
On December 15, 2011 at 8:13 am
Pete says:
So, did it taste as good as it looks?????
On December 15, 2011 at 9:42 am
JerseyMom says:
Yum! I’m going to have to give this a try. I’ve made cranberry liqueur before and it’s fabulous. Takes longer though…..
On December 15, 2011 at 10:12 am
aprilejoi says:
Lovely!
On December 15, 2011 at 12:09 pm
bonita says:
I knew there was a reason I was saving those cranberries! Yum.
On December 15, 2011 at 2:11 pm
Ewenique says:
Cindy, love the label and the whole presentation. I look forward to seeing what you do with the leftovers. After watching you dry the leftovers before and making powder, I now save mine too! I think of all that I have thrown away not knowing what else to do with it.
On December 15, 2011 at 2:20 pm
Amber says:
Yum! I wish I was drinking that right now!
On December 15, 2011 at 4:16 pm
Sonia says:
OK, my 2 weeks of waiting are over and I just filtered my batch into 2 bottles. I was going to just let the mash sit for 1 week, but the flavor just kept getting more intense with each day, so I left it for 2 weeks. OMG!!! Delicious, Devine…I cannot find the right word to fit. It is just heavenly goodness! I used the metal coffee filter instead of the paper, and it worked beautifully. No slow drip with that little wonder. Thanks Cindy for a fantastic Cranberry Vanilla Vodka recipe. It is definitely a winner!
On December 31, 2011 at 6:05 am
Laura davis says:
CindyP,
The paper coffee filter might have worked in the wire strainer for the second filtering? Those coffee filter baskets usually have some little flap on the bottom that opens only after you seat it on the coffee pot lid.
I love your recipes and ideas. You are very talented, great looking vintage label. Any ideas for infusing chocolate?
Laura
On February 18, 2012 at 4:34 pm
CindyP says:
It was the filter itself that wasn’t allowing it to strain…the basket was from a Bunn with no flap.
No idea for infusing chocolate…not sure exactly what that would involve, but I can research!
On February 19, 2012 at 9:16 am
bonita says:
I’m available for taste testing!
On February 22, 2012 at 6:06 am