Global Concoctions

In addition to having eight dedicated followers, I'd like to announce my blog has now gone international.

What? That's great, you say? You betchya!

According to Blogger's map, someone in Canada has now viewed my blog. I'm going to pretend for one moment that my Canuck pal Christa wasn't the one who graced me with a click and instead, imagine that total strangers in Canada are catching the infusion craze. Can you believe it?!?!?! There are Canadians with Mason Jars out there making marshmallow vodka!

Maybe not, but a guy can dream.

Stay tuned. I'm about to crack my blackberry vodka open and I'm pretty excited about it!

Cheers,

Craig

Summer Berry Vodka Infusion

With the exception of the marshmallow infused vodka, I’ve had a very berry time infusing things for you. But I had “berry” high hopes for this one. What, too cheesy? Never! Not this lactose intolerant guy! Hey-Oh!

Like all good concoctours (i just made that word up), I took a sip before publishing this blog. Holy cats man, this infusion takes the cake. Perhaps one of the best fruit infusions I've done yet. I'm not even joking. You'll have to try it to see what I mean. So, where did I find this delicious recipe, you ask?

A drink so nice, I tried it twice!

A couple years ago, I went big. I wanted my own infusion jar for big projects. So, I went online and nabbed a great jar from the good people at www.infused-vodka.com. And wouldn’t you know it, the thing came with a recipe book. Now, I don’t just infuse out of this book, but it’s been very handy on occasion. If waiting for my blog posts to come out is wearing on your patience and you’re not much for Googling creative recipes, get your own copy of their infusion recipe book here.

Oh, and when making this infusion, be careful. Berries will stain!

Preparation Time: About 15 minutes

Infusion period: 5 days

Materials you’ll need:

·      1 pint of fresh raspberries

·      1 pint of fresh blackberries

·      One quart-sized canning jar

·      375ML of vodka (or more if you like)

·      wire strainer or a coffee filter (not pictured)

·      funnel (not pictured)

Recipe:

·      1 pint fresh raspberries

·      1 pint fresh blackberries

·      375 ML vodka (or just fill your jar all the way up, like me)

Servings:

Approximately 17 ounces.

How to make this tasty drink:

1.     Wash your fresh berries, removing any bad berries.

Strawberry cutting board
not included.

2.     Pour in 375 ML of vodka. If your canning jar has a measurement on the side like mine, use it to measure your vodka. (Quick note: Someone once asked me if you had to add the vodka first and my answer is simple; nope! You can do this in whatever order you want. After you are done, you are going to shake the dickens out of it anyways. I supposed, however, adding the vodka at the end would speed up the process a tad. I’m just lazy and don’t like to dirty multiple measuring cups.)

3.     Add your berries to your canning jar.

4.     Seal your jar (duh)

5.     Don’t forget to add your “ready” date.

6.     Shake it up.

7.     Store in a cool dry place.

8.     Shake well every day, or even a couple times a day if you’d like. The key to this tasty drink is the juices.

9.     Optional: strain from your canning jar into another container with a coffee filter or cheesecloth if your guests are squeamish about the berry bits.

How to drink your tasty drink:

Much like most infusions, you can serve this vodka infusion many ways.

My taste test included drinking this warm, like the manly man I am. But, for you pansies out there (aka, me for all future tastings), you may want to consider chilling before serving or serving over ice.

This vodka was so flavorful that it may be nice to drink chilled in a martini glass straight up, but I'd imagine it would taste great with soda water, tonic water or a white soda.

What I learned after doing this for the very first time:

The finished product!

I tried something new this time. I sipped a partial shot of this drink with someone else so I could get their reaction from it. And what better a person than your intern? Talk about intern hazing. "Hey, come over here and drink this" isn't exactly something you can say to an intern who you don't know very well. That's why I was lucky this particular intern has been interning for me in various capacities for the past two years; a total partner in crime. Don't worry, she's over 21 and I only gave her a half a shot (friends don't let interns drive drunk).

Her reaction was the same as mine. First and foremost, this was the best smelling infusion yet. The color is a bit dark due to the blackberries, but the smell could draw an entire room full of people in. And  this infusion tastes just as flavorful as it smells! Wow. While she shot her portion, I sipped it and savored it. You know, swishing it around in my mouth a little bit like you see those wine tasters on TV do. I had no idea what I was doing, but I do know for sure that I had just made something magical. Trust me, don't shoot this, savor it. 

Want some fun mixed drinks?

Summer Berry Vodka Splash:
Add 1 oz. of Cointreau, 5 oz. cranberry juice and 1 oz. of your Summer Berry infusion in a tall glass of ice. Garnish with a lime.

Recipe Alterations:

As I’ve already admitted, this recipe calls for 375ML of vodka but I almost never stick to that. I filled my infusion jar all the way up. Hey, I'm of modest means and want to stretch my booze a bit further.

If you enjoy this blog (and if you like creative booze), please consider signing up on the right side of this blog to follow by email. 

Back at it

When I first created this blog, my personal goal was to publish a new infusion about ever week or so. I'm not sure I ever really promised you this lofty goal, but I promised myself. And predictably, I have failed you (me).

Too busy to blog? Yes.
Too busy to drink? Nope.

So what gives?

I feel like I owe you an apology. And by you, I mean all 7 of you who are signed up to receive my blog posts via email and the one guy who "subscribed" to this blog via Blogger. So here goes...

I was robbed. Someone broke right into my house, and stole my laptop, my Mason Jars and my glass flasks. It was tragic. The police thought it odd that someone would steal five jars of moonshine and a few bottles of cheap Brandy, so they blew me off.  

Don't believe me? 

Okay, that's not true. 

Not in the least. 

The truth is, work got in the way. 

When using a martini shaker, I've always
found it important to add my own fun!
Note, this isn't my house.
Way too classy for me.

Now, I know what you are thinking, "Craig, what job could you possibly have that could get in the way of booze?" I could tell you, but when I started this blog, I vowed to leave work out of it (sort of...with the exception of this post...). So let's just say this. For the past several years, I've been working for a secret society of ordinary humans who do extraordinary things. No I don't wear tights and a cape (this part is true), so get your mind out of the gutter. I actually wear this really strong yet light weight weaponized metal suit with rockets under my feet that allows me to fly (or jeans and a button down shirt). I have a boss that I've never met (read: see regularly) who sends me and my friends around the world (read: surrounding counties) to defeat the bad guys (read: this part is actually kinda true). My boss was recently up for a pretty big promotion in the crime fighting industry and I spent a lot of time helping him out. I'm proud to announce, mission accomplished!

Don't worry, I might have been too busy to blog, but I haven't been too busy to share my infusions. I recently attended a fun party where my buddy's wife and I got a bit tipsy off marshmallow vodka. It was delicious!  

Now, with the professional excitement out of the way, I can finally get back to you, the most dedicated eight people I've ever met.

So strap on your seat belt, because this infusion world is about to take off! I have a friend who's promised to try bacon infused bourbon and guest blog about it right here. Others have suggested I try some really fun stuff in the future. It's all coming. 

In the meantime, if you've got something that you want me to post, just leave me a comment. I'll try anything once... well, almost anything!

Cheers,

Craig

Raspberry Vodka Infusion

As my Man (blog) Overboard post alluded to, I went a little bonkers at my local Farmer’s Market near the end of June. The result was lots and lots of berries. If you are lucky enough to live in a part of the world that didn’t have a diminished berry crop this year, go hog wild. Otherwise, I’m afraid you might be stuck buying from your local grocery store.

If you are skipping your workout to make this infusion, don’t feel too bad about yourself. Why? Did you know raspberries are really good for you? It’s among the plant foods with the healthiest contents (I think). They are a rich source of vitamin C, manganese and are rich in antioxidants. Take that, oxidants!

So there you have it, skip your workout for the betterment of all your friends’ inebriation, um… er…. I mean health.

So, without further ado, I give you… raspberry vodka.

Easy to make, easy to drink!

Preparation Time: About 10 minutes   

Infusion period: 4-7 days

Materials you’ll need:

·      1 pint of fresh raspberries

·      One quart-sized canning jar

·      375ML of vodka (or more if you like)

·      wire strainer or a coffee filter (not pictured)

·      funnel (not pictured)

Recipe:

·      1 pint fresh raspberries

·      375 ML vodka (or more)

Servings:

Approximately 14 drinkable ounces if you fill your entire 1 quart Mason Jar after adding your 1 pint of fresh raspberries.

How to make this tasty drink:

1.     Wash your fresh raspberries, removing any bad berries.

2.     If your canning jar has a measurement on the side like mine, use it to measure your vodka.

3.     Add your berries to your canning jar.

4.     Seal your jar (duh)

Voila!

5.     Don’t forget to add your “ready” date. 

6.     Shake it up.

7.     Store in a cool dry place.

8.     Shake well every day, or even a couple times a day if you’d like. The key to this tasty drink is the juice.

9.     Optional: strain from your canning jar into another container with a coffee filter or cheesecloth if your guests are squeamish about the berry bits.

How to drink your tasty drink:

Much like most infusions, you can serve raspberry vodka many ways. At room temp, cooled in your freezer, over ice or in a martini.

What I learned after doing this for the very first time:

A good scientist always tests their experiments. I’m pretty excited about how the raspberry turned out. Straight up, this drink is pretty dynamic. At first, you taste vodka, with the strong flavor of raspberries chasing quickly behind it. I think the beverage would make for a very interesting mixed drink with soda water, tonic water or a white soda like sprite or 7-Up.

Almost ready to enjoy.

Also, someone asked me if the beverage would get more flavor if you muddle your berries. Muddling the berries will give your drink an unappetizing look, so you’ll have to strain the dickens out of it before serving to guests.

Finally, in the interest of science, I tasted the raspberries. Much like most of my infusions thus far, they tasted very boozalicious and lacked all the flavor of a fresh raspberry. This doesn't surprise me, as much of the berry flavor has been pulled into the vodka. Still, not bad!   

Want some fun mixed drinks?

Raspberry Lemon Drop:

Mix 1 oz. lemon juice, 1 oz. of your raspberry vodka infusion and 1 tsp. sugar in a martini shaker with ice. Shake your little heart out and pour it into a shot glass. I’m told it tastes great when you rim the shot glass with sugar.

Finished product. Yum!

Here’s another to try:

Raspberry Martini

3 oz. Raspberry Vodka, 1 oz. Triple Sec, 1/2 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice & 1/2 oz. Simple Syrup

Mix the above with ice in a martini shaker cup, pour and enjoy!

Recipe Alterations:

I’m interested to hear your feedback. Please, let me know what you think!

Jackpot!

Do you ever play old-school slot machines? You know, the ones with the lever you pull rather than the button you push to make the magic happen. Exciting! 

Mmmmm. Tart Cherries!

Well, I'm beginning to understand why there was only one fruit in the game.

Strawberries? Nope!

Pineapple? Nope!

Apples? Nope!

Of course, you've already guessed, it's cherries. Why? Simple. Because the search for the cherry is one of the most invigorating hunts in the world. Think about it. Flushing birds out and shooting them out of the sky? Meh. Being really quiet in a small stand up in a tree all day long waiting for one deer to come along so that you can kill Bambi? Whatevs. Letting dogs loose to run around the woods trying to scare a bear up into a tree and then shooting the bear? Lame. 

Now, hunting for tart cherries during a season in which the weather nearly decimated the entire crop, that's pretty exhilarating. Now try hunting for cherries a full 2.5 hours south of Door County, Wisconsin. Yes, Door County isn't just the place where my best friend's parents own the best little jewelry store in the world, it's also the home of tart cherries. Last week, I was told by 10am that the entire tart cherry crop had been sold out for that week. At another Farmer's Market, I was told there simply wouldn't be any tart cherries this year. Sad.

Special thanks to:Door County Fruit Markets
6421 Hwy 42
Egg Harbor, WI  54209
920-743-7434

This morning, I went back to the stand that ran out early and followed the woman's advice: "Son, if you want to make your cherry bounce this year, you have to get here early next week."

So last night, I didn't go out with friends. I didn't drink, save for a glass of wine with my dinner. (What? It's been a long week. Stop judging me!) I just went to bed early. My alarm woke me up so early I was still yawning on the way to the Farmer's Market. But it was all worth it. 

Here's my $60 haul!

Peaking out over the rising sun (not really) with slow build up music playing on my iPod (not really), there it was... the cherry stand. And when the woman told me that I got there early enough to buy tart Door County cherries, I shrieked like a 13-year-old girl at a Justin Bieber concert (on the inside. no really, i swear, I didn't shriek in public. Well, okay. Maybe just a little bit...).

I know it's been since my birthday since my last post, but hold onto your britches. I've got raspberry and a summer berry mix in the hopper and I'm about to dazzle you with cherry bounce (my all time favorite). So, stay tuned to your email if you are a subscriber. And if you're not? Hey, there's no better time to subscribe than the present. 

In the meantime, go grab some tart cherries or go visit my surrogate parents' store and hit an orchard to pick your own. Stay tuned,  I'll talk you through how to turn your tart cherries into deliciousness very soon!

Cheers,

Craig

A birthday let down

Today's my birthday.

Yup. The BIG ... oh, I'm going to keep you guessing. I look a lot younger than I really am, and while that completely sucked in high school, it's paying big dividends now!

It's been a while since I last posted, so I wanted to give you a birthday update. I've been serving infusions randomly to friends. Last week, I served an entire 16 oz. flask of strawberry vodka in mini shots to my softball team and our wonderful (three) fans. It went over pretty well, although I am sure some of them would have preferred an iced cold Miller after playing in 100 degree heat.

I've also been serving the marshmallow, as I made a lot of it. The best feedback I've gotten is that it tastes just like marshmallows. I guess that means I did it right!

Since today is my birthday, I should get anything I want, right? WRONG. First thing this morning, my lady and I hit the Farmer's Market and the nice man behind the cherry table totally ruined my birthday when he broke the bad news to me; he isn't sure the tart Door County, Wisconsin cherries are going to make their way down to Madison this year because the crop was decimated due to the extreme heat and then refreezing we got this Spring.

Instead, I bough sweet cherries and removed the pits and made some sweet cherry bounce this morning.

No time to type it up. I gotta run and pick up my lady from the gym. Yup, I infuse while she works out. It's a great relationship!

So, now I've got sweet cherry bounce and raspberry vodka in the hopper. I'll pick one and post the recipe after my birthday is over.

Until then, cheers!

Craig

Happy Canada Day!

While, the kids of South Park might be busy blaming Canada, I spent yesterday celebrating Canada Day one day early.

Did I buy little red and white flags to celebrate the birth of Canada?

Canada Day is July 1,  so drink up!

Nope.

Did I rush out to the emergency room and demand universal health care?

Nope.

Did I sing "Oh Canada" at the top of my lungs in a busy street?

Wrong again.

Give up? I got a little tipsy off some red (strawberry) and white (marshmallow) infused vodka. Thanks Canada for giving me the excuse to party like it's 1867!

Cheers,

Craig