About the Recipe
Make Homemade Berry Lemon Infused Vodka with fresh berries, bright lemon zest, and premium vodka for cocktails, entertaining, or homemade gifts.
Bright, colorful, and wonderfully refreshing, this Homemade Berry Lemon Infused Vodka Recipe combines ripe mixed berries, fragrant lemon zest, and smooth premium vodka. The result is a vibrant fruit-infused spirit with natural berry sweetness, gentle tartness, and a lively citrus finish.
Strawberries provide a sweet, juicy foundation, while raspberries contribute a pleasant tang and blueberries add depth. Fresh lemon zest lifts the fruit flavors without introducing the bitterness that can come from the white pith. As the mixture rests, the vodka gradually draws out the fruit’s beautiful color, aroma, and flavor.
This simple homemade infusion is an excellent choice for summer cocktails, holiday entertaining, and thoughtful gifts. Serve it chilled, pour it over ice, combine it with sparkling water or lemonade, or use it to add fresh fruit flavor to martinis and other cocktails.
Because the infusion requires only a few ingredients and about 15 minutes of preparation, most of the work happens while the sealed jar rests in a cool, dark place. Taste the vodka after five days and continue infusing until it reaches your preferred balance of berry and citrus flavor.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Infusion Time: 5 to 7 days
Total Time: 5 to 7 days, 15 minutes
Yield: Approximately 750 ml
Ingredients
1 bottle premium vodka, 750 ml
1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
1/2 cup fresh raspberries
1/2 cup fresh blueberries
2 medium lemons
1 tablespoon honey, optional
1 large sterilized glass jar with a tight-fitting lid
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the Berries
Wash the strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries thoroughly. Pat the berries completely dry with paper towels. Hull and slice the strawberries into smaller pieces to expose more surface area and encourage a flavorful infusion.
Step 2: Prepare the Lemons
Wash and thoroughly dry the lemons. Use a vegetable peeler to remove thin strips of yellow zest, avoiding as much of the bitter white pith as possible.
Step 3: Fill the Jar
Place the strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and lemon zest in the sterilized glass jar. Add the honey at this stage if you prefer a slightly sweeter infusion.
Step 4: Add the Vodka
Pour the vodka over the berries and lemon zest, making sure the fruit is completely submerged. Seal the jar tightly and gently shake it to combine the ingredients.
Step 5: Infuse the Vodka
Store the sealed jar in a cool, dark place for 5 to 7 days. Gently shake the jar once each day to redistribute the fruit and encourage the flavors to infuse evenly.
Step 6: Taste the Infusion
Begin tasting the vodka after the fifth day. If you prefer a stronger berry or citrus flavor, allow it to infuse for up to two additional days.
Step 7: Strain the Vodka
Place a fine-mesh strainer over a clean bowl or measuring pitcher and line it with cheesecloth or a coffee filter. Pour the vodka through the prepared strainer. Allow it to drain completely, then discard the berries and lemon zest.
Step 8: Bottle and Store
Transfer the strained Homemade Berry Lemon Infused Vodka to a clean, sterilized glass bottle with a tight-fitting lid. Store it in the refrigerator or a cool, dark cabinet until ready to serve.
Notes
For the brightest flavor, use fresh, ripe seasonal berries without bruised or spoiled areas.
Dry the fruit thoroughly after washing it to prevent excess water from diluting the vodka.
Remove only the yellow portion of the lemon zest. White lemon pith can give the finished infusion an unpleasant bitter flavor.
Choose a smooth, good-quality vodka that you would enjoy drinking on its own or in a cocktail.
For a stronger citrus flavor, add the zest of a third lemon. Check the infusion regularly because extended contact with citrus zest may eventually create bitterness.
Frozen berries can be substituted when fresh berries are unavailable. Thaw and drain them before use. Frozen fruit may produce a cloudier infusion, but it will still provide plenty of berry flavor and color.
Honey is optional. It creates a slightly sweeter infusion and may require additional shaking to dissolve completely.
Serve the vodka chilled or over ice. It also pairs well with sparkling water, lemonade, tonic water, or fruit juice and can be used in martinis and other fruit-forward cocktails.
For the best quality, use clean, sterilized jars and bottles and keep all fruit submerged during infusion. Discard the infusion if it develops mold, an unusual odor, or any other sign of spoilage.
Properly strained and stored, the infused vodka will maintain its best flavor for up to three months.
Must be 21 years of age or older to purchase or consume alcoholic beverages. Please drink responsibly.
