Garlic Basil Infused Vodka

 

This is a different kind of dirty martini. 

It's the kind you might want to drink on Vampire's Hell Day....a.k.a. National Garlic Day.

(did she say garlic?) Ooooh, yes I did! This martini is perfect for such a day as this. But only if you love garlic (I don't use the term "love" loosely here...you have to really really looooove garlic) and you're not a vampire. And you're not serving this on a first date. And when you drink this martini, I hope every one with you is also drinking it. Otherwise...you might find that you've been abandoned.

Thanks to Heather over at Girlichef.com I was well informed of the fast  approaching National Garlic Day. In time to participate in her garlicy round-up.

 

 I had just enough time to do a little...infusing. Let's just say, my vodka is healthier than yours. It has to be, right? I mean...a whole bulb of garlic went into this baby. With all the health benefits of garlic, how could my vodka not be healthier?

I'm not going to go into all the health benefits and history of garlic. Let's just get down to business here. 

btw...I found this recipe on About.com 

Garlic Basil Infused Vodka

Printable Version

1 bulb of garlic (bulb...not clove)

2 large sprigs of fresh basil

750 ml premium vodka

32 oz jar with a lid

Separate the cloves of garlic and remove all the skins. Combine the garlic, basil and vodka in the jar. 

Cover and store in a dark place, at room temperature, for 4 days.

On the forth day...it will look something like this......

Not as pretty as the first day....but man, does it smell good!!

Strain it though a coffee filter

Store in a pretty little jar the same way you'd store your regular vodka

I just love that cloudy olivey green shade it has. And the aroma.....YUM!!  The garlic flavor is very strong....which is a good thing in my book. The basil notes are just plain delightful. I think I want to add some to my next batch of marinara sauce. Actually, I have lots of plans for this vampire repelling alcohol. 

P.S. When you strain the garlic and basil from your vodka, save all that garlic. There's still flavor there. I put mine in a little jar....placed them in the fridge and will be using them whenever I think of it. They don't taste like vodka. More like a milder garlic.  I dunno...smell em, taste em...judge for yourself. I just hate the idea of tossing those little nuggets of goodness.

Let's start off with something rather common...a martini. I'll post about my other plans in the feature.

Vampire's Hell Martini

Printable Version

1.5 oz Garlic Basil Infused Vodka

.25 oz Dry Vermouth

Lemon Zest to garnish 

Olive to garnish

Shake or stir the vodka and vermouth with ice. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with lemon zest and an olive if desired. 

Cheers and good riddance to all those blood sucking vampires out there. Unless you  happen to be a friend of mine. If that's the case, just....don't tell me. And by all means...today, don't bite me.