Yum Peaceful Cooking: Garlic Basil Infused Vodka

Thursday, April 19, 2012

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.

National Garlic Day 2012 Button 

 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

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

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.

6 comments:

  1. Oh my gawsh, Dani - I absolutely ADORE this! I'm definitely going to be trying it...you're right, that cloudy green color is beautiful and I can only imagine the amazing spell. Penne with Vodka Sauce - oh YEAH! And how's about we garnish that beauty with a garlic-stuffed olive? For good measure, ya know ;). AWESOME!

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  2. Oh, this also belongs on Cocktail Puppy! LOVE love love this post. I am a Martini girl for sure and this post is most inspiring :-)

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  3. Heather...I have sooo many plans for this stuff...i might have to make more LOL

    Pierce...YES...it does belong on Cocktail Puppy. I'll be posting over there this weekend along with a few other drinks (if they turn out they way I invision).

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  4. Beautiful pictures and I'd love to sit down and have a martini with you. I wouldn't be able to throw the garlic out either!

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  5. Very creative! Would have never thought about adding basil and garlic!

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  6. Wow anything garlicky ...am in:) This is such a great idea...bookmarking it:)

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