Cranberry Lime Vodka

This recipe is so easy, you can make it in your sleep. Well, at least I hope you sleep while it’s “cooking”! It takes a week or two, so you still have time to make it for Christmas if you have someone that loves cranberries and vodka.

(Adapted from Fancy Napkin)

This is all you do: Cut a bunch of cranberries in half, and slice a lime into thin wedges. Layer them in a jar. I used a small jar because I only wanted a little, but if you are making it for friends for the holidays, you probably want to use a larger jar and a lot more cranberries.

This is a pint jar and it took about 1/3 of a bag of fresh cranberries. I used 1/2 a lime I think but next time I would use less lime to bring out the taste of the cranberries more.

Fill the jar amost completely with fruit, then pour in vodka so it more than completely covers the fruit. (Use whatever vodka you like … the cheap kind is fine because the fruit flavors will overpower the vodka anyway.) Cover tightly and store the jar in a dark place for a week or two, making sure to visit it and shake it up every couple days to distribute the flavors.

After the “resting period”, strain the fruit out by pouring into a cheesecloth covered strainer over a bowl and squeezing all the juices out of the fruit, then funnel into a pretty jar (or whatever your little heart desires).

You will have a beautiful ruby red vodka. It’s going to be sour because cranberries and limes are naturally sour. You probably want to add a bit of simple syrup (recipe below) to sweeten it up. I wanted it sour because I have some champagne that is too sweet and I wanted something to tone that sweetness down a bit, but if you want your vodka a little sweeter, add some of the simple syrup below.

Fancy Napkin has a fantastic recipe for Crantinis using this vodka!

Simple Syrup

• 3/4 c. water
• 1/3 c. sugar
• 1 T. grated lime zest

Mix the sugar, water, and lime zest in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over med-high heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Let cool to room temperature. Add a bit of syrup to the cranberry lime vodka and shake, then taste. Add more until you have the desired sweetness. Save the rest of the simple syrup for another occasion (like berry liqueur!)

This recipe has been shared at Tuesday Talent Show.