There's nothing quite like the scent of fresh roses, jasmine, lavender or gardenias to conjure memories of sun-kissed skin, warm nights and the carefree feeling of summer. So why not capture those scents, bottle them and... drink them? Seriously!
Infusing liquor at home is all the rage right now - and for good reason! Because it is a neutral spirit, vodka lends itself most easily to flavor infusions - even strange ones, but it's not the only game in town - gin is also a viable option. While herbal and vegetable/fruit infusions are quite flavorful, most flower infusions are more about fragrance than flavor. You may be thinking "Well then, what's the point?" We experience food (and drinks!) with all of our senses: first we see, then smell, then taste and feel - only um, enhanced by the sounds of utensils clinking against plates and glasses. The point being, the scent of a dish is just as important as it looks and tastes -- and the same goes for drinks, ask Chef Grant Achatz, known for serving dishes with accompanying aromatics (like grass and leather) to enhance the flavor.
Infused Ideas
Design*Sponge has an excellent DIY how-to guide for infusing liquor at home.
Spiked Lavender Lemonade Refreshing on a hot summer's day, this is not a recipe for the lemonade stand!
Lavender French 75 Formerly served at Midi in San Francisco, substitute lavender infused vodka for an elegant upgrade.
The Provencale Featuring Lavender Infused Gin, who said vodka was the only option>
Anne Marie Tea Blossom" Okay, it's almost as girly as it sounds with chamomile infused gin and St. Germain Elderflower liqueur.
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