Vodka Infusions: Hot and Spicy Cinnamon

Looking for a heartwarming autumnal drink? Try this delicious cinnamon infused vodka!

Autumn is really starting to take shape as we begin the descent to winter: the leaves are falling off the trees, there's a nip in the air, and the distinct smell of comfy wood-fueled home fires can be smelled wherever people live. It's at this time of the year people are starting to keep their houses, and themselves, nice and toasty warm. One good way to keep warm to drink a nice warming spirit, and this is such a spirit.

The slow infusion of cinnamon bark stick into the sweetened vodka brings out a beautiful golden colour, like a hearth fire. As you drink it, it warms your throat and then the centre of your body. Enjoyed in a small amount, this really is a delicious treat.

Infusing vodka for other clear strong spirits is a very simple and fun project that has endless possibilities! Vodka can be infused with dried spices, such as cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, star anise, or cardamom, and also vanilla pods. It can also be infused with herbs, like peppermint or basil (don't knock it), citrus zest, and even tea leaves or ground coffee. With all the innumerable flavour sources and combinations therein, you could become a vodka alchemist.

I find, though, that the infused spirits always taste better if you add a little sugar and a pinch of salt. Unseasoned infused vodka can taste very flat. You could use any kind of sugar or sweetener, like brown sugar, golden syrup, honey, or white sugar. I find a ratio of one part sugar, to 5 parts spirit works best, but you can experiment with your own batches. But just remember, you can always add more sugar, but you can't take it away.

This batch of cinnamon vodka was very, very hot and spicy, which I how I like it, and I make mine with just cinnamon sticks and white sugar. However, if you want it to taste more soft and warm, you can use brown sugar or honey instead of white sugar, and you can even add a seeded vanilla pod for a delicious cinnamon roll flavour. The world's your oyster!

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DIFFICULTY

Easy!

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INGREDIMENTS

500 millilitres (2⅛ cups; 17½ UK fluid ounces) vodka, white rum, or other clear spirit (40% ABV; 80 Proof)

100 grammes (3½ ounces; ½ cup) sugar

Pinch of salt

4 or 5 cinnamon sticks

Optional: 1 deseeded vanilla pod

HOW-TO

• Clean a glass 700 or 750 millilitre (1¼ UK pints, 3 cup) bottle, such as a wine bottle, and pour in the sugar, salt, and vodka.
• Put the cinnamon sticks down the neck of the bottle, breaking them if necessary, and close the lid tightly.
• Shake the bottle until the sugar is dissolve completely. Store the bottle in a cool, dark place for 4 to 7 days. Fewer days will yield a much weaker infusion, more days will yield a stronger infusion. I infused mine for 5 or 6 days (I can't quite remember) and it was nice and spicy.
• Once the infusion is as strong as you want it to be, strain the vodka into a large jug and remove the spices. Return the strained vodka to the bottle, close, and keep in a cool dark place.