Gift Idea: Infused Vodka {Tutorial}

Being a teacher allows me to have a nice {much needed} two week break from work. Therefore, I have been busying myself with Christmas crafting. I know I usually post all of my paper crafts, as this blog is called Paisley's Paperie, but I have decided to post some of my recent crafts that involve different elements. I'll just put them in a separate category. :)

FRUIT INFUSED VODKA

My husband and I decided to infuse our own vodka, bottle it, and distribute it as Christmas gifts to some of our family members. So here's how we did it...

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Materials For the Infusing Process:
1. 2 handles of vodka: Absolut and Rue 33
2. Various fruits: Blackberries, Blueberries, Strawberries, and Mangos
3. Cutting board and knife
4. Large mason jars
Directions:
*Sterilize all of the mason jars. You can do this by putting them in the dishwasher, or by filling each one up with water and zapping it in the microwave until boiling. That way any impurities are killed.
*Clean all of the fruit.
*Chop the fruit {if needed} We chopped the stawberries and mangos, but we left the blackberries just as they were. The blueberries were also put in whole, but we pierced each one to help with the infusion.
*Fill each mason jar half-way with fruit.
*Add the vodka to the top and then seal with the sterilized lid.
*Store the jars in a dark cupboard for 3-5 days
*Shake the jars each day {this was a favorite task of ours}

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Materials For the Bottling Process:
5. Fancy 17 oz. "swingtop" bottles {I ordered from here}
6. Funnel
7. Coffee Filters
8. Custom Labels
9. Embellishments {twine and buttons}
Directions:
*Remember to wash the bottles first!
*Place a coffee filter in a large funnel and then start pouring in your first flavor. The filter ensures that you won't have any "floaties" in your Vodka.
*When each flavor has been bottled you can make custom labels to make it look "official." I made my labels on Microsoft Word and printed them on fabric and brown packaging paper. I liked the paper labels better because it was easier to read. Check out the pictures below. My hubby was the "taste tester" and his favorite flavor was Strawberry with Mango in close second. However, you can be as creative as you want. When I was researching I came across SEVERAL interesting flavors...bacon, Skittles, Bubble gum, hot dog, and SNAKE just to name a few...So, I guess, make your favorite treat a vodka drink! That can be my new slogan! ;)