A vodka infusion is a flavored liquor that is created when vodka is flavored with one or more flavorants. Vodka infusions may be homemade or they may be bought in liquor stores.
By definition, vodka infusions do not contain added sugar; such beverages are called liqueurs.
The flavoring agents are added to the vodka, which is left to steep in a sealed container for a period of time. This period can range from hours to months depending on the ingredients. After this period, any solid additives are removed from the vodka and the infusion is then filtered to remove smaller particles. After this, the vodka infusion can be left to age for a period of time to allow flavors to mature.
The art of creating a vodka infusion is knowing how long to leave the ingredients to steep. The different flavors will be infused into the alcohol at different rates and so it is important to know how long it will take for the right flavors to be infused and how long it will take before bad flavors begin to develop.
A vodka infusion is sometimes referred to as schnapps in North America, although the original schnapps of Central Europe are made in a different way.
Numerous flavors of flavored vodka are commercially available, including açaí, apple, bacon, banana, blackcurrant, blueberry, bubble gum, buffalo grass, cherry, chili pepper, chocolate, cinnamon, clementine, coconut, coffee, Cotton Candy, grapefruit, lemon, lime, lychee, mango, marshmallow fluff, melon, mint, orange, passion fruit, peach, pear, pineapple, plum, pomegranate, raspberry, root beer, rose, Salmiakki, smoked salmon, strawberry, tangerine, vanilla and whipped cream.