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(This article was originally published on August 10, 2022 and was last updated on August 10, 2022)
Fresh blueberries and fresh basil leaves are two of summer flavors that work perfectly together, and this basil and blueberry infused vodka is a genius way to combine the two. Homemade basil blueberry vodka marries sweet, fruity, and herbacious, making it perfect for an ice cold cocktail on a hot summer day or evening.
3 Ingredient Basil & Blueberry Infused Vodka
Like other infused vodka recipes, this homemade basil and blueberry vodka infusion is super simple to make.
You need just 3 ingredients, a few basic pieces of kitchen equipment, and about 15 minutes of active time (plus 3 days to 1 week of waiting).
It uses fresh aromatic basil leaf, fresh blueberries (frozen blueberries could also work), and vodka.
The TLDR? You throw them all together in a clean, airtight glass jar (i.e. a mason jar), seal the jar, and stick it in a cool, dark spot for 3 to 7 days, shaking each day, before straining and…
Voila – you’ve got a lovely DIY infused vodka flavored with sweet blueberries and basil leaves to enjoy on ice or with your favorite mixer or drinks recipes.
Why Make Your Own Basil and Blueberry Vodka
This homemade blueberry vodka with basil is a key ingredient in my basil and blueberry vodka lemonade recipe (along with lemon basil simple syrup, fresh lemon juice, and muddled basil).
And in my opinion, it’s worth making this basil blueberry vodka just so you can enjoy it in the boozy lemonade.
However, you aren’t limited to using it in a vodka lemonade recipe, and can use it in other basil blueberry drinks, such as a basil blueberry martini, basil blueberry margarita, basil blueberry smash…you’ve got options!
Vodka infusions also make a great holiday gift, hostess gift, housewarming gift, etc.
Equipment You’ll Need to Make Blueberry Vodka with Basil
To make this homemade basil and blueberry infused vodka, you’ll need a few basic pieces of kitchen equipment:
- Two clean and dry, airtight jars, such as mason jars. You need one to actually make the recipe and let it steep, and one at the end of steeping, when you want to separate the flavored vodka from the basil and blueberries.
- A fine mesh strainer or something else to strain with (speaking from personal experience, a clean, unused reusable coffee filter works).
- A funnel to help contain and transfer the infused vodka, once it’s done steeping.
- A cook, dark place to set the basil and blueberry flavored vodka while it steeps for 3 to 7 days.
How to Make this Basil and Blueberry Flavored Vodka
Start by ensuring you have a clean, dry, and jar with a tight fitting lid to use for the infusion process – I used a mason jar, which worked well.
Then wash and dry the blueberries and basil. I used about a cup of fresh basil leaves, and around 1/3 cup of fresh blueberries. I also used fresh berries, but you can use fresh or frozen blueberries if they are out of season where you live.
For the basil, simply pinch the leaves off the stems, wash and pat the leaves to dry, and use as is – there’s no need to chop or tear the basil leaves.
Combine the Ingredients in an Airtight Jar to Start the Infusion Process
I layered in the basil first, then tossed in the blueberries.
Then fill up the clean jar with vodka and seal the jar tightly. Give it a shake before finding somewhere to store it – ideally a room temperature or cool spot that’s dark and out of direct sunlight.
Each day, give it a little shake, and simply leave it for 3 days to around 1 week. I infused my vodka for about 5 days and it is delicious, but you can infuse it a few extra days if you want more flavor.
When it comes time, strain the blueberries and basil out of the vodka with a fine mesh sieve, coffee filter, or cheesecloth and a funnel.
You’ll be left with a gorgeous, yellow-ish green flavored vodka that’s delightful in cocktails!
A Note About the Quality of Ingredients
When making a flavored vodka, consider what you’re going to do with it before hand, which should help you decide how much to spend on the vodka base.
If you’re only going to use your DIY basil and blueberry vodka for cocktails, a cheaper or middle of the road vodka will suffice, as it will take on the blueberry flavor, as well as those of the other cocktail ingredients, and you’ll be less likely to notice that it’s a cheap vodka!
However, if you plan on drinking it straight, on the rocks, or with a flavorless mixer – i.e. soda water – you might want to splurge on a premium vodka.
I personally chose to use Finlandia Vodka for my blueberry basil vodka. It’s considered a premium vodka, but isn’t as expensive as some other brands.
Substituting Berries
Generally speaking, berries go well with basil, so if you’d rather substitute the blueberries for raspberries or strawberries, I say go for it.
How to Store Your Basil and Blueberry Vodka Infusion
The exact shelf life of infused vodka is debatable, but I tend to err on the side of caution with these things. While some sources suggest it will last indefinitely, or for years at least, I like to make smaller batches that will be consumed within a few months.
On the “it will last forever” side of the argument, people argue the alcohol in the vodka will prevent any mold or bacteria from developing. However, the vodka I used for this recipe – Finlandia – is 40%, which is below the 60% threshold recommended by experts.
Making smaller batches means you’re less likely to have the quality and flavors degrade, and it’s likely a safer bet from a food safety point of view, too. If you’d like to be extra safe, store the infused vodka in the fridge (I don’t do this myself, but it’s an option!).
Basil Blueberry Infused Vodka
Basil blueberry infused vodka is an easy, 3-ingredient recipe to add plenty of herbal and fruity flavor to your vodka. Drink it on the rocks or in a cocktail.
Ingredients
- 1/2 to 1 cup fresh basil leaves (I used sweet basil for this recipe)
- 1/3 cup fresh blueberries
- Vodka to top up the jar
Instructions
- Wash and pat to dry the basil leaves and blueberries. Remove basil leaves from stems.
- Add basil leaves to clean jar, and toss the blueberries on top.
- Top up the jar with vodka, and seal with a tight fitting lid.
- Place the jar somewhere cool and dark, away from direct sunlight, for 3 day to a week. Shake daily.
- When you're happy with the vodka infusion, strain the basil and blueberries out with a fine mesh sieve and a funnel. I like to transfer my basil blueberry vodka to a fresh, cleaned and dried mason jar, and let the sieve catch the basil leaves and whole blueberries.
- Enjoy on its own or in a cocktail!
Kathleen is on a weird mission to taste all of the world’s basil, and shares her experiences cooking with and growing basil as she goes.