Sea Buckthorn Vodka (облепиховая настойка) is readily available in Russia and Ukraine, and it's the next new vodka infusion you need to try! Even if you could buy it, it wouldn't taste the same as this tasty homemade version. Bold and tangy with a citrus twist, you'll love this in shots or as a healthy tincture.
Sea Buckthorn berries are bright orange berries that are astringent, oily and sour, but are highly nutritious. It's eaten as a food source, has medicinal qualities and used for skincare. Originates from Mongolia, Russia across to Northern Europe. Enjoyed in jams, added to juices, as a Sea Buckthorn Tea and Liquors.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Unique - this isn't your average vodka infusion, it's sweet and tangy and will be the talk of your table when sharing with guests
- Easy - vodka infusions are incredibly easy to make, any adult can do it!
- Nutritious - enjoy as a medicinal tincture, rich in fatty acids, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Vitamin A and carotenoids
Ingredients
- Vodka - 750ml to 1 Litre bottle
- Sea Buckthorn Berries
- Sugar - or can substitute with honey
How to Make Sea Buckthorn Vodka
- Prepare - place Sea Buckthorn Berries into a sterilized jar.
- Sweeten - add ½ cup of white sugar, or dilute Honey in Vodka until dissolved.
- Add Vodka - pour vodka into the jar of Sea Buckthorn Berries and sugar.
- Infuse - close the jar and keep in a cool, dark place for 2-4 weeks. Shake the vodka infusion every few days.
- Strain - using a strainer, separate the vodka and the sea buckthorn berries.
- Squeeze - place vodka infused berries into a metal sieve. Using a spoon, squeeze the juices from the pulp. Discard the pulp and seeds. Pour the berry juice into the infused vodka.
- Bottle - pour Sea Buckthorn Vodka into an airtight bottle. Keep refrigerated to serve cold.
Vodka Variations
- Citrus Twist - add a few strips of orange zest or lemon zest into your infusion
- Cinnamon Twist - toss in a cinnamon quill for a spiced flavor
- Vanilla Bean - add vanilla bean into the infusion
Recipe Tips and FAQs
- Mash the Berries - before adding vodka into the infusion, you can mash the berries to break them up. This results in a cloudier tincture mixture. For a clearer infusion, keep the whole and carefully strain through a cheesecloth before bottling.
- Double Strain - for a clean and clear infusion, strain twice through a cheesecloth of a coffee strainer
- Adjust Berries - add more berries or less, depending on your preferences
- Sea Buckthorn Liqueur - make it sweeter by doubling the amount of sugar to make a liqueur. Alternatively, after infusing you can add sugar syrup until you reach desired sweetness
- Use High % Alcohol - infusions work best with a higher alcohol ie. 100 proof or 50%
- Oil Will Separate - Seabuckthorn berries are oily, and this can cause your completed infusion to separate. Just give it a shake before serving.
Where Can I Find Sea Buckthorn Berries?
They do grow in colder Northern climates and have now been exported to North America. However, your Russian store or Eastern European store will be the best place to find them imported.
Can I Use Frozen Sea Buckthorn Berries?
Yes, this is the most common way to buy them. No need to defrost them ahead of time, as they are clean and ready to go. You can also used dried Sea Buckthorn but will need to significantly increase infusion time to gain benefit.
Storage
Sea Buckthorn Vodka will last up to a year if refrigerated or frozen. However, best enjoyed within a few months of making.
How to Use Sea Buckthorn Vodka?
- Dinner Party Drinks - when you have guests over, impress them with your homemade infusion
- Cocktails - add them to citrus based cocktails for a flavor boost
- Mixer - add to 7-Up or Sprite as an mixed drink, or into your favorite juice
- For Your Health - as the saying goes... Na Zdarovye! Enjoy the health benefits as a tincture (some say it boosts immunity). Add extra berries to maximize the vitamins in tincture. I love the extra vitamin boost when I have a cold.
Vodka Recipes to Try
This Sea Buckthorn Berry Vodka recipe is a winner, and worth the effort to source the Seabuckthorn Berries. As the saying goes "Life is too short to drink boring vodka" and I'm sure everyone will love this refreshing drink. Bon Appetit! Приятного аппетита!
Sea Buckthorn Vodka
Ingredients
- 750 ml Vodka
- 2 cups Sea Buckthorn Berries
- ½ cup Sugar or 3 tablespoons honey
Instructions
- Prepare - place Sea Buckthorn Berries into a sterilized jar.
- Sweeten - add ½ cup of white sugar, or dilute Honey in Vodka until dissolved.
- Add Vodka - pour vodka into the jar of Sea Buckthorn Berries and sugar.
- Infuse - close the jar and keep in a cool, dark place for 2-4 weeks. Shake the vodka infusion every few days.
- Strain - using a strainer, separate the vodka and the sea buckthorn berries.
- Squeeze - place vodka infused berries into a metal sieve. Using a spoon, squeeze the juices from the pulp. Discard the pulp and seeds. Pour the berry juice into the infused vodka.
- Bottle - pour Sea Buckthorn Vodka into an airtight bottle. Keep refrigerated to serve cold.
©PetersFoodAdventures.com
Leave a Reply