The Perfect Spiced Cranberry Vodka Infusion

When it comes to crafting cocktails that truly stand out, the secret often lies in the ingredients. The Infused Spiced Cranberry Cocktail is a festive cocktail that unlocks holiday flavor with our perfect spiced cranberry sous vide infusion! Combining the bright notes of fresh cranberries, orange zest, and cinnamon, infused into a quality vodka, this drink is sure to impress at any celebration.

Why Sous Vide for Spirit Infusion?

Sous vide—a cooking technique that involves vacuum-sealing ingredients and immersing them in a temperature-controlled water bath—is perfect for infusing spirits. This method allows flavors to meld together seamlessly, ensuring that every sip delivers a balanced taste. Unlike traditional infusion methods, which can take days or even weeks, sous vide accelerates the process by gently heating the liquid and allowing consistent temperature control for ingredient interaction.

Using a chamber VacMaster vacuum sealer such as the VP95, ensures that your ingredients are perfectly sealed for optimal flavor extraction. Paired with a VacMaster sous vide circulator, you can achieve professional-grade results with minimal effort.

The Recipe: Sous Vide Infused Spiced Cranberry Cocktail

This festive cocktail starts with a sous vide-infused cranberry vodka, blending flavors of orange and cinnamon into a smooth spirit. The instructions yields 4 drinks, adjust your amount based on need. Here’s how to make it.

Infused Vodka Ingredients: (yields 4 drinks)

• 1 cup vodka
• 1/2 cup fresh cranberries
• 1 orange peel (zested)
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 tablespoons sugar

Garnish Options:

• Sugared cranberries
• Fresh rosemary sprig
• Orange slice

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Infused Vodka

1. Combine Ingredients: Place the cranberries, orange peel, cinnamon stick, and sugar into a vacuum-sealable bag. Pour in the vodka, ensuring the cranberries are submerged. Massage the bag gently to mix the ingredients evenly.
2. Vacuum Seal: Using a VacMaster chamber vacuum sealer, seal the bag to lock in the flavors.

Sous Vide the Infusion

1. Set Up Your Circulator: Preheat your VacMaster sous vide circulator (such as the SV5) to 135°F (57°C).
2. Cook: Submerge the vacuum-sealed bag in the water bath. Allow it to infuse for 2 hours, letting the heat and sealed environment work their magic.
3. Cool: Once done, remove the bag from the water bath and cool it in an ice bath for 15 minutes.

Strain and Store

Strain the infused vodka into a clean glass bottle or jar, discarding the solids. Store the vodka in the refrigerator until you’re ready to craft your cocktail. (Tip, cut a small corner part of the bag to help strain the solids. A food grade funnel with coffee filter helps remove the zest and other particles)

Mix the Cocktail: VacMaster Holiday Cheer

Ingredients:

• 2 oz infused vodka
• 2 oz sparkling cranberry juice
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. In an old-fashioned glass, add two to three ice cubes.
2. Combine 2 oz of the infused vodka with 2 oz sparkling cranberry juice. For a non-fizz option, replace sparkling cranberry juice with sweetened cranberry juice.
3. Garnish with your choice of a fresh rosemary sprig, sugared cranberries, or an orange slice.

Try Your Own Infusions with Sous Vide

Infused spirits like vodka, using the sous vide method takes flavor infusion to an entirely new level. Whether you’re a home entertainer or a sous vide enthusiast, creating infused spirits with a chamber vacuum sealer and a VacMaster sous vide circulator ensures vibrant, consistent flavors—all in a fraction of the time traditional methods require. Best of all, the process is easy and fun! Try experimenting with your favorite spirits and ingredients to create unique, flavorful infusions tailored to your taste.