Christmas Countdown- Day 8

Christmas Countdown- Day 8: Get Your Infusion On

The Sous Chef and I have gotten way into DIY this year.  If we're out and we taste something great, we're like "we could totally make that at home."  And more often than not, we totally can.  When we were in NYC at the beginning of the month, we had some great spicy bloody marys at the Hop Devil Grill's brunch.  And I had a great spicy comso at Dos Caminos.  That is where we came up with the great idea of making our own infused vodkas. 

I am not a vodka snob, by any means.  Especially if I am going to be mixing it up in various cocktails.  We bought a giant bottle of Svedka vodka, split it up into 3 large mason jars, and went to town.  We made two big batches of pineapple infused vodka.  It was pretty good.  Our big winner?  Habanero infused vodka.  Not for the faint of hair, but definitely for the fan of flavor.  We took 5 habaneros, cut slits in them, and put them into the mason jar, and then added a third of the giant bottle of vodka.  So easy a caveman could do it.  (Sous and I are in the insurance industry and yes, we still find these commercials hilarious).  We placed the cover on the jar and set in on the floor of our coat closet for 5 days.  The result?  Pure fiery heaven.  We made the best batch of bloody marys yet with this vodka.  And then another batch.

Here is my no fail bloody mary recipe.  I just subbed our vodka for regular vodka or Absolut Peppar, which WAS my favorite vodka until Friday night.
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If mixed drinks aren't your bag, here are some additional holiday beverages that Sous & I have been enjoying this year.  Get 'em while you still can.  Christmas is SO not long enough.

Criminally Bad Elf- barleywine at its best:

Mad Elf- honey and fruit notes.  Score!

 

Rogue Yellow Snow- This is my all-time favorite beer.  Name turn you off?  Good! More for me.

Pink moscato! It's pink, it's moscato, and it's bubbly.  Win! Both Barefoot and Allure make a great one, and the price points are very similar.

Gazela was on my Thanksgiving serving guide and it's staying on here for Christmas.  A fabulous crisp white wine at an amazing price.  Wine Nation in Millbury MA has it for under $5 a bottle.

Layer Cake Wines- Go ahead and indulge.  It's the holidays, and you've earned it!  Never had a bad wine from these folks.  If you're a red wine lover, the Shiraz is unbeatable.