What Is Raspberry Vodka?

Raspberry vodka is an alcoholic beverage that is infused with the flavor of raspberries, sometimes with other berries or fruit flavors. Commercially available brands of this drink are typically clear in color, which resemble standard types of vodka but are infused with the taste and aroma of raspberries. It is also possible to make raspberry vodka, though the resulting drink is often much stronger in sweetness and berry flavor and can take several weeks to make. This beverage has just as much alcohol content as any other vodka, so it should only be consumed by individuals of legal drinking age in their country.

The basis for raspberry vodka is typically an alcoholic, distilled spirit that is produced from the fermentation of various grains or potatoes. Different brands of vodka can use a range of products for fermentation, though grains like wheat and rice are quite common, and potato vodka is popular in certain regions. This is then distilled for a certain period of time, depending on the maker of the vodka, prior to bottling and selling. A number of ingredients can be infused into the vodka, and raspberry vodka often uses raspberries and citrus to add flavor and a fruity aroma to the drink.

Raspberry vodka can be made using fresh or frozen raspberries and a bottle of plain vodka. Any brand of vodka can be used to make this, though the final product is only as good as the ingredients that go into making it. Frozen raspberries are typically used to make raspberry vodka, and they are usually heated in a pan along with water and sugar to create syrup. This is cooked briefly until the sugar dissolves completely and the raspberries become soft and begin to break down, at which point it is placed in a large container and combined with a full bottle of vodka.

Lemon juice or orange zest can be added to this raspberry vodka, and then it is kept cold and allowed to blend for several weeks. Over time, the vodka breaks down the raspberries further and extracts as much flavor and aroma from them as possible. After several weeks, the raspberry vodka is strained to remove all solids from it, including the soft remains of the berries, which are typically squeezed gently during straining. The remaining liquid is fairly thick and has a deep red color. It is quite sweet from the syrup and berries, with a tartness that is underlined by the vodka flavor and can be sipped plain or used for mixed drinks.