Spiced Honey Vodka

This is a dangerously tasty spiced honey vodka recipe that I have perfected over the years. It has some similarities to Polish Krupnik, but with several variations. It makes a nice dessert liqueur or food gift to friends during the holidays.

• Preparation Time: 10 mins
• Cooking Time: 10 mins
• Total Time: 20 mins
• Calories: 172 Calories

Ingredients

• ¼ cup water
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon whole black peppercorns
• ½ teaspoon whole cloves
• 1 (1 inch) piece vanilla bean
• 1 medium lemon, zested
• 2 pods cardamom
• 2 medium oranges, zested
• 2 pods star anise
• 1 cup honey, or to taste
• 1 (1 inch) piece fresh ginger, thinly sliced
• 1 small bunch fresh mint
• 1 liter vodka, or to taste

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Bring 1 cup honey and water to a boil in a saucepan while stirring. Immediately reduce heat to low once boiling. Scrape the vanilla bean contents into the mixture and add the pod. Stir in ginger. Add orange zest, lemon zest, mint, nutmeg, cloves, peppercorns, star anise, and cardamom. Cook over low heat, stirring, 5 to 8 minutes.

Step 2

Pour mixture into a wide-mouth, sealable bottle. Add 1 liter vodka and seal. Allow ingredients to steep together for 3 weeks, agitating occasionally.

Step 3

Pour vodka through a strainer or cheesecloth and taste for sweetness. Add more honey or vodka to acquire the right level of sweetness (it should taste quite sweet, but everyone has their own personal preference.) Serve neat at room temperature.