Vodka Berries Romanoff, Orange Peel Vodka, Lemon Vodka Whipped Cream, Vanilla Vodka

Here is a recipe that uses with vodka. If we can cook with all these other spirits, why not give a try to vodka?:) It doesn't effect the taste of the dish, but gives it a great kick. It's from the Vodka Cookbook which is a great cookbook. But I do skip the steps of preparing the infused vodkas at home.

Nowadays, you don't really have to prepare vodkas infused with anything. They sell them ready and I buy the vodkas infused with vanilla and oranges ready because I never think to prepare things two weeks ahead:) It works out just fine. But just in case you want to prepare them yourself, the recipes are below.

The presentation of this dessert with all the berries is really mouthwatering. Enjoy:)

VODKA BERRIES ROMANOFF

Ingredients:
2 pints strawberries or mixed berries
1 tablespoon powdered sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
4 tablespoons Orange Peel Vodka (see recipe below) or vodka
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup vanilla ice cream, softened
1 cup Lemon Vodka Whipped Cream (see recipe below)
2 tablespoons shredded fresh mint leaves

Directions:
Wash, hull and dry the strawberries or rinse the berries. Toss in the sugar and lemon juice and arrange on a serving platter.

Whisk together the Orange Peel Vodka and sour cream in a large mixing bowl.

Stir in the ice cream and fold in the Lemon Vodka Whipped Cream.

Pour the cream mixture on top of the berries or serve on the side. Decorate with fresh mint.

ORANGE PEEL VODKA
Ingredients:
3 large oranges
3 cups vodka

Directions:
Wash the oranges. Using a zester of vegetable peeler, peel the skin to create narrow ribbons. Scrape away any remaining pith. Put the peel into a large jar and add the vodka. Store in a dark, dry place for about 2 weeks, shaking the jar occasionally.

Strain through cheesecloth, discard the peel and store in a bottle ready for use.

LEMON VODKA WHIPPED CREAM
Always make whipped cream fresh. Don't even think about making this ahead of time or refrigerating it for future use. Makes about 1 1/2 cups

Ingredients:
1 cup whipping cream
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
2 tablespoons Vanilla Vodka (see recipe below)

Directions:
Whip the cream until stiff in a large, chilled bowl.Gradually stir in the sugar and vodka.

VANILLA VODKA
Ingredients:
5 vanilla beans
2 cups vodka

Directions:
Split the vanilla pods lengthwise down the center to expose the seeds, keeping the ends of the beans intact. Place the beans with the vodka in a large jar with an airtight seal. Store in a dark, dry place for at least 4 weeks, shaking the jar several times each week.

When ready, transfer the extract and the beans to a bottle. As you use the extract, top off with more vodka to replenish your supply. The beans will continue to impart flavor for many months.

Wild Berries Splash AND Wild Berry Caipiroska

It is so hot out there, so I was looking for something refreshing and ran into these great vodka drinks that are simple and also very refreshing. Just what the doctor ordered for hot days:)

Try the vodka which is infused with boysenberries, strawberries, raspberries, wild mountain berries and black raspberries. Just to give a try to this vodka is probably worth making this drink. Enjoy:)

WILD BERRIES SPLASH

Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz Finlandia Wild Berries Vodka
Sprite
Splash of Grenadine

Mixing Instructions:
In a tall glass, pour vodka over ice and fill with Sprite. Add grenadine on top and garnish with fresh berries.

WILD BERRY CAIPIROSKA

Ingredients:
2 oz Finlandia Wild Berries Vodka
2 oz sweet and sour mix
4 fresh raspberries
4 fresh blackberries
2 fresh lime wedges
1 teaspoon of sugar

Mixing Instructions:
With a muddler or wooden spoon, muddle berries and lime wedges with sugar in a short highball glass.

Fill glass with crushed ice and add vodka and sweet and sour mix.

Either shake and pour back into glass or stir briskly. Garnish with fresh berries.

Russian Toast with Bananas Flambe & Raspberry-Lime Vodka Sauce

This one is a really elaborate brunch dish, probably best when you have company. I found it when I was looking for vodka drinks, and had to make a note of it. It sounds delicious. And I thought, enough of drink recipes, let's get back to food anyway:)

I have not tried this recipe, but plan on doing so one day. Until then I'm just posting the recipe so that I don't lose it.:) If anyone tries it, please give us feedback.

RUSSIAN TOAST WITH BANANAS FLAMBE & RASPBERRY-LIME VODKA SAUCE

Ingredients:
2 eggs
2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon Vanilla Vodka (see recipe below) or vanilla extract

4 thick (about 1-inch) slices of dense bread, cut diagonally to make 8 triangular half slices
1 cup vodka
2 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons brown sugar
2 bananas, thickly sliced

Raspberry-lime Vodka Sauce (see recipe below), warmed

1/2 cup creme fraiche or ricotta cheese
1 lime, cut into wedges, to serve

Directions:
Whisk the eggs in a shallow bowl with the sugar, salt and Vanilla Vodka.

Lay the bread slices in a large dish or platter and pour about half the vodka over them.

Melt half the butter in a skillet over a moderate - high heat. Cooking in batches, dip 3-4 vodka-soaked bread slices into the egg mixture and place in the skillet. (Be sure to cover the slices completely with the egg, but do not allow the egg to soak completely through the break or it may break apart.)

Cook the slices until medium brown on both sides, about 2-3 minutes each side. The slices should be crisp on the surface, but tender inside. When ready, cover to keep warm and set aside. Repeat with the rest of the bread.

Add the remaining butter and brown sugar to the pan. As soon as the sugar has completely melted, add the sliced bananas and cook until slightly tender and coated in the butter/sugar mixture, about 1 minute. Add the remaining vodka to the pan and ignite (stand clear!).

Immediately top two slices of toast per plate with some of the bananas flambe and drizzle with Raspberry-lime Vodka Sauce. Add a large dollop of creme fraiche or ricotta cheese and a lime wedge. Serve to applause.

Serves 4

RASPBERRY-LIME VODKA SAUCE

Ingredients:
1 pound fresh raspberries, or defrosted frozen raspberries
2 tablespoons Vodka Simple Syrup (see recipe below)
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
Grated zest of 1 lime
3 tablespoons of Lemon Peel Vodka (see recipe below)

Directions:
Combine all the ingredients in a blender or food-processor, pulse to a chunky mixture and store in a glass jar in the refrigerator until needed. Raspberry-lime Vodka Sauce will keep for about a week in the refrigerator.

VANILLA VODKA

Ingredients:
5 vanilla beans
2 cups vodka

Directions:
Split the vanilla pods lengthwise down the center to expose the seeds, keeping the ends of the beans intact.

Place the beans with the vodka in a large jar with an airtight seal. Store in a dark, dry place for at least 4 weeks, shaking the jar several times each week.

When ready, transfer the extract and the beans to a bottle. As you use the extract, top off with more vodka to replenish your supply. The beans will continue to impart flavor for many months.

VODKA SIMPLE SYRUP
Sugar is slow to dissolve, especially in cold food or drinks, so Vodka Simple Syrup to the rescue.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups still mineral water
2 pounds granulated sugar
1/2 cup vodka

Directions:
Bring the water to the boil in a large pot. Reduce the heat to moderate, add the sugar and stir until it dissolves completely.

Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes until the mixture has a syrup consistency.
Add the vodka, mix well and cool.

Transfer to a jar or container and reserve for use.

In a tightly sealed container, Vodka Simple Syrup keeps indefinitely, though it may begin to crystallize over time. If it crystallizes, simply warm the container in a pot of slow-simmering water.(The recipe can be doubled or tripled as necessary.)

LEMON PEEL VODKA

Ingredients:
4 lemons
3 cups vodka

Directions:
Wash the lemons. Using a zester of vegetable peeler, peel the skin to create narrow ribbons. Scrape away any remaining pith.

Put the peel into a large jar and add the vodka. Store in a dark, dry place for about 2 weeks, shaking the jar occasionally.

Strain through cheesecloth, discard the peel and store in a bottle ready for use.
Makes about 2 cups

Pomegranate Martini

I have been trying different cocktails and ran into this pomegranate martini recipe. Actually there are so many different ones out there that it gets to be very confusing. For example, you can also add about 1 oz. of Cointreau liqueur to the recipe below and you still end up with a wonderful tasting martini. And pomegranates are good for you:) Have fun:)

POMEGRANATE MARTINI

Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz. Stoli Blueberi vodka
1 oz. Pom Wonderful pomegranate juice
1 1/2 oz. fresh blackberry puree
1 oz. cranberry juice

Mixing Instructions:
Combine ingredients in a shaker half filled with ice. Shake well. Serve in a martini glass and garnish with a fresh orange slice.

Peach Passion

The picture looked so delicious to me that I had to copy this cocktail. I love peaches too, so this is a wonderful combination of flavors for me. And a good use of vodka:)

PEACH PASSION

Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz. Grey Goose Vodka
1/2 oz. Peach Schnapps
3 oz. Looza peach nectar
1 tsp. orange marmalade
1 tsp. Rose’s Grenadine
4 fresh raspberries
1 sprig of mint

Mixing Instructions:
In a shaker combine vodka, schnapps, peach nectar and orange marmalade. Shake vigorously. Strain into a glass and add grenadine for color. Garnish with raspberries and mint sprig.

Magnificent Melon

I haven't had time to post for a couple of days so I'm adding more than one recipe today.

And I have to have a Vodka recipe if I'm adding drinks to the recipes:) This is a really tasty cocktail for summertime with all the great fruits. Enjoy!!!

MAGNIFICENT MELON

Ingredients:
1 1/2 Part Vodka
1 Part DeKuyper Melon Liqueur
Splash of Pineapple Juice
Pineapple Leaves
Watermelon
Honeydew
Cantaloupe

Mixing Instructions:
Mix in a shaker half-filled with ice. Pour into a chilled martini glass. To garnish, overlap three long pineapple leaves and place into glass. Spear large watermelon, honeydew and cantaloupe balls and place over the leaves.

Italian Lemonade

I thought that since summer is around the corner, and since there has been crazy heat waves going around I should start adding some refreshing drinks that I enjoy. This one is a really interesting cocktail. I think it's a lot of fun. And it sure is not a simple lemonade. Try it and see how you like it.:)

This drink uses simple syrup which is very easy to make and is a staple in any beverage maker's repertoire. In a small saucepan, bring 1 cup of white sugar and 1 cup of water to a boil; simmer until the sugar is dissolved, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely. The syrup will keep in the fridge for at least a month as long as you keep it in a "glass" jar/bottle.

ITALIAN LEMONADE

Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz Belvedere Cytrus Vodka
3/4 oz Campari
1 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
1 oz Simple Syrup
Cold Soda Water or 7-up 2
Lemon Wheels

Mixing Instructions:
In an ice filled mixing glass, add Cytrus, Campari, lemon juice and simple syrup: shake until well blended.

Prepare a 14 oz Goblet by filling with ice and placing the lemon wheels inside the glass so they appear to be floating against the sides of the glass.

Strain drink into goblet while spritzing with soda water or 7-up.

Hurricane

Here is another great cocktail using Rum, mixed with some Vodka. Maybe because of the lemon it's not too sweet. And it is a hurricane when you drink it:) Although you won't feel it for a while and probably have more than one. But be careful, it is potent!

And you can throw some orange and lemon slices in the pitcher and it'll look soooo inviting:)

HURRICANE

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups pineapple juice
1 cup orange juice
1 cup pomegranate juice, preferably a filtered (not cloudy) brand
1/2 cup grenadine
1/2 cup simple syrup
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons lime juice
1 cups light rum
1/4 cup Triple Sec
2 tablespoons dark rum
1/2 cup vodka
Orange slices, for garnish
Lemon slices, for garnish
Maraschino cherries, for garnish

Mixing Instructions:
In a large pitcher combine the pineapple juice, orange juice, pomegranate juice, grenadine, simple syrup, lemon juice and lime juice and stir well to combine. Add the light rum, Triple Sec, vodka and dark rum and stir well. Serve in 16-ounce glasses over lots of ice and garnish each glass with 1 orange slice, 1 lemon slice, and 1 maraschino cherry.

9 1/2 Weeks

This is one delicious drink recipe. It has all the ingredients that I love.

My preference is Absolut Vodka, but of course you can use whichever brand you like, but make sure it is citron, it will definitely taste better.

9 1/2 WEEKS

Ingredients:
2 oz Absolut Citron
1/2 oz Orange Curacao
1 splash Strawberry liqueur
1 oz Orange juice

Mixing instructions:
Combine all ingredients in glass mixer. Chill and strain into Cocktail glass. Garnish with sliced strawberry.