Firewater + fiery cinnamon? Yeah, baby! Before we ever made our first batch, we'd already thought up so many ways to use homemade cinnamon vodka. If you're like us, and the ideas are already whirling in your mind (imagine the possibilities!), check out our tutorial for how to infuse vodka with cinnamon and some cinnamon vodka recipes to get you started. You're welcome.
How to Infuse Vodka With Cinnamon
The most difficult step in this whole process is the waiting. From the second we dropped our cinnamon sticks in the vodka, our mouths were watering, and our cocktail glasses seemed woefully empty. But wait we did, and the result was totally worth it.
Ingredients & Supplies
- 3-4 whole cinnamon sticks
- 750mL vodka
- Two large clean bottles or jars
- Cheesecloth or other fine strainer
- Funnel
Instructions
- In a large, clean bottle or jars, combine your cinnamon sticks and vodka.
- After sealing them securely, give the cinnamon and vodka a gentle swirl to start mixing things.
- Store the containers in a cool, dark place for approximately 3 to 4 days. Each day, give the infusion another gentle swirl.
- After time has passed, have a sample of the infused vodka by pouring it into a glass and giving it a taste. If you want more cinnamon flavor, allow the flavors to hang out together longer, continuing to swirl each day.
- If the flavor is what you want, then carefully remove the cinnamon sticks and discard them. Alternatively, you can use the cinnamon sticks to make a boozy cinnamon simple syrup (we did!).
- Carefully funnel the vodka into the clean bottle, using a cheesecloth or other strainer to catch any remaining cinnamon sediments.
- Seal and store in a cool, dark place.
You can use the infused vodka immediately, and it will keep well in a cool, dark place for one to two years without flavor being affected. However, discard when the flavor starts to fade or tastes "off." As if it will last that long.
Variations of Cinnamon-Infused Vodka
Cinnamon is a beautifully singular flavor that pairs well with so many other herbs, fruits, and spices. The hardest part is deciding where to start.
- Add an unpeeled, sliced apple or two for that signature and beloved cinnamon apple flavor.
- Drop-in ten to twelve unwrapped soft or hard caramel candies for a sweeter vodka.
- Add in a cup of pitted and coarsely chopped cherries or pitted and sliced plums for a fruitier flavor. Likewise, a sliced and unpeeled pear adds another level of flavor.
- If you're in search of rich spice notes, add ½ to one tablespoon of cloves, a tablespoon of peeled and sliced ginger, a tablespoon of coarsely chopped nutmeg, ½ full tablespoon of star anise, and a whole vanilla bean.
- Create a little zip by adding a cup of coarsely chopped whole coffee beans.
- Talk a walk on the sweeter side by adding a quarter cup of coarsely chopped pieces of chocolate. You can also add a quarter cup of honey or maple syrup.
- Kick things into a nuttier gear by adding a half cup of coarsely chopped almonds, pecans, or walnuts.
- Make a super sweet cinnamon vodka by adding 1 cup of Red Hots candies or cinnamon imperials.
Cinnamon-Infused Vodka Cocktails
Few flavors are as iconic as cinnamon, so it's a no-brainer to pair a cinnamon vodka with a classic cocktail or even a modern spin.
Cinnamon Martini
Put your cinnamon vodka on an elegant pedestal with a martini.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces cinnamon-infused vodka
- ¾ ounce vanilla liqueur
- ¼ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Ice
- Apple slice for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, cinnamon vodka, vanilla liqueur, and lemon juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into the chilled glass.
- Garnish with an apple slice.
Cinnamon Mule
Ginger and cinnamon are a match made in spiced mule heaven.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces cinnamon-infused vodka
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- Ice
- Ginger beer to top off
- Mint sprig for garnish
Instructions
- In a rocks glass or copper mug, add ice, cinnamon vodka, and lime juice.
- Top off with ginger beer.
- Garnish with a mint sprig.
A Happy Pear
Skip the apple flavor pairing in favor of its just-as-tasty cousin: a ripe pear.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces cinnamon-infused vodka
- ¾ ounce pear liqueur
- ¾ ounce elderflower liqueur
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Ice
- Pear slice for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, cinnamon vodka, pear liqueur, elderflower liqueur, and lemon juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a highball glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with a pear slice.
Cinnamon Apple Highball
Skip apple dessert and the pain of making baked apples in favor of this easy-to-make and even easier-to-enjoy highball.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces cinnamon-infused vodka
- ¾ ounce apple liqueur
- ¾ ounce simple syrup
- ¼ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Ice
- Ginger ale to top off
- Apple slice for garnish
Instructions
- In a highball glass, add ice, cinnamon vodka, apple liqueur, simple syrup, and lemon juice.
- Stir to mix.
- Top off with ginger ale.
- Garnish with apple slices.
Mixers for Cinnamon Vodka
If a full cocktail recipe is a bit too much, you can enjoy your cinnamon vodka with a mixer — or even a few!
- Plain club soda
- Flavored club soda such as lemon, cherry, or vanilla
- Ginger ale
- Ginger beer
- Coffee
- Apple juice
- Apple cider
- Tea, such as chai, apple, lemon, or black
- Cherry juice
- Maple syrup
- Caramel
- Pear nectar
- Orange juice
- Brown sugar
- Rum
- Orange liqueur
- Simple syrup
- Whiskey
- Coffee liqueur
- Chocolate liqueur
- Almond liqueur
- Irish cream
Spice Up Your Life With Cinnamon-Infused Vodka
Nothing adds a little heat, a little spice, and a whole lot of flavor like cinnamon. It's a smooth and easy way to give any classic cocktail a much-needed facelift or doll up a simple highball. Run, don't walk, to your spice cabinet. And when you've had your fill of cinnamon, you can always try some other flavored vodka drinks.
