Holiday Berry Infusion

Okay, in fairness this isn’t really a dessert and there’s no real reason why it has to be limited to holiday time. In fact, it’s probably easier to get the fruit during the summer than in the middle of December. SO why is this a Holiday Berry Infusion?

Every year we host a big tree trimming party in early December, and this has been a staple of the part for years. Because it’s easy to make (if you plan), gorgeous to look at, and everyone LOVES it. It’s also SUPER alcoholic. Like – it will seriously sneak up on you because it’s so sweet.

You can drink it straight, or in a spritzer with seltzer which seems to be the best way. It’s delicious straight, but since it’s almost pure alcohol…but you can’t taste it…it packs a huge wallop. You can also eat the fruit, just beware that by the end of the infusion process they, too, are mostly alcohol.

Just a couple notes – First, you’re going to need a rather large jar to prepare this in, and it is so much better if it’s clear so you can see the beautiful color. Also, this takes 7 or 8 days to make, so plan ahead and be patient. It is TOTALLY worth it.

Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

· 1 basket (6 oz) of fresh raspberries

· 1 basket (6 oz) of fresh blackberries

· 3 pounds of fresh strawberries

· 2 cups sugar

· ½ t vanilla

· 6 cups vodka

Directions

Yup, that’s it.

Wash the raspberries and blackberries and spread them out to dry on a paper towel. Wash the strawberries, then cut off the tops and core them, and cut them in half (or thirds if they’re super big). Spread them on the paper towel as well.

Layer half of each of the berries (half the raspberries, half the blackberries and half the strawberries) into the jar and cover with 1 cup of the sugar. Next, repeat that step layering the second half of berries and covering that with the second cup of sugar.

Pour the vodka over the berries, add in the vanilla and cover the jar.

Note…the vodka is clear….at least to start with

Once a day, gently stir the mixture. You don’t want to go too hard and break up any of the berries, just enough to mix everything together so that the sugar eventually dissolves. Each day the liquid will get a little darker until by the end of the week it’ll be a gorgeous crimson color.