Make Your Own Pomegranate & Lemon Infused Vodka

Pomegranate and lemon zest make a simple flavored vodka for vodka sodas and martinis. You only need three ingredients and a clean jar. Plan on about 3–5 days of steeping in the refrigerator, checking the flavor as it develops rather than relying on the calendar alone.

Ingredients

• 2 cups plain vodka
• 1/2 cup fresh pomegranate seeds, also called arils
• Zest of 1 lemon, using only the yellow outer layer

For the pomegranate, use the whole juicy arils, including the small seeds inside them. Remove any pieces of white membrane. You’ll also need a clean glass jar with a tight-fitting lid, a fine-mesh strainer and a clean bottle for the finished infusion.

How to Make Pomegranate and Lemon Vodka

1. Prepare the fruit. Wash the lemon and, if using a whole pomegranate, wash its exterior before cutting it open. Rub the fruit under running water, then dry with a clean towel. The FDA recommends washing produce before peeling or cutting it; soap isn’t needed.
2. Zest the lemon. Use a fine grater to remove the yellow outer layer, avoiding the white pith underneath, which can add bitterness. Save the rest of the lemon for another recipe.
3. Combine. Put the pomegranate arils and lemon zest in the jar. Pour in the vodka, close the lid tightly and gently swirl to mix.
4. Refrigerate and steep. Allow about 3–5 days, gently swirling the closed jar each day. Start checking the flavor before the end of that window. Use a clean spoon to take a small sample; a little water can make the fruit and citrus flavors easier to assess. Strain sooner if the lemon is becoming stronger than you’d like.
5. Strain and bottle. Pour through a fine-mesh strainer into a clean container, removing the arils and zest. If small particles remain, strain again through a paper coffee filter. Transfer to a clean bottle, close tightly and label with the contents and preparation date. Keep refrigerated.

Ways to Use It

For a simple vodka soda, use the infusion in place of plain vodka, add chilled club soda and ice, and finish with a lemon twist. It also works as the vodka portion of a martini-style cocktail.

This recipe contains no added sugar, so don’t expect the sweetness of a pomegranate liqueur. If your finished drink needs sweetness, stir a little simple syrup into that individual serving. For a more pronounced pomegranate flavor, add a splash of pomegranate juice to the cocktail.