DIY Gin

[Photograph: Marcia Simmons]

When it comes down to it, gin is basically a neutral spirit flavored with juniper berries and a bunch of other stuff. So while it might seem like putting a bunch of berries and herbs in vodka couldn't possibly result in a drinkable gin, you definitely can make a gin just as complex and delicious as what you'll find at the liquor store.

Note: Choose the most neutral inexpensive vodka you can find.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups vodka
  • 2 tablespoons juniper berries
  • 1/2 teaspoon coriander seeds
  • 1 teaspoon chamomile
  • 1/2 teaspoon lavender
  • 3 cardamom pods, broken
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 4 allspice berries
  • two 4-inch pieces of grapefruit peel, with no pith

Procedures

  1. Combine the vodka and juniper berries in a sealable glass jar and steep for 12 hours.

  2. Add coriander, chamomile, lavender, cardamom, bay leaf, allspice, and grapefruit peel. Seal jar and shake, then let steep for an additional 36 hours.

  3. Strain out solids through a strainer lined with cheesecloth, then strain through cheese cloth again into desired bottle. Store at room temperature for up to one year.

More "cocktails" on Serious Eats:
HTML Hints

Some HTML is OK: <a href="URL">link</a>, <strong>strong</strong>, <em>em</em>

Comment Guidelines

Post whatever you want, just keep it seriously about eats, seriously. We reserve the right to delete off-topic or inflammatory comments. Learn more in the Comment Policy section of our Terms of Use page.

If you see something not so nice, please, report an inappropriate comment.