A libation that’s bound to bring on merriment.  Be careful with this stuff kids.  You won’t even taste the alcohol.  Adults only.

4 cups chilled cranberry juice
2 cups chilled orange juice
2 cups vodka
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons Grand Marnier or other orange liqueur
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Mix in a large pitcher and serve over ice.

I wanted to do something special for a party we recently hosted and I read something about Infused Vodka. Okay, I cannot tell a lie.  I read it in O and they referenced the website Infused-vodka.com which gives an excellent tutorial.

Infused Vodka = Pollee’s new cocktail BFF.

I bought a couple spigot jars at Target (although large Ball or Mason jars would work like a charm) and set out to make lemon and blueberry infused vodkas.

I did some reconnaissance and found that one needn’t buy top shelf vodka.  SKYY was the resounding mid-price winner according to several sites.  My infused vodka rested for 2 weeks at room temperature away from light.  It was delightful and many a drink recipe was created that night.  More on those recipes later.

Blueberry Infused Vodka
5 bags frozen blueberries
2 1.75 L SKYY
Nick each berry, pour the vodka over the fruit and allow it to sit.  Nicking each berry allows the fusion to take hold and turns the vodka a rich, purple color.

Lemon Infused Vodka
15-20 lemons
2 1.75 L SKYY
Slice lemons
Pour vodka over the sliced lemons and let it rest.

We first tasted this delicious drink in San Francisco about a decade ago, at a Victorian Punch House whose name I don’t remember. Kent and Kylah were with us and the commemorative drink has become a perennial summer favorite.

I’ve tried different variations – spiced rum with ginger beer, spiced rum with ginger ale – all have paled in comparison to the concoction below. Black Seal makes the tastiest D&S but Meyer’s Dark will do in a pinch.

2 oz/shots dark rum
8 oz ginger beer
dash of lime juice

Pour over ice. Stir and enjoy.