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Monday, December 20, 2010

Warm Up with a Nip of Winter-Spiced Vodka



Just a quick nip to help warm our bones as we sit around the fire tonight.  Preparing for the eclipse.  Welcoming Yule.  Enjoying the longest night of the year.  It's the Winter Solstice!  

I hope everybody is making it through this week as joyfully as possible and that you enjoy these coming days with those you love.

Although I posted this amber, glowing, golden-hued vodka infused with the warmth of chile, cinnamon and other spices a couple of days ago over at Cocktail Puppy, I really wanted to share it with you here tonight.  It's super warming and will give your cheeks a rosy glow, for sure. Throw back a shot, mix it into a Bloody Mary for an extra kick, or make a festive Martini.  It's also a fun idea for holiday gifts because stored in a cool, dark place, it will keep well for at least a year!




Winter-Spiced Vodka
recipe from Nigella Christmas
makes 2 c.

1 tsp. whole coriander seeds
3 cardamom pods, bruised
½ tsp. whole cumin seed
1 cinnamon stick
1 whole dried chile
2 c. vodka

Begin by sterilizing your bottle(s) and let them cool.  Then simply slide all of your spices into the prepared bottle and pour the vodka in...either using a funnel or your fantastic free-flow skills like I did.  Because of course my funnel is lost.  Seal it.  Set it aside to steep in a cool, dark place.








For those of you looking for the Hearth and Soul Hop...it's on hold this week!  With so many people caught in the midst of holiday madness, we've decided to give the hop a week of rest.  Please come back next week and join us then!









Would you like to comment?

  1. Oh yes - I have it all and its snowing and I am snug at home- looking at the vodka... and spices. Happy winter solstice.

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  2. Do you strain the spices out after it steeps, or are you just leaving them in?

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  3. Thanks Claudia :)

    I'm just leaving them, Pam...but they want to come out when I pour it, so I tied a little piece of cheesecloth over the opening so they stay in when I pour. It's so strong though that I think it'd probably be okay to remove them if you wanted to. :D

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  4. This is a beautiful vodka, I love the amber look! I have some vodka with vanilla and coffee beans in the cupboard...it doesn't look as pretty! Is there some warmed for me? We are supposed to get in the 40s tonight! We are also waiting to get up for the eclipse and winter solstice! Wahoo!

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  5. Nice! Not a bad way to spend a snowy evening in....

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  6. Love your photos Heather! Cheers! :)

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  7. At a recent holiday party, I had a version of smirnoff's that had these spices infused in it. I think it was called Brooklyn Smirnoff? Hmmm not sure. Whatever it was, it was delicious. Need to try to make this!

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  8. Hey, I am gonna have to make some of this fandamntastic concotion.....ahora. Cheers, sweetie, happy moony watching.....XXOO The Olde Bagg, Linda

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  9. Just the thing to take off a winter chill, and perfect for the holidays! :)

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  10. i could feel my cheeks warming up... i wish i could have a sip right now esp on this rainy night.

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  11. the clicks are fab ! let the festive spirit be around u forever !

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  12. Now that would warm me up. Lovely vodka. Happy holidays.
    Sam

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  13. Beautiful photos Heather and the drink sounds wonderful and festive. I did get up in the middle of the night to look at the erie moon, I think one of these vodka's would make a nice reward. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

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  14. This would warm ip even the most chilled of bones Heather. I missed the eclipse after a tiring day at work but I know that the beginning of winter will soon be the end of winter. I wish we could keep the spirit of the holidays all year round.

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  15. Love your spices in the recipe. Sounds very flavorful.

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  16. Sipping this vodka on a cold winter evening is a wonderful way to warm up. Love the spices you added.

    Merry Christmas!

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  17. mmm, my fingers and toes just got warmer looking at your pictures, sounds awesome!

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  18. Sounds like an amazing drink with all those spices, excellent!

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  19. First off, I love your pictures. So warm and inviting. Lovin all those warm spices. I think I could probably drink this one straight up, but it would be a shame not to mix it into festive drinks.

    I could have really used some of this last night after spending the evening with 20+ giggling, laughing, screaming girl scouts.

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  20. Love it!
    Wishing you a most wonderful Holiday!

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  21. A most Blessed Yule to you and your family Heather! Bright Blessings!

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  22. Just stopping by today to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas!

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  23. I want to print this recipe!
    IT IS FANTASTIC

    I wish you a Merry Christmas!
    Hugs and kisses
    Barbaraxx

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  24. My blog is resting too till after the new year. Just stopped in to wish you a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year. This is pretty much what I'll be doing for a few hours as well as painting some bangles and pendants for next year.That drink looks very good. I had an egg nog with rum the other night and relaxing it was. :) Enjoy enjoy.

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  25. I love infusing vodka but have never made such a spiced version! How fun. I bet this would be great mixed with some warm cider too.

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  26. Heather - we're both toasting in the Solstice!

    That vodka looks yummy. You're an artist with your camera as well. Beautiful post.

    Happy Solstice,
    Maggie

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  27. Would love to enjoy a glass or two sitting in front of fireplace...the thought of it has already warmed me up. :-))
    Happy Solstice!

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  28. This looks like the perfect thing to sip on in the rainy, grey weather we are having. So pretty too. ;-)

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  29. It was astonishing, wasn't it? How lucky to be able to view the eclipse on solstice day.

    What kind of chile did you use?

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