Autumn Fruit Punch

This fruity punch can be enjoyed warmed or chilled - depending on the weather and the mood. It's refreshing as a chilled sangria but also comforting as a warm mulled wine.

In the past I've made traditional Mulled Wine and several Infused Spirits.

The nutritional information below is just for the liquid - i.e. alcohol and juice. If the boozy fruit is also eaten, add a few more calories and grams of sugar!

Autumn Fruit Punch
Makes 8 (150ml / 5floz servings)

Ingredients:
- 1 apple, sliced
- 1 pear, sliced
- 1 orange, sliced
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 8 cloves, whole
- 750ml / 1 bottle red wine
- 480ml / 16floz pomegranate juice
- 240ml / 8floz vodka OR bourbon
- 240ml / 8floz water

Method:

• Warm all ingredients gently over low heat for 15 minutes to combine and infuse the liquids and flavours. 
• Strain before serving in glasses, removing the cloves and cinnamon stick.
• If drinking chilled, allow to cool before straining and refrigerating. ENJOY!

Nutritional Information:

Infused Spirits - Chamomile Vodka

I'm slowly building up my recipe list of Infused Spirits, with this fourth vodka recipe infused with chamomile tea. It's a whole new take on Iced Tea!

This herbal, fragrant tea is known for its many health benefits including soothing and relaxing both the mind and body. It aids sleep and eases muscle ache. Thanks to its antibacterial properties, it can also calm inflamed and sensitive skin.

Infused Spirits - Chamomile Vodka
Makes 9, 50ml / 1.5oz servings
Click HERE for a printable recipe card.

Ingredients:
- 3tbsp / 6 chamomile tea bags
- 480ml / 16floz vodka
- 20g / 1tbsp honey

Method:
Cut open the tea bags and place chamomile in an air-tight jar/container.

Pour in the vodka.
Store in a cool, dry place for 3-5-7 days, shaking the jar (not vigorously) one or two times each day.

Depending on the preferred 'strength' or flavour of the infused spirit, after 3, 5 or 7 days, strain the vodka.

Pour the chamomile vodka into a storage jar or bottle.

Serve in a chilled glass or over ice. ENJOY!

Click HERE for a printable recipe card.

Nutritional Information:
A 50ml/1.5floz serving vodka contains 96 calories.
A tablespoon of honey has 64 calories and 17g carbs, all of which is sugar!

Infused Spirits - Limoncello

Further to my fruit infused vodkas, I used lemons to make Limoncello, an Italian lemon liqueur mainly produced in Southern Italy.

This recipe has been adapted from the kitchn blog. It's basically the same recipe - lemons and vodka - but I used a bit more water and less sugar per serving. I also zested the lemon instead of peeling them with a vegetable peeler.

Infused Spirits - Limoncello
Makes 2, 50ml / 1.5oz servings
Click HERE for a printable recipe card.

Ingredients:
- 1 lemon zest
- 75ml/2.5floz vodka (I used 80% proof)
- 30ml /2tbsp water
- 8g / 2tsp white sugar

For larger batches/quantities, use one lemon for every 75ml vodka - i.e. a 750ml bottle of vodka will need 10 lemons, 300ml /10floz water and 80g/3oz sugar. This will give one litre of limocello, approx. 20, 50ml/1.5oz servings. Perfect for a party!!

Method:
Zest/grate the lemon and place in an air-tight jar/container.

Pour in the vodka.
Store in a cool, dry place for 3-5-7 days. Shaking the jar of fruit and vodka (not vigorously) one or two times each day.

Depending on the preferred 'strength' or flavour of the infused spirit, after 3, 5 or 7 days, strain the vodka.

To make the sugar syrup, bring the water to a simmer and stir in the sugar to dissolve; allow to cool.
Stir the vodka into the sugar syrup and add more water/sugar to taste.
Pour the limoncello into a storage jar or bottle.

Serve in a chilled glass or over ice. ENJOY!
Click HERE for a printable recipe card.

Nutritional Information:
A 50ml/1.5floz serving vodka contains 96 calories.
A teaspoon of sugar has 15 calories and 4g carbs, all of which is sugar (obviously!).

Infused Spirits - Vodka

When infusing spirits, in addition to the required alcohol of choice, patience is also a significant requisite! I started my spirit infusion experiment with vodka - mainly because that's all I had in the pantry. I also had a mango and a bag of cherries in the fridge. Both fruits were seasonal and ripe so the opportunity to try something new was perfect.

There are plenty of websites dedicated to infusing spirits. Vodka, gin whisky, rum and tequila are all popular choices of spirits. Most of the sites suggest adding a combination of fruits, herbs, spices and vegetables. There's a chance to get creative but also a risk of ruining perfectly good alcohol!

I found this fruit flavored vodka website to be a good starting point. With regards to quantities, I found one cup of chopped fruit (approx. 110g/4oz) was sufficient for 1-1.5cups of vodka (approx. 300ml/10floz). 80% or 100% proof vodka is also recommended.

I may get a little more creative as I'm keen to try a few recipes from this site that has '50 Unique and Not-So-Unique Flavors to Infuse Vodka', including cucumber and dill, and oats and honey!

Infused Spirits - Mango Vodka
Makes 6, 50ml / 1.5floz serving
Click HERE for a printable recipe card.

Ingredients:
- 110g / 4oz mango, chopped
- 300ml / 10floz vodka, (I use 80% proof)

Infused Spirits - Cherry Vodka
Makes 6, 50ml / 1.5floz serving
Click HERE for a printable recipe card.

Ingredients:
- 110g /4oz cherries, pitted and chopped
- 300ml / 10floz vodka, (I use 80% proof)

Method:
Place the chopped fruit in an air-tight jar/container and pour in the vodka.

Store in a cool, dry place for 3-5-7 days. Shaking the jar of fruit and vodka (not vigorously) one or two times each day.
Depending on the preferred 'strength' or flavour of the infused spirit, after 3, 5 or 7 days, strain the vodka.

Pour the vodka into a storage jar or bottle.

Serve over ice. ENJOY!

Click HERE for a printable recipe card.

Nutritional Information:
A 50ml/1.5floz serving vodka contains 96 calories.
I found this article about efficient drinking to be very informative and a great way to compare alcoholic beverages.