Spiced Vodka Cream Liqueur

I am sure you’re all ready for a good Christmas break, even though the situation is still what it is. And I am sure we are all planning something nonetheless. The girls and I are continuing to plan for a nice day made of food, drinks, pandoro and movies. And in terms of drinks, aside from the wine, we have decided to spice it up a bit. And I mean, literally: we have got a nice bottle of this spiced vodka cream liqueur to go with our pandoro.

This needs a bit of a preface though. And honestly, it’s all down to the fact that we don’t really drink much. Some of us do – looking at you, Fred – and some of us really don’t – more likely me. I am happy with a soft drink in hand, and at rare times, I can go for a super-strong cocktail. I love my Pornstar Martini a bit too much. So I tend to stay off them as much as I can possibly do. Fred is a drinker, but even then, she does not drink much. She loves her odd can of beer and the odd glass of red wine when we are among friends and family. Cristina is more of a cross between Fred and me – will not drink much, but when she does she goes all out.

So you must be wondering why have I even made this spiced vodka cream liqueur? Well. Our plans for Christmas have been changed last minute due to you know what and who. So we’ve been planning the aforementioned plan of food, movies and drinks with pandoro. And this spiced vodka, with the cream and the caramel, is just what the doctor ordered.

Or maybe, not really what the doctor ordered.

The doctor wouldn’t really order alcohol on you, let alone this spiced vodka cream liqueur. But also – why not? I mean, vodka is used somewhere in the world for something good other than inebriation right? So this spiced vodka has to have some sort of magic powers. At the very least it will make us merry! Merry and bright, plus covered in icing sugar from the pandoro. Just what I think the doctor ordered.

Vodka, all the secrets and history behind this drink.

Vodka, as we all know, is a distilled alcoholic beverage with origins in Poland, Russia and Sweden. It’s mainly made by water and ethanol, with sometimes an addition of flavourings. Like in this case, we have infused it at home with a syrup-y kind of concoction. This is to give it that spiced vodka flavour. Traditionally, though vodka is made by distilling liquid from fermented cereal grains. More recently, though, potatoes have been used too. And more modern brands have also gone as far as using fruits, honey or maple sap as a bade for distilling.

There is very little material on the history of vodka. Some believe it to be a product of the middle ages. In Poland, vodka was produced since the early middle ages. And the first written proof of vodka comes as early as the 1400s. Initially, the vodka was used as a medicine rather than as a drink itself. Nowadays, aside from the trillion brands and flavourings available, vodka is also used in cooking. I mean, you must have seen the version of penne alla vodka from Gigi Hadid herself on TikTok, right?!

What ingredients are in this spiced vodka cream liqueur?

This spiced vodka cream liqueur does not require too many ingredients. But it will require some time for infusion and to gain some strength in the flavour. But you’ll definitely need to do a 10 minute or so of cooking. Let’s see how!

First of all, you will need light muscovado sugar, cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, cloves, star anise and nutmeg. These will be, together with water, the ingredients you will need for the infusion part. Then you will also need some vodka, caramel and single cream.

Yes, it’s as easy as these ingredients. You will end up loving this spiced vodka cream liqueur. But let’s see how to make it now, right?

How do I make this spiced vodka cream liqueur?

The whole recipe is mostly off-hands work than hands-on. You will be cooking for literally 10 minutes, and aside from the mixing and pouring, you will be free to do whatever your heart might desire. It will still look as if you have put so much effort in this, people will be besotted with the taste of it. And since you might decide to go for homemade Christmas gifts this year, this is an amazing option too!

You will start by adding the water and sugar to a pot, melting it on medium heat. You will then add all your spices and bring it to a boil. All you do now is let it simmer for 10 minutes, covered with a lid, then set it aside to infuse at room temperature overnight after adding the vodka.

The following day, you will strain the vodka mixture over the caramel and cream you have poured and mixed in a big enough jug. You will mix the vodka in and pour it in the bottle or bottles of choice. Place in the fridge and serve cold.

Any tips and tricks for the spiced vodka recipe?

I would recommend letting the spiced vodka cream liqueur sit in the fridge for a week or so before serving, so that all the flavours can develop properly. The more it stays in the fridge, the stronger the flavour.

In terms of substitutions, I have yet to attempt a vegan version by using vegan caramel and vegan cream, but I am sure if you have the right ingredients you shall be able to make this vegan. We use Elmlea cream as we love the texture and consistency of it, the plant-based version is also great, and you can find it here. For the caramel, I have yet to try a great vegan replacement so please let me know if you do have one.

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Dried Orange Slices, £5.89 / Red & White Bakers Twine, £6.99 / Cinnamon Sticks, £8.59 / Wine Glasses (Similar), £19.99 / Glass Bottle (Similar), £10.99

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And it’s ready! The spiced vodka cream liqueur is ready! I think as a first attempt at a drink like this, I am pretty chuffed. It tastes amazing and it’s just the perfect tipple at night, after a long day at work. Those cold nights have just gotten a little better, a little warmer!

If you are still after some gift ideas for this coming Christmas, check out our gift guides. From the best Christmas craft kits to the best eco-friendly gifts for Christmas, home lifestyle gift ideas and the best Christmas beauty gift ideas. Check out the best Christmas board games and the best book lover presents. Also, check out the latest guide on the best unique stationery gifts, best Christmas craft kits, the best travel lover gifts, the best coffee aficionado gifts and keep an eye open for more gift guides to come!

And if you are after some recipes, why not check some of these out: we have a vegan clementine curd, the cutest stained glass window cookies, mini Christmas puddings bonbon, southern buttermilk pie and some no-bake cookie truffles. But also a bourbon berry pie from Fred, some white chocolate fudge, a blood orange negroni, a gingerbread syrup recipe, a spicy eggnog easy recipe and some mini candy cane cookies from Lynn. And if you are after a vegan main, check out this mushroom Wellington recipe with a side of satay roasted brussels sprouts. And our latest were these Rice Krispies Christmas Puddings that are too adorable for words!

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