| Prep: 15 mins | Cook: Non-applicable | Difficulty: Easy | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 276 | 0g | 0g | 38g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 36g | 1g | 0g | 0g |
There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about this Salak Infused Vodka recipe which transports me back to my childhood in New Jersey. Growing up with Italian grandparents, an appreciation for good food and drink was stitched into the fabric of our family life. While many of our traditions revolved around hearty Italian-American fare, my adventurous palette always found a special joy in experimenting with diverse and exciting flavors. Thus, began my journey with this unique fruit-infused gem, Salak Infused Vodka, and I’ve been charmed ever since.
The Magic of Salak
Salak, also known as snake fruit due to its unique scaly skin, lends a phenomenal sweet-yet-slightly-tart flavor that infuses beautifully into vodka. It has a crispness that is thoroughly refreshing, while the lemon zest adds a hint of citrusy zing that boosts the taste to a whole new level. I find it akin to traditional Limoncello, yet with a distinctive twist delivered by the exotic snake fruit. What’s more? Salak is rich in fiber and vitamins, lending a healthier edge to your cocktail shenanigans.
A Versatile Accompaniment
Served ice-cold, this Salak Infused Vodka is excellent as a standalone spirit for those relaxed evenings. But it’s versatile enough to complement a myriad of dishes too. For instance, it pairs beautifully with a plate of spaghetti and meatballs, a favorite from my childhood repertoire, or a hearty lasagna. The balance of rich, savory flavors with the refreshing vodka can transform a simple dinner into something extraordinary.
At the same time, this infusion adds a fantastic depth to various cocktail recipes, providing an enchanting spin on classics. That’s the beauty of this Salak Infused Vodka recipe – it’s as flexible as it is flavoursome.
Be it a family gathering, a special occasion or just an evening unwinding after a long hike, having a bottle of this homemade, Salak Infused Vodka at hand has punctuated many a memorable moment for me. So here’s to traditions old and new, and to a recipe that’s very close to my heart.”
What You’ll Need
- 2 cups of vodka
- 4 ripe salak (snake fruit)
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
- 3 cups of filtered water
- Zest of 1 large lemon
Method
Step One
Peel the salak (snake fruit) and separate the flesh from the seeds. Chop the salak into small pieces.
Step Two
In a medium-sized pot, combine the granulated sugar and filtered water. Heat it over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar is fully dissolved. This will create a simple syrup.
Step Three
Take the pot off the heat and let the simple syrup cool down. Once it’s cool, add the chopped salak to it. Let the mixture steep for about 2 hours so that the salak flavors can infuse into the syrup.
Step Four
Using a fine-mesh strainer, strain the salak chunks out of the syrup. Make sure to extract as much juice as possible. Reserve the syrup and discard the fruit chunks.
Step Five
Combine the vodka, salak-infused syrup, and lemon zest together in a large jar or bottle. Shake well to combine.
Step Six
Store the bottle in a cool, dark place. Allow the vodka to further infuse for at least a week before using it.
Step Seven
Once the vodka is fully infused, strain it once more to remove any remaining solids. Your Salak Infused Vodka is now ready to be served. Enjoy it chilled or use it in your favorite cocktail recipes.
