Excerpt from Party Planning Made Simple Even on a Budget:

Signature Cocktail—This is my all time favorite part of planning any party. The Signature Cocktail! I think I personally spend more time on Pinterest, Facebook, and the Internet collectively planning the signature cocktail than the rest of the whole entire planning of a party (that may be a teensy bit of an exaggeration but believe me to those that know me, it is not) combined. I usually limit my signature cocktail to 3 ingredients. An alcohol, a juice or simple syrup and a bubbly soda. Here is my number 1 secret to create the most magnificent signature cocktail—are you ready, really ready—CREATE YOUR OWN FLAVORED VODKA—Yes! I have done this for 3 parties so far and if I had known about this sooner believe me that number would be a lot higher. I know vodkas come in many flavors these days and I take advantage of that often. But for the A List events there is no substitute than making your own. The possibilities are virtually endless! 🙂

Making Your Own Flavored Vodkas in 5 Easy Steps

Start with your favorite brand of plain vodka (my recommendation is the one that does not have you waking up with a headache). 😉 Pick the size bottle you need based on the number of attendees for your occasion. For example, if you are going to have 10 people drinking your signature cocktail, plan on 2-4 oz of vodka per drink, per person based on how strong or light you like to make them. So in this equation, that would be a 40 oz or so bottle.
Whatever Brand that Does Not Give You a Headache!

Before Infusion!
Pick your infusing ingredient. For example: jelly beans, gumballs or marshmallows. Make sure to buy enough of one color of the ingredient to infuse with the vodka. For the example in number one that would be 20-25 pieces of whatever single color you decide you want your vodka to be.
Infusion Ingredient

Infusion Ingredient

Infusion Ingredient
In a glass container (I have only used glass for non-staining purposes) add your vodka then add your infusing ingredient. When you add the vodka first then the infusion ingredient the activation starts almost immediately with the infusion ingredient flavoring the vodka on its way down.
Bubble Gum Vodka Steeping
Stir the ingredients together, it is instant gratification as the vodka almost starts to infuse immediately and starts to take on the color you picked. Place plastic wrap over the top of your container. Steep for 48 hours on the counter, stirring once or twice a day or more as you have time.
Steeping Jelly Bean Vodka
When ready to use, strain the infusion ingredient out, and pour the now infused vodka back into the original bottle if you wish and set in the refrigerator to chill for a few hours.
Steeping Complete!

As I stated earlier, there really are endless possibilities to making your own flavored vodkas. And you are not limited to buying only what is available when you create your own. It’s so easy, fun and versatile. Bonus tip: use the extras from your infusion ingredients to make your cocktail garnish. Without having to tell your guests, they will know what the signature cocktail ingredients are just by looking at the glass. 😀

Signature Cocktail Garnish — Bubble Gum Garnish

Theme Decorations — Bubble Gum Garnish in Action!

Enjoy!

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Kimberly

Author; Blogger; Self-Proclaimed “Woman” of all trades and Self-Proclaimed “Master” of some! AFAA Certified Group Aerobics Instructor since 1998; MA Licensed Real Estate Agent since 1995; former Certified Financial Counselor and Passionate Advocator of Financial Education for Women. Tech Geek; Home Cook & Most Importantly, Mother of 3, my #1 Reason for Living!!!