infused vodka: elderberries

sambucus nigra

sambucus nigraSambucus cerulea.

Sambucus cerulea.
Formerly placed in the honeysuckle family, and we can attest, for the smell is evocative of such.  The elderberry is a relative to the grape, so you may treat it as one -- made into a liqueur, it has the elements of a deep, earthy, port. Infused into a distilled spirit -- the results show a much lighter, fruitier component.

The stems are relatively toxic, so do a close sweep of your fingers and remove any that are floating around with the berries after removing them from the plant.

 

Allow the berries to infuse with your vodka for at least a week or per your preference.  I would give it 2-3.  Pour over ice with a splash of seltzer and enjoy the last two weeks of summer.