Summertime is just around the corner, and that means patio-sitting and cocktail sipping with your friends and family. At Posana, our patio stays packed with patrons who come specifically for our gluten-free, house-infused craft cocktails. Interested in packing your own patio this year? Craft your own signature flavored liquors yourself. You’ll not only save money, but you’ll also bypass artificial flavoring and have first-hand knowledge of what you’re putting in your body.

1.  Choose a good vodka. Although the distilling process removes the gluten protein from the vodka making it safe for those with gluten sensitivities, it’s possible that low-end vodka may contain trace amounts of gluten due to cheaper distilling processes. You might also consider a potato vodka.

2.  Pick your natural flavoring. Get creative! Any fruit, spice, herb, vegetable or the like can be used in the flavoring process. One of the most popular infused vodkas at Posana is the lemongrass-infused vodka. If you’re using fruit or vegetables, make sure they’ve been cleaned, cut, deseeded and, if necessary, peeled. Herbs and spices do not require cutting.

3.  Combine your ingredients. Add your natural flavoring to a glass jar. For fruit and vegetables, fill the jar about halfway. A little goes a long way with the herbs and spices, so stick to just a handful. After you’ve added your flavoring, add your vodka to the jar, close the lid and refrigerate.

4.  Time to wait. The infusion process will vary depending on your additive, so test your vodka daily until you’ve reach your desired flavor. Once you’ve hit your mark, strain your vodka and either return to the glass jar or pour into a glass bottle.

5.  Enjoy! Pour over ice and sip, or combine with freshly squeezed juices and your choice of liquor for an unforgettable cocktail.

Insider’s Tip: You can produce the same results on the fly using a whipped cream canister. Simply pour in room-temperature vodka and add your flavoring. Next, seal the canister, charge it with a nitrous oxide cartridge and swirl gently for 30 seconds to disperse the flavoring. Let it stand for an additional 30 seconds before repeating the process with a second N2O cartridge. Let the mixture stand for 30 seconds before venting the N2O and opening the canister to strain out the additives. Same great tasting vodka, less time.