Looking for a nice gift that is inexpensive and easy to make? Flavored vinegar can be very costly if purchased in a store, but it’s relatively easy and fun to make. Who better than our regular contributor, Herbdoc, to show us how?
What you need:
- Clean, dry decorative bottles with cork stoppers. (These are available online from many vendors)
- Gather the fresh herbs and veggies you plan to use. Gently wash and pat dry on paper towels. If using fresh veggies, make them pretty. Slice peppers in strips; peel garlic; slice lemons and limes in rings. Green onions and jalapenos can go in just as they are. Popular combinations include: basil, garlic, and red peppers; tarragon and garlic; and parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme. Remember that you must be careful not to use too much of a strong herb in a combination else the entire batch will taste of the strong one. Single herb vinegars can also be made.
- Spices may be used, but they must be whole or they will cloud the vinegar.
- A good quality vinegar should be purchased. Try red or white wine vinegar or rice vinegar.
Directions:
- Place the chosen herbs, veggies and/or spices in clean jars. Use a long wooden skewer or chopstick to push them down in the bottle.
- Fill the bottle with vinegar about ½” from the top.
- Cork the jar, and if you like the look, cover the cork with melted colored wax.
- Label the bottle with the type of vinegar and the herbs/veggies included.
These vinegars are wonderful in green salads or salad dressing, marinades or in any recipe which calls for vinegar. Unused, the jars make outstanding decorative accents in the kitchen!
Digging RI 
I was wondering what you use the herbed vinegars for! I myself have to be careful about my vinegar intake as it tends to trigger migraines, but I think that the bottles look so lovely.
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As I said, they’d make wonderful decorative accents in the kitchen! I have one that hasn’t been opened in about 5 years! I love the style of the bottle and the way the herbs set it off, and I also covered the cork with red wax. Very pretty!
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Hi Cynthia, this is a wonderful gift. We made some years ago and luckily saved a few for our own use. I was amazed at how much better than regular old vinegars it was. I like to add whole cloves of garlic too. Red wine vinegar seemed to make the best tasting of the lot. 🙂
Frances
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Frances, don’t you think it’s wonderful when a homemade gift is not only personal but useful and delicious as well? And as for garlic, that’s always welcome in our house!
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Outstanding Article , I thought it was grand
I look forward to more innovative postings like this one. Does This Site have a subscription I can subscribe to for new postings?
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greelftress: scroll down to the very bottom of the page; there is a link for entries/RSS and one for comments/RSS. or you can enter this link into your news reader: https://diggingri.wordpress.com/feed/
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