Spruce & Ginger Fizz Recipe
spruce – infused vodka / lime juice / simple syrup ginger beer – woodsy & light –
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Ingredients
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Spruce-Infused Vodka
Cocktail
Garnish
Method
Spruce-Infused Vodka
Clean and prepare spruce tips
Inspect fresh spruce tips and remove any brown or woody pieces. Rinse quickly under cold water to remove dirt or small insects, then pat dry with paper towels. Use only bright green, tender tips for best flavor.
Infuse vodka
Place 1 cup of spruce tips into a clean 16–20 oz glass jar. Pour 2 cups (about 16 oz) of vodka over the spruce tips, ensuring they are fully submerged. Seal the jar tightly and store in a cool, dark place for 24–36 hours. Shake the jar gently once or twice during the first 12 hours to help extraction. Taste after 24 hours — when the vodka has a noticeable fresh, resinous/woodsy note but is not overly bitter, strain; if needed, wait up to 36 hours but not longer to avoid bitterness.
Strain and clarify
Strain the infusion through a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth into a clean container. Press gently on the spruce tips to extract liquid but avoid pushing through fine particulate. If you want a crystal-clear vodka, filter again through a coffee filter. Discard spruce solids. Refrigerate the infused vodka until ready to use (keeps for several months). This recipe calls for 2 oz per drink; reserve the rest for future cocktails.
Cocktail Assembly
Build the cocktail: add 1 cup of ice (or fill the glass with ice cubes). Pour in 2 oz spruce-infused vodka, 0.75 oz fresh lime juice, and 0.5 oz simple syrup directly over the ice.
Top and stir: gently top with 4 oz chilled ginger beer. Stir once or twice gently with a bar spoon to integrate the ingredients without losing too much carbonation.
Garnish and finish: garnish with a spruce tip sprig (or small rosemary sprig if spruce not available) tucked into the drink and a lime wheel or wedge on the rim. Optionally, clap the spruce tip between your palms once and briefly hold it over the drink to release aromatic oils before placing it as garnish.
Serve immediately: serve cold and enjoy the woodsy, bright, slightly spicy profile. Adjust sweetness by adding up to 0.25 oz more simple syrup if desired, or more lime for brightness.