This Easter cocktail brings all the typical flavours of a hot cross bun into play. Vodka is infused with sweet raisins and warming cinnamon & nutmeg to create the hot cross bun vodka that is central to this Easter martini that is off-dry, fruity, sweetly spiced and faintly zesty.
For a creamier seasonal tipple try my advocaat Easter-themed cocktail - it's a glorious pastel yellow.
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Reasons I Love This Easter-Themed Cocktail
- Seasonal flavour: Think of Easter and hot cross buns spring to mind. That means cinnamon, nutmeg, dried fruit and a spark of citrus. This Easter cocktail has them all included.
- Totally unique: Well have you ever come across hot cross bun vodka before?
- Quick & Easy: The infused vodka may take a week but there is minimal hands-on time required. Once it's ready this hot cross bun martini can be prepared in minutes.
- Not just for Easter: Although it is perfect for Easter, I've been enjoying it throughout the entire year for the last 3 years.
Jump to:
Try this Easter martini with a hot cross bun or other traditional dried fruit bakes such as Eccles cakes, currant buns or fruit loaf.
What is Hot Cross Bun Vodka?
I won't be breaking new ground by reminding you that the traditional hot cross bun is a spiced sweet bread bun made with currants or raisins, marked with a cross on the top, and gobbled up on Good Friday.
I created an infused vodka recipe to enable these flavours to shine through in this Easter cocktail.
Since UK supermarkets are awash with variations on the classic hot cross bun, I've added a dash of apple juice and a twist of lemon to create my Hot Cross Bun Easter Martini.
Ingredients Notes
Ingredients for this Easter-themed cocktail can be broken down into 2 parts:
- Hot cross bun vodka ingredients.
- Hot cross bun cocktail ingredients.
Hot Cross Bun Vodka Ingredients
Vodka: Use good quality vodka that you don't mind drinking generally but it doesn't have to be expensive. My favourite around the £20 mark is Absolut vodka.
Spices: Use whole cinnamon and nutmeg rather than ground spices.
Dried fruit: I recommend raisins but you could use sultanas or mixed fruit if that is in your pantry.
Hot Cross Bun Cocktail Ingredients
Hot cross bun vodka: It's this that gives tis Easter-themed cocktail the underlying flavour so don't swap it out for standard vodka
Apple juice: Clear is best for appearances but cloudy can give a sharper, less sweet flavour profile. Use whichever one you prefer..
How to Make A Hot Cross Bun Easter Cocktail
Unsurprisingly, given the ingredients list, there are 2 stages to making this Easter themed cocktail:
- Make the hot cross bun vodka (the infusion takes 1 week minimum)
- Make the cocktail (5 minutes)
How To Make Hot Cross Bun Vodka
Though very easy to make, this infused vodka does need to sit for at least a week for the flavours to fully develop. Once made it keeps for months, so my advice is to get ahead of the game and make it well in advance of Easter:
- Step 1: Use a pestle and mortar to roughly break up the cinnamon sticks and the clove of nutmeg.
- Step 2: Put the spices and raisins into a wide-necked screw top jar. Pour in the vodka and seal the jar.
- Step 3: Leave the vodka in a cool, dark place to infuse for for at least 1 week, preferably 2, gently shaking the jar every few days. Strain the infused vodka through filter paper, a fine-meshed sieve or a nutbag to remove the spices and decant into a bottle (you can add a few raisins back in if desired).
How To Make The Hot Cross Bun Martini
- Step 4: Add a handful of ice cubes to either a jug or the base of a cocktail shaker.
- Step 5: Add the infused vodka, vermouth and apple juice. Stir briskly for 45 seconds.
- Step 6: Strain the liquid into a cocktail glass, twist a small strip of lemon zest over the glass to release the oils and garnish with raisins, a cinnamon stick and a curl of lemon zest. Serve immediately.
How to Store Hot Cross Bun Vodka
Once ready, it's up to you where to store this vodka - the fridge, the freezer, a cupboard or a shelf are all fine.
This vodka will keep for a long time and it's really not fussy where it's home is.
Expert Tips
- Reduce the sweetness:
- A squeeze of lemon can address matters if your cocktail is too sweet.
- Alternatively, add a dash of orange bitters to round out the flavour profile.
- Increase sweetness by replacing the dry vermouth with bianco vermouth.
- Vary the apple juice: Some apple juice is very sweet, some is tangy and tart - try out different ones to challenge the flavour profile and keep things interesting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can. Simply replace the vodka with gin when making the hot cross bun infusion and proceed with the recipes.
Yes, it can. Get creative and have some fun coming up with your own cocktails - don't forget to share the details in my comment section as I'd love to hear about them.
Yes, it can. Combine the ingredients in a large jug (without ice) and store in the fridge. When you are ready to serve, pour individual portions (75ml) over ice, stir, strain and serve - easy!
Stirring with ice at the point of serving ensures the cocktail is perfectly chilled. If you pre-stir and refrigerate, it will not be as cold or refreshing.
More Boozy Infusions
More Easter Recipes
Browse all of my creative & tasty Easter recipes from chocolate gifts to desserts to cocktails and even a savoury pie, we have plenty. Here are a few favourites:
Have you made this hot cross bun Easter cocktail? I hope that you enjoyed it. Please let me know by leaving a review.
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📖 Recipe
Easter Cocktail
Ingredients
For the Raisin & Spice Infused Vodka (makes approx 480ml)
- 500 ml Vodka
- 3 Large cinnamon sticks (each 12-15 cm long)
- 1 Whole nutmeg
- 50 g Raisins
For the Hot Cross Bun Martini
- 40 ml Raisin & Spice Infused Vodka
- 20 ml Dry vermouth
- 15 ml Clear apple juice
- 1 Strips lemon zest
Garnish
- Raisins
- Lemon zest curl
- Cinnamon stick
Instructions
Make the Infused Vodka
- Use a pestle and mortar to roughly break up the cinnamon sticks and the clove of nutmeg. There is no need to crush the spices.
- Put the spices and raisins into a wide-necked screw top jar. Pour in the vodka and seal the jar.
- Leave the vodka in a cool, dark place to infuse for for at least 1 week, preferably 2, gently shaking the jar every few days. It will gradually darken to a deep brown over this time.
- Strain the infused vodka through filter paper, a fine-meshed sieve or a nutbag to remove the spices and decant into a bottle (you can add a few raisins back in if desired).
Make the Cocktail
- Put a handful of ice into a cocktail jug or cocktail shaker.
- Add the vodka, vermouth and apple juice and stir briskly for 45 seconds.
- Strain the liquid into a cocktail glass, twist a small strip of lemon zest over the glass to release the oils.
- Garnish with raisins, a cinnamon stick and a curl of lemon zest.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- The infused vodka will keep for a very long time in an airtight bottle. Store in in the fridge or at room temperature.
- Swap the vodka for gin if preferred.
- Reduce the sweetness:
- A squeeze of lemon can address matters if your cocktail is too sweet.
- Alternatively, add a dash of orange bitters to round out the flavour profile.
- Increase sweetness by replacing the dry vermouth with bianco vermouth.
Michelle - Giraffes Can Bake says
I am so in love with this Martini, such a fun idea! And sounds totally delicious.
And you've inspired me to start infusing vodka again - i may have to start with this idea!
Jane Saunders says
Do it Michelle - you'll come up with some amazing cocktail with the results too.
Julia @ HappyFoods Tube says
This cocktail must taste amazing! Love your photos and the lemon zest garnish is a great idea! 🙂
Jane Saunders says
Thankyou Julia.
Lisa | Garlic & Zest says
I've never heard of this type of infusion before, but I love it! This is a lovely cocktail and it sure beats a chocolate rabbit!
Jane Saunders says
Definitely one Easter Treat the kids can't get their hands on - unlike those chocolate bunnies.
Suzy says
This is the perfect drink for Easter! Thanks for sharing
Jane Saunders says
No problem Suzy
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says
What a really fun idea. Do you mind if I borrow it for our supper party tonight?
Jane Saunders says
Thanks Bintu - feel free.
Amanda says
This is truly unique. Infusing the raisins is genius. I might fish them out and eat them before anyone sees!
Jane Saunders says
Thanks Amanda - those raisins add a lovely depth to the vodka - I like to drop one into my glass before serving.