Tyler Florence Shares His Go

The host gifts I remember most clearly aren’t just the typical bottles of wine. While I’m never disappointed to receive a little extra vino, and I appreciate anything a guest chooses to bring, it’s the small things like a bag of spiced nuts, a jar of homemade hot chocolate mix, or even a store-bought sweet treat that leave a lasting impression on me.

I’m far from the only person who finds this to be true, and while speaking with our team at the Food & Wine Classic in Charleston this November, chef, restaurateur, and TV host Tyler Florence shared that for his go-to host gift, “I really like things that you can make from scratch and then take.”

This world-famous food personality wasn’t about to leave us without revealing what he usually makes himself to bring to holiday parties, and his favorite host gift happens to be equal parts elegant and hands-off — in other words, exactly the kind of idea we’re looking for this season.

Tyler Florence recommends making cranberry vodka for a host gift

The idea of infusing your own vodka with flavor might seem intimidating, but it’s surprisingly simple — and one that Florence uses to craft a seasonally inspired spirit. The Food Network star says that “I think having an infused vodka as a gift is a really great welcome to a party” and suggests making one with cranberries to suit the holiday season.

This only requires two ingredients and two steps on your part, plus a little bit of patience. As Florence explains, you simply “buy cranberries in the bag — whole, fresh cranberries — and then pour vodka on top of them. Let it steep for a week or two, and then strain it and take that in an old wine bottle.”

A mid-range vodka is best; you don’t want to use something expensive that’s meant to be enjoyed as-is, but a poor-quality spirit won’t yield delicious results. A large mason jar is the easiest vessel for infusing your vodka, and you can keep it at room temperature in a cool, dry place. When it’s time to strain the liquor, I recommend using a coffee filter or cheesecloth layered over a fine-mesh strainer to remove any extra-fine particles of fruit. And if you gift it in an empty wine bottle like Florence suggests, make sure it has a screw-on top.

Florence notes that this tart, festive spirit has many uses, saying it would be great enjoyed plain as a refrigerated cocktail, used in a Cosmo, or paired with flavors like lime.

It’s worth checking your cranberries and vodka after three or four days to see if the spirit has developed enough flavor to strain. But if it does take a full week to infuse, you still have time to make a batch of this bright, tart liquor before Christmas or New Year’s Eve.

Customize infused spirits to suit the host’s tastes

If cranberries don’t appeal to you or you want to give infused vodka as a gift during another time of year, you can easily swap out the ingredient you use to flavor the spirit. Fruits, herbs, and spices are all delicious options, and you should feel free to experiment. Or, try adding other ingredients alongside the cranberries, like slices of citrus or warm, whole spices.

Pretty much any fruit will work for infusing vodka, but if you’re using a stone fruit — like cherries or peaches — make sure to remove the pits. If you choose a larger fruit such as pears or apples, slice it before adding it in. Berries, on the other hand, can be left whole.

The options are pretty much limitless when it comes to what you can infuse into vodka. Use fresh horseradish to make a fiery base for a Bloody Mary. Combine apples and cinnamon to create a fall-infused drink. During the summer, use this trick to enjoy the taste of peak produce for even longer.

Your host gifts year-round — and perhaps your bar cart at home — are about to become a lot exciting.