Not everyone has acquired a taste for neat vodka – potato creaminess or no potato creaminess – but it makes an excellent base for all manner of refreshing summer cocktails and puddings, especially when combined with traditional British fruits such as raspberries, blackcurrants or even gooseberries.

Because it is such a neutral spirit, it also takes on flavourings particularly well. You can buy ready-infused vodkas, but it is much more fun, and such a doddle, to make your own. The hedgerows are rich in possibilities, from the elderflowers coming into season now (pick them when they are white and newly opened) through to plums, blackberries and sloes – the fruit of the hawthorn and traditionally the end note to the British berry season in November. Simply place about 250g of your chosen fruit in a bottle of vodka (or gin, which works equally
 well) and add sugar to taste. Raspberries will need a couple of tablespoons, sloes more like ten. Then leave to steep for about a month, turning occasionally.

Hedgerow martini

Put your elderflower or berry-infused vodka in the freezer for at least three hours before you need it. Pour two measures of vodka and one measure of dry vermouth into a cocktail shaker, fill with
ice, shake and strain into a martini glass. Or, arguably more authentic and depending on how dry you want your drink, just spray the inside of the glass 
with a touch of vermouth (or 
swirl a drop around) and pour 
in your vodka. Garnish with the appropriate berry, ideally frozen, or a twist of lemon.

Rosemaund royale

Fill a shaker with ice, add a large measure of rhubarb-infused vodka and a squeeze of lemon juice. Shake and strain into tall glasses filled with ice. Top up with ginger beer.

Strawberry bellini

Add a measure of home-made strawberry-infused vodka to champagne flutes. Top up with champagne or sparkling wine.

Vodka-steeped 
summer fruits

Cover a selection of summer fruits – strawberries, raspberries, blueberries all work well – in vodka and chill for at least four hours (although the mixture will keep in the fridge well for two days). Serve the steeped fruits with ice cream and garnish with mint.

Vodka-marinated plums with ice cream

Serves 2

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