We all have that dusty bottle of cheap vodka taking up precious space in our apartment: a remnant of an ill-advised trip to the liquor store.
Since you can't drink it straight, and your usual orange juice mixer isn't enough to mask its horrendous burn, we've found some creative hacks to put your leftover vodka to good use — from making tasty desserts to creating your own vanilla extract.
Pie Crust
Vodka is the surprising ingredient that is essential for a foolproof pie crust. Unlike water, alcohol doesn't promote gluten formation when mixed with flour, helping the crust stay tender and flaky.
Limoncello
Peel some lemon zest, add it to your vodka, and let it sit in direct sunlight for a few days. After straining out the peels, mix in sugar to taste. What you're left with is a much less cloying, citrusy liquor.
(Note: higher-proof grains work better because they will extract more lemon flavor, making your foul-tasting vodka taste smoother.)
Vodka Sauce
Stir a shot of vodka into a simmering pot of crushed plum tomatoes, heavy cream, and Italian herbs. Cook off the alcohol until the sauce thickens slightly, then add a fat pinch of Parmesan as the final touch.
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