Infuse Your Summer Cocktail Party with Flavor and Flair.

NEW YORK -- From New York to L.A., infused vodkas and the creative cocktails made with them are all the rage at trendy bars. And while infused vodkas add a stylish twist to any cocktail, they are surprisingly easy to make. The fresh, vibrant flavors of infused vodka are perfect for summer entertaining. Why not impress guests at your next cocktail party with custom infusions you make yourself?

An infusion is simply a way to add flavor to liquid -- think of a tea bag in hot water. In the case of infused vodka, you can add fruits, vegetables, herbs, chili peppers, even vanilla beans, for a custom combination. Just remember that it will take a few days for the vodka to fully absorb your ingredients' flavors, so plan ahead. Start making your infusion three-to-four days before your party. The experts at FRIS(R) Vodka provide these step-by-step instructions for making your own infused vodka:

-- Start with premium vodka, like FRIS, the only vodka created using a patented freeze distillation process, which delivers a clean, smooth tasting vodka that is the perfect base for infusions. Start with classic vodka, or try FRIS' Lime or Red Apple flavored vodkas for even more depth.

-- Use a tall glass (no plastic, please) jar with a tight fitting lid for your infusions.

-- Infuse your vodka with the highest quality ingredients you can find. Clean all your ingredients and remove any soft, bruised or brown spots from fruits and vegetables. Try FRIS Vodka Lime infused with lemon or with pineapple and coconut - the combinations are limited only by your imagination.

-- Add small fruits like berries to the infusion whole. Slice larger fruits like oranges and pineapples. You can add whole sprigs of herbs. Add hot peppers whole for less heat.

-- Seal the jar, give it a good shake to get the flavors fusing and store at room temperature out of direct light.

-- Taste the infusion daily. When the flavor is exactly what you want, strain the vodka into a clean container and discard the infusion ingredients.

-- Use your infused vodka to create your own signature cocktail, or try one of the recipes available at http://www.vodkainfusions.com.

Continue the infusion theme as you plan the food and decorations for your party. For example, Thai food is a great complement to a basil/ginger infusion while fruit salads go wonderfully with fruit infusions.

You can even use your infusion ingredients as decorations: place a dozen lemons and limes in the bottom of a glass vase and add water and flowers for an easy decoration with a lot of impact. Or fill a goldfish bowl with fresh cranberries and add floating candles. Individual pots of herbs placed on the buffet table are another easy decorative touch.

Here's a fruity infusion to get your party started.

FRIS Cranberry Raspberry Apple Infusion

-- 1 bottle (750 ml) FRIS Vodka Apple

-- 1 cup (4 ounces by weight) fresh or frozen cranberries

-- 1 cup (4 ounces by weight) fresh or frozen raspberries

Place fruit in an infusion jar and top with vodka. Let infuse for 2 days.

For more infusion and cocktail recipes, visit http://www.frisvodka.com.