These 5 Homemade Gourmet Vinegar Flavors to make easily at home are a great way to use up the fresh herb bounty you may have growing in your garden. Not only are they delicious and beautiful, but they’re also super easy to make and are great gifts as well! Get a jump start on the gift giving season with this easy DIY!

What Is Homemade Gourmet Vinegar?

Homemade gourmet vinegar is simply vinegar infused with herbs, fruit, spices, or edible flowers. The vinegar pulls out flavor, color, and aroma over time. You get a bright, complex vinegar you can use in homemade salad dressings, marinades, sauces, and even desserts.
It looks beautiful on your counter and feels like a fancy pantry upgrade, without the price tag.

Best Vinegar to Use

You can use almost any vinegar, but each one has strengths.

Champagne vinegar

• light flavor
• perfect for citrus, mint, and edible flowers

Apple cider vinegar

• fruit-forward
• great with cinnamon, cloves, apples

White wine vinegar

• crisp
• pairs well with peppers, lemon, herbs

Red wine vinegar

• bold
• perfect for strong herbs, garlic
• hides flowers visually, but tastes amazing

Pick a vinegar you already like. Better vinegar = better flavor.

Then head out to your garden if you have one, or the store if not, and grab some fresh herbs and spices. I combined everything in Clear Glass Beverage Bottles and closed them up with the included White Metal Plastisol Lined Lug Caps.  

5 Homemade Gourmet Vinegar Flavors to Make Easily at Home

Homemade gourmet vinegar can be used to liven up so many dishes. Use them in homemade salad dressings, to marinate meat, in fruit salads and other desserts, and in veggie dishes too. The options are endless.

How Long to Infuse Each Flavor

Timing depends on the ingredients. Taste every week.

Soft herbs
Mint, basil, oregano
2–3 weeks

Woody herbs
Rosemary, thyme, sage
3–4 weeks

Fruit and flowers
Apple, citrus, marigold
3–4 weeks

Garlic and peppers
Start tasting at week 2
Adjust to taste

When in doubt, give it time. Infusion builds flavor a little every day.

Gifting Ideas for Homemade Vinegar

Flavored vinegar makes a beautiful homemade gift.

• Use recycled bottles or flip-top jars
• Add a small sprig of fresh herbs for decoration
• Tie on a tag with serving ideas
• Add a “Best by” date: 4–6 months refrigerated

Pair with:

• Homemade bread
• A jar of local honey
• Olive oil from a small producer

It looks thoughtful and feels special.

5 Homemade Gourmet Vinegar Flavors to Make Easily at Home

1. Greek Garlic Herb Vinegar – 

Fabulous for meat marinades and homemade salad dressings (like this creamy roasted garlic salad dressing) and delicious on roasted veggies too!. Combine two sprigs fresh oregano, one sprig fresh basil and one garlic bulb (separated into cloves and peeled) in two cups red wine vinegar.

2. Apple Cinnamon Vinegar – 

Great for fruit salad and salad dressings. Combine 1 chopped apple with a handful of cloves and two cinnamon sticks in two cups apple cider vinegar.

3. Gourmet Marigold Vinegar – 

Did you know marigolds are edible flowers? They are! Marigolds have a spicy, citrusy flavor and a marigold vinegar is nice addition to meat marinades and homemade salad dressings. Combine one cup marigold flowers with two cups champagne vinegar.

4. Gourmet Hot Pepper Vinegar – 

Great for dipping sauce, homemade salad dressings, and meat marinades too! Combine one tablespoon peppercorns with five or six jalapeno peppers. Make sure to slit the peppers before adding them to the jar to really release their juices. Combine with two cups white wine vinegar for a delicious combination.

5. Gourmet Citrus Mint Vinegar – 

Another great vinegar for fruit salads or as a meat marinade (especially for lamb). Combine two springs fresh mint with zest of one lemon (spirals if you can! And hats off to you!) plus several lemon slices in two cups apple cider vinegar.

In addition to vinegar and herbs, you’ll also need these supplies for your homemade gourmet vinegar:

Glass beverage jars. You can use these cute glass flip-top jars or any other type of jar, including canning jars you may already have on hand.

You’ll also need a funnel to assist in getting the vinegar in the jars. Because of the acidity of the vinegar, you will need to put a layer of wax paper between the vinegar and the lid if you use a  metal lid.

How to Use Homemade Gourmet Vinegar

Use your flavored vinegars anywhere you want a boost of acidity and aroma.

Dressings and sauces

• Greek garlic vinegar + olive oil, mustard, and honey
• Apple cinnamon vinegar + yogurt for a creamy dressing
• Citrus mint vinegar + tahini and lemon

Fruit salads

• Apple cinnamon over berries
• Citrus mint over melon
• Marigold vinegar for stone fruit

Marinades

• Greek garlic vinegar for chicken and pork
• Citrus mint for lamb
• Hot pepper vinegar with lime and garlic

Vegetables

• Toss roasted potatoes
• Splash over green beans
• Add to slaws

A little goes a long way.

Food Safety Tips for Infused Vinegar

Infused vinegar is simple, but use a few safety steps.

Heat the vinegar
Warming the vinegar extracts flavor faster. It also reduces the risk of unwanted microbes.

Sterilize your jars
Boil jars for 10 minutes or run them through your dishwasher on sterilize mode.

Never add oil
Oil creates a low-acid environment. That can allow botulism to grow. Keep your infusion oil-free.

Store in a cool, dark place
Let the vinegar infuse on your counter or pantry for 3–4 weeks. Keep it away from heat and light.

Strain and refrigerate
After you reach the flavor you want, strain the herbs and store the vinegar in clean jars in the fridge.

If you ever see mold, bubbling, cloudiness, or sliminess, toss it.

Printable instructions for the gourmet vinegars to make easily at home