Make your own flavored vinegars instead of just pickles. Infuse the flavor of your favorite herbs and fruits into vinegar for an added experience in the kitchen. Flavored vinegar is a wonderful gift any time of year. You can make a variety of healthy flavored vinegars in your kitchen using safe food-handling procedures. When you make your own vinegars, use only glass jars with a cap or cork and pay attention to cooking times and storage recommendations.
Remove any bacteria from the fresh herbs by soaking in a solution of 1 tsp. bleach to 6 cups of water. Remove the herbs after 5 minutes and rinse well with clear water. Pat dry and set aside on clean paper towels.
Store the processing flavored vinegars for three weeks or more in a dark place until the desired flavor is achieved. A good storage space is an unused shelf in your pantry. Remove any skewers from the jars and strain the vinegar through a cheesecloth until the liquid is clear.