5 Liquor Infusions You Need to Try
Liquor infusions are fun ways to reintroduce your favorite alcoholic drinks to family or friends. Infusion refers to the flavor-absorption process into bottled alcoholic drinks, or in simpler terms, the mixing of flavors.
Here are some liquor infusion recipes you must try.
Green Tea Gin
Ingredients: ½ ounce salted pistachio honey syrup, ½ ounce lemon juice, 1 ½ ounces green-tea infused gin, 3 to 4 dashes of roman chamomile bitters, and ice cubes
Preparation: to make the salted pistachio honey syrup, add equal parts of honey, water, and salted pistachios in a saucepan and bring to a boil while constantly stirring. Cool while covered for 1 to 2 hours then strain the pistachios to transfer to a sealed jar.
To make the infused gin, place ¼ cup of tea leaves in a 1-liter gin bottle and steep for 2 hours. Strain the leaves before transferring to another bottle. To make a green tea gin, place all the listed ingredients in a cocktail shaker then shake well. Strain into a chilled glass filled with ice.
Rye and Cocoa Whiskey
Ingredients: ½ orange slice, ½ ounce demerara syrup, 1 brandied cherry, 2 ½ ounces rye whiskey infused with cocoa, ice, and 3 dashes of mole bitters
Preparation: To make a demerara syrup, bring water to a boil then dissolve brown sugar/turbinado/coconut sugar/palm sugar. Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes then cool before bottling. To create the infusion, muddle cherry, demerara syrup, orange, and bitters in a glass. Fill it with ice then add infused whiskey. Stir lightly before serving.
Skittles-Infused Vodka
Ingredients: 1.75 liters vodka and 1 pound Skittles (Tropical or Wild Berry flavors)
Preparation: For every 7 ounces of vodka, you must use 70 pieces of skittles of the same flavor, so you’ll have to separate them beforehand. Place the Skittles in bottles/jars then add the vodka. Shake the bottles/jars then set aside for several hours. Shake the bottles every hour to make the Skittles dissolve faster. Strain the vodka using cheesecloth and coffee filter then discard the white gunk. Chill before serving.
Basil and Strawberry-Infused Vodka
Ingredients: Hulled and air-dried strawberries, washed and air-dried basil leaves, and vodka
Preparation: Place cut strawberries and basil leaves in alternating layers in a jar. The jar should have half an inch of remaining space near the rim. Fix the lid and shake. Finally, infuse the vodka in a dark and cool place for three days. Strain the basil and fruit to store.
Hibiscus Margarita
Ingredients: 3 cups water, ¾ cup dried hibiscus flowers, ½ cup sweetener of your choice, 1 large lime, 2 ounces silver tequila, 1 tablespoons agave nectar, and ice cubes
Preparation: To make the hibiscus tea, bring water to a boil then add hibiscus flower. Next, steep for 30 minutes then strain into and add sweetener. To make a margarita, place ½ cup of hibiscus tea, agave nectar, lime juice, tequila, and ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake well and pour into glasses with ice. You can sugar or salt the rims or dilute the liquor with sparkling water.