How TO INFUSE SPIRITS TO CREATE NEXT-LEVEL COCKTAILS

WRITTEN BY SCOTT VAN DORT

Infusing spirits is a game-changing technique that allows you to add new flavors or accentuate existing profiles of spirits, ultimately taking the taste of your drinks to new heights.

Regardless of whether you’ve just dipped your toe into home bartending or have fully dived into the world of mixing drinks, you’ve likely heard about ‘infusing spirits’. But what does it mean?

Infusing spirits by steeping fruits, herbs, or spices into a base liquor allows you to introduce specific flavors and elements that meld together, transforming the spirit into a unique and flavorful cocktail. This process enhances the complexity of the drink, offering a personalized touch that elevates the overall taste.

What Spirits Can You Infuse?

The possibilities are nearly endless but vodka, gin, and light rum specifically are all excellent bases for cocktail infusions. 

• Vodka: Perfect for infusing with fresh fruits like berries or citrus.

• Gin: Its botanical notes pair beautifully with herbs like rosemary or basil.

• Light Rum: Ideal for tropical infusions with mango, pineapple, or coconut.

How To Infuse Spirits

There are plenty of ways to infuse your base spirit – the simplest method is to drop herbs and spices, like a vanilla pod or cardamom seeds, straight into a bottle of vodka. Let it sit for a few weeks so that the herb or spice can infuse the spirit. Make sure to check the taste regularly until you reach the flavor strength you desire.

Another option is using a cocktail infusion vessel, as shown in the video on this page. These vessels make infusing cocktails a breeze, with minimal effort and cleanup.

While there are various types of cocktail infusion vessels with different models and designs, they all work similarly. You’ll see, we use a circular vessel with a clear body that shows off the ingredients inside. Its smart design ensures the ingredients have maximum contact with the liquid, delivering perfectly infused drinks straight from the spout. Let’s look at how they work, shall we?

How To Use a Cocktail Infusion Vessel

1. Add Fruits, Herbs, or Spices: Start by filling your cocktail infusion vessel with your chosen ingredients e.g., zesty citrus, fragrant herbs, or spicy ginger.
   
2. Add Your Spirit: Pour your spirit of choice through the spout on the side. Vodka, gin, or light rum are excellent bases that carry infused flavors well.
   
3. Let It Infuse: Allow the ingredients to steep and mingle with the spirit.
4. Add Ice: When your infusion is ready, fill your glass with ice.
5. Pour and Serve: Pour directly from the spout of your cocktail infusion vessel, watching as the infused liquid flows into your glass, adding a touch of drama to the serve.

How Long Do Spirit Infusions Take?

Ah! The most important question of all – how long does it take to infuse spirits? Well, infusion times vary based on the ingredients and desired flavor intensity.

Fresh Fruits, Herbs, and Light Spices

Suggested Time: 30 Minutes to a Few Hours

Tip: These ingredients release their flavors quickly. Taste every 15-30 minutes to find the desired balance and before flavors become overpowering or bitter.

Dried Spices and Complex Flavors

Suggested Time: Days to Weeks

Tip: For deeper, richer flavor profiles, let these ingredients infuse for several days or even weeks. Give the mixture a periodic shake to ensure even distribution.

How To Determine Infusion Time

Determining the perfect infusion time really comes down to perfect preference and desired taste. And the only way to find out is to taste it!

Define the Desired Flavor Strength

Consider whether you’re aiming for a subtle, fresh taste or a deep, complex flavor profile. Your goal will guide your infusion time.

Start with a Short Infusion Time

Kick things off with the minimum recommended time, like 30 minutes, to keep flavors from becoming overpowering.

Adapt the Infusion Time to Your Ingredients

Keep in mind that some ingredients, like citrus rind, can become bitter if left too long. Adjust accordingly.

Taste as You Go

Taste-test your infusion as its steeping (e.g. every 15 minutes) to see how the flavors are developing. Adjust as needed depending on your desired goal.

How Long Do Infused Spirits Last?

In theory, an infused spirit that’s bottled can last indefinitely if stored right, but for the best taste, they’re best consumed within a few months to a year. 

More specifically, how long an infused spirit lasts before it expires depends on the ingredients and the alcohol proof – higher proof and dried ingredient infusions will last longer. 

If you’re using fresh fruit, for example, keep the infused spirit in the fridge and enjoy it within 2–4 weeks.

Time is of the essence, so start infusing today!