iPhone app iPad app Android phone app Android tablet app More

Featuring fresh takes and real-time analysis from HuffPost's signature lineup of contributors
The Daily Meal

The Daily Meal

Posted: February 16, 2011 12:52 PM

10 Secrets to Perfect Liquor Infusions


2011-02-11-NewLeafCocktails19Version2.jpg

Recipes that call for ingredients like "bacon-infused bourbon" and "housemade tangerine and serrano vodka" needn't send novice home bartenders running. Liquor infusions are not just a trick reserved for experienced and creative-minded mixologists. Just ask Mark Comer, bartender at New York's New Leaf Restaurant & Bar.

His biggest piece of advice for first-timers? "Don't be intimidated." The process is meant to be fun, and experimentation is key. He shared that in the two years he had been infusing alcohol he'd only botched one batch out of dozens. "Most likely, the worst case scenario is not quite getting the flavor you had hoped for. So either infuse it again, or make a drink with ingredients that will make your so-so infusion part of an outstanding cocktail."

OK, so the pressure's off -- he admits that things rarely turn out exactly the way you would expect -- but how about a few helpful industry insider tips? We got Mark to share his top 10, from the more obvious ("start by listing your favorite flavors") to the wisdom that only comes with experience ("go easy on the cloves when you use them").

-- Maryse Chevriere, The Daily Meal

List Your Favorite Flavors First
1 of 11
Mark recommends to start by listing your favorite flavors -- some of his include orange, vanilla, cinnamon, mint, basil, lemon, lime, cucumber, and huckleberry. He notes that mixing and matching can produce amazing flavors. "For example you could produce a spicy apple flavor by infusing very ripe apples, vanilla, cloves, and cinnamon. (But go easy on the cloves, too many will kill your batch and numb your mouth)."

Related: How to Make Pepper and Tangerine Infused Vodka
Total comments: 8 | Post a Comment
1 of 11
Rate This Slide

  • 1

  • 2

  • 3

  • 4

  • 5

  • 6

  • 7

  • 8

  • 9

  • 10
Current Top 5 Slides
Users who voted on this slide
loading...

More drink content from The Daily Meal:

Drink Quiz: Cocktail Matchmaker

4 Innovative Cocktail Mixers, Cubed

3 "Chocolaty" Wines for Valentine's Day

5 Food and Wine Pairings for Valentine's Day

 

Follow The Daily Meal on Twitter: www.twitter.com/dailymealtweets

Recipes that call for ingredients like "bacon-infused bourbon" and "housemade tangerine and serrano vodka" ...
Recipes that call for ingredients like "bacon-infused bourbon" and "housemade tangerine and serrano vodka" ...
 
 
  • Comments
  • 8
  • Pending Comments
  • 0
  • View FAQ
Comments are closed for this entry
View All
Favorites
Recency  | 
Popularity
10:41 PM on 02/21/2011
I just read a post that walks you through the fat washing process (infusing bacon into liquor) and lists a couple bacon cocktails that look really delish. http://blenderbooze.blogspot.com/2011/02/fat-washing-process-for-bacon-infused.html
Making bacon-infused liquor is actually a really simple process.
04:48 PM on 02/17/2011
Thanks for some great advice. I've just begun experimenting with infusions and I would add one more suggestion - start with small batches. If they don't turn out as hoped you don't want to waste a whole bottle of liquor.
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
03:55 PM on 02/16/2011
use a paper coffee filter to filter the infusion.
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
03:51 PM on 02/16/2011
infusing with citrus - why not zest the rind as opposed to using big chunks of rind? I would think that the alcohol would pull a lot of oil out of the zest and since none of the white pith is included there would be no chance of bitterness.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
jaredbrain
02:36 PM on 02/16/2011
bell pepper and pepper vodka in a bloody mary. you're welcome.
photo
Jbalfour
just a micro-bio
02:06 PM on 02/16/2011
This is great advice. I am just now getting into making infusions and it is a lot of fun. They also make great gifts. I am definately going to try that Bacon bourbon I've been trying to think of a good way to do a bacon infusion for a month now.
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
01:37 PM on 02/16/2011
we all *know* that.... my apologies
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
01:36 PM on 02/16/2011
This is great, now if only a few of the bartenders I know would read this.... Seriously, we all that far too many places have huge liquor selections and gorgeous bars but the bartenders know not what to do with half of it, they skew more to the drink maker side of the bell curve. And for those of you who I lost.... A bartender knows what they are doing and takes pride in it, a drink maker simply took the required class to get certified or has a pretty face and/or large breasts