How to Infuse Liquor

Strawberry-infused Vodka

For those who have never infused liquor before, leaving porous substances (i.e. sliced fruit, meat, etc.) in alcohol for long durations of time (i.e. more than 72 hours) changes the texture of the liquid, thickening it.

Citrus fruit and herbs are exempt from this, but bacon and sliced strawberries are great examples of porous substances.

Infusing liquor is very easy. To make an absolutely amazing berry-infused vodka or berry-infused rum, follow these simple steps:

Take a large container that can be sealed air-tight and add a bottle of your liquor of choice and whole berries (rinsed and patted dry) - do not cut the stems or greens off the berry.

Then seal the container and leave it to infused for 4 to 6 weeks. Yes, I said 4 to 6 weeks.

Open the container and strain the berry-infused liquor into a glass bottle. Serve over ice and enjoy!

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The Bloody Hogger

The Bloody Heffer, a classic take on a Bloody Mary

The Bloody Hogger is a spin on the classic cocktail, Bloody Mary . With the incorporation of bacon-infused vodka, this bacon cocktail adds another dimension that truly is out of this world.

If you're a bacon lover and you enjoy a Bloody Mary now and then - you're going to really like this bacon-infused Bloody Mary recipe.

Once you try the Bloody Hogger, you’ll never want to go back to the old classic.

Ingredients for the Bloody Hogger (serves 4)

• 8 oz. Bacon-infused Vodka (see our recipe for bacon-infused liquor)
• 16 oz. Tomato Juice
• 1 Tbs. Horseradish
• 1 Tbs. Worcestershire Sauce
• Ground Cayenne Pepper to taste
• 1 tsp. Black pepper
• 1 tsp. Chili Powder

Preparation:

1. Rim the glasses lightly with bacon grease and celery salt.
2. Add ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
3. Shake well. Strain mixture over the ice cubes in a highball glass.
4. Squeeze a lime slice over the drink and garnish with a bacon slice.

Cheers!

Do you love bacon? Check out these bacon treats!

• new! Bacon Brownies Recipe
• Brown Sugar Candied Bacon (With a Kick)
• The Bloody Hogger
• Bacon Apple Martini
• Fat Washing Process for Bacon-Infused Liquor
• Grilled Cheese with Caramelized Onion, Applewood Bacon & Swiss Gruyere Cheese
• Super Cheesy 5 Cheese Mac and Cheese
• Pecan-Crusted French Toast

Bacon Apple Martini

Bacon Apple Martini

Have you ever tried a Bacon Apple Martini? This is one of my favorite sweet and savory cocktails. It actually adds legitimacy to the phrase “everything tastes better with bacon”. And this puppy is a perfect brunch cocktail.

Ingredients for the Bacon Apple Martini

• 4 oz. of Bacon-infused Vodka (see our recipe for bacon-infused liquor)
• 4 oz. Applejack
• 2 oz. Amaretto Liqueur
• 2 oz. Pure Maple Syrup
• 2 oz. Sparkling Apple Cider
• 2-4 slices Candied Bacon, halved crosswise (garnish)

Preparation:

1. Pre-chill 4 martini glasses.
2. In a large cocktail shaker, combine the bacon-infused vodka, applejack, amaretto, sparkling apple cider and maple syrup with ice.
3. Shake until mixture is ice-cold.
4. Strain the cocktail into the 4 chilled glasses and garnish each with 1-2 slices of candied bacon.
5. Serve immediately.

Check out this easy step-by-step Candied Bacon recipe.

Do you love bacon? Check out these bacon treats!

• new! Bacon Brownies Recipe
• Brown Sugar Candied Bacon (With a Kick)
• The Bloody Hogger
• Bacon Apple Martini
• Fat Washing Process for Bacon-Infused Liquor
• Grilled Cheese with Caramelized Onion, Applewood Bacon & Swiss Gruyere Cheese
• Super Cheesy 5 Cheese Mac and Cheese
• Pecan-Crusted French Toast

Fat Washing Process for Bacon-Infused Liquor

Fat washing process for bacon-infused Vodka

Fat washing is a method used to instill the flavor of a fatty substance, such as bacon or ham, into liquor. The meat is added to liquor and infused for a time, then the liquid is chilled and the fatty portion, which floats to the top, is then removed.  

Alcohol bonds to fat and sugars easily and fat washing is fairly simple. Though keep in mind that low-sodium bacon doesn’t work as well. When executed properly, fat washing leaves behind the taste of the bacon, but doesn’t retain a greasy taste or texture.

Here is a step by step fat washing process for bacon-infused liquor:

Bacon Fat Washing Ingredients:

• 5 Thick Slices of Applewood Smoked Bacon.
• 1 750 ml bottle of the liquor of your choice (we recommend rum, bourbon or vodka).

Preparation:

1.   Cook the bacon in the oven until it is crispy on the outsides but still chewy in the center.

2.   Place cooked bacon in a large glass jar (that can be sealed air-tight) with one 750 ml bottle of liquor and allow it to infuse for 24-36 hours (no more than 72 hours) at room temperature.

3.   Remove the bacon and then place the jar in the freezer until the bacon fat solidifies at the top.

4.   Using a cheese cloth or paper coffee filter, strain the fat from the liquor.

5.   Repeat the freezer step if needed and strain again.

6.   Refrigerate until ready for use.

Now you're ready to make your bacon-infused cocktails. Here are a couple of savory cocktails that we recommend:

• The Bloody Heffer
• Bacon Apple Martini

Do you love bacon? Check out these tasty bacon treats!

• new! Bacon Brownies Recipe
• Brown Sugar Candied Bacon (With a Kick)
• The Bloody Hogger
• Bacon Apple Martini
• Fat Washing Process for Bacon-Infused Liquor
• Grilled Cheese with Caramelized Onion, Applewood Bacon & Swiss Gruyere Cheese
• Super Cheesy 5 Cheese Mac and Cheese
• Pecan-Crusted French Toast

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