Walk into your local liquor store, and you will immediately notice their shelves are lined with an endless assortment of fruit-flavored beverages, from rum and vodka to tequila and bourbon. When done properly, infusing craft spirits with fruits can provide a magnificent twist to all your cocktails.

However, it’s critical to understand that infused liquor isn’t only for cocktail bars or commercial giants; you can easily incorporate fruit with your favorite craft spirits and drinks at home. All you require is a few ingredients, tools, and some time. But in the end, it will be worth the hassle to experience these fruity craft infusions.

Tools you will need 

These fruit-pre essentials are easy to find and affordable.

Peeler

A peeler will help you quickly remove the unwanted parts without damaging the rest of the fruit. For instance, a peeler will effectively remove the rinds if you plan to incorporate citrus into your craft spirit.

Mason Jar

Apothecary and mason jars are ideal for infusing craft spirits because they are simple to clean and seal tightly. The jars also provide an extra benefit of being completely clear, allowing you to observe the incorporation process.

The specific size of jar you will need for the process depends on the amount of liquor you aim to infuse.

Knife

A well-sharped knife will be essential to remove all the unwanted parts of a plant, such as bitter seeds. Also, if you are infusing the spirit with more than one fruit, a knife will enable you to bring out the flavor profiles of each ingredient.

Muddler

A muddler will help you to bruise and crush the additives. Doing so ensures all the essential oils and flavor profiles can infiltrate the base spirit.

If you don’t have a muddler, you can use other kitchen tools to get the job done. For instance, a potato masher can work well on fruit, but you must first crunch in a bowl since most potato mashers are large and won’t fit in a mason jar.

Strainer

A sizeable mesh strainer or cheesecloth is preferable to filter additives from the craft spirit once you finish the incorporation. Only using a strainer will allow you to remove the big chunks from your final product. However, the more finer particles you can clear, the longer your beverage will last.

So, using a cheesecloth and a filter would be preferable if you want to store your drink for weeks or longer. Also, it wouldn’t hurt to strain a couple of times.

Funnel

A funnel will enable you to transfer the infused beverage into the storage container, especially if it has a narrow opening.

Picking the craft spirit and fruit to incorporate

Choosing the craft spirit 

A neutral drink like vodka will work well with most fruits as it has no inherent flavors that will clash with the fruits. But, you can also use tequila, gin, or rum provided you select additives complementing botanicals used during distillation.

Darker spirits like bourbon and brandy will work well if you pair the fruits with the complex notes they contain.

Choosing your fruit

You should only use the highest quality of fruit available in the market and ensure it is organic and fully ripe. As for the type of fruit, that will depend on your particular preference. Here are some suggestions to consider.

• Gin: strawberries or blackberries 
• Bourbon: apples, cherries, oranges, plums or figs
• Tequila: grapefruit, pomegranate or watermelon
• Vodka: grapes, lemons or blueberries 
• Rum: coconut, bananas, lime, mango, passion fruit or pineapple 

Procedure

Step 1: Prepare your ingredients

Start by thoroughly washing your fruits and remove all the parts you normally wouldn’t consume, such as stems, pits, tough rinds, cores, leaves, etc., then chop the edible parts. You can keep the edible skins of pears, apples, or peaches, as these skins add color and contribute some tannic compounds to your drink over time.

For berries, you can leave them whole, but for citrus fruits, it is better only to use the peels (minus the white pith containing essential oils.) However, if you don’t have time to wait for weeks, use the entire fruit by slicing it into ¼ inch rounds. It will speed up the whole process, and you will have a finished product within 12 hours.

Step 2: Determine the proportions 

For proportions, the ratios will vary primarily by ingredients. It’s safe to use a 1:1 ratio of alcohol to fruit. But this won’t apply to spicy peppers, which you should use prudently. For instance, half a jalapeno will go well with 12 ounces of vodka. 

Also, a 1:1 ratio may be intense if you plan to include spices. So, it’s preferable to use potent spices like clove and cinnamon in tiny amounts. It is better to err by having too little ingredient than too much.

Step 3: Combine & Store 

After preparing the ingredients, add the fruit to a jar and pour the craft spirit. Close the jar and shake it for a minute or so, then place it in a cool place, without direct sunlight, for it to steep.

Continue shaking the jar daily until the incorporation is complete. Once you determine it’s ready, open the jar and filter the mixture through a cheesecloth or strainer to eliminate all the particles. Aim for a crystal clear product.

Store the beverage in an airtight container with a free-flowing pouring lid. Alcohol is a preservative, so the drink can stay fresh for months, but you can also store it in a fridge.

How long to incorporate fruit with craft spirits

It depends on the base spirit’s ABV (stronger proof liquor extracts flavor quickly) and how ripe your fruit is.

In addition, it’s a matter of individual preference, so the best bet is to routinely taste the concoction until you feel it has attained your requirements. Remember that most fruit infusions take 3 to 4 days to be ready. However, some combinations need weeks or more.

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. What fruits blend well with whiskey?

Pears and apples will make for a tasty fruity drink as they don’t have too much juice that could damage how the whiskey tastes.

2. How long will a homemade fruit infusion last?

Provided you strain it well and store it in a cool, dark place, most infusions can last up to a year.

3. Top spices to use when infusing craft spirits 

Cardamon pods, lavender buds, cacao nibs, and cinnamon sticks work well with most spirits.

Conclusion 

Want to learn how to make cocktails or about events where you can meet and interact with expert mixologists? Visit our Distillery Nearby Page. You will also find plenty of information about the different types of spirits, distilleries in different states, and more.