What makes a cocktail or mocktail refreshing and unique? It’s not the alcohol but the syrups and infusions that elevate the flavour. They tone down the pungent or hard taste of the liquor and elevate its undertones and nose. Making DIY syrups and infusions at home will allow you to experiment with spirits and grow as a bartender.
From rosemary sprigs to cinnamon sticks, what ingredients pair with which kinds of alcohol is a learning curve that you can’t get a grasp of without experimenting. Here are a few recipes to try and make hanging out at the home bar more interesting.
Spice Apple Brandy Infusion
Slice two apples and combine them with two cinnamon sticks, star anise, 750 ml apple brandy, and four cloves. Add this drink to a clean jar and store it in a dark and cool place for at least a week. Use a cheesecloth to drain the mixture and transfer it again into another clean bottle. This infusion can stay in your refrigerator for at least three months and can be used to prepare hot ciders, cocktails aligning with the fall theme, and warm slippers for cosy nights.
Vanilla Syrup
Split a vanilla bean lengthwise and cook it with the solution of water and granulated sugar. Once the mixture starts simmering, turn off the flame and let the syrup cool for 30 minutes. Remove the vanilla bean and store the concoction in a bottle in your refrigerator for a month. It is a perfect addition to coffee-based cocktails, old fashions, and daiquiris.
Berry Infused Gin
Take your favourite bottle of gin (750 ml) and submerge a cup of your preferred berries in it along with a couple of tablespoons of sugar. You can avoid sugar or replace it with a healthier alternative. After storing this mixture in a cool and dry place for at most five days, adjust the sweetness, strain the concoction, and refrigerate it for two months. It is perfect for preparing tonic mixtures, berry martinis, and spritzers.
Ginger-Lemon Syrup
Cook a cup of water and sugar in a saucepan until the two combine into a stick mixture. Add half a cup of peeled ginger and zest of two lemons. After bringing the mixture to a boil, let it simmer and reduce in quantity for 20 minutes. Once it has cooled off, strain it, and store it in a clean bottle for at least three weeks. It goes well with mojitos and Moscow mules.
Citrus-Infused Vodka
Submerge thin slices of an orange, a lime, and a lemon in 750 ml of vodka. Store this concoction in a bottle for five days but ensure to shake it at least once a day. Taste the vodka, strain it, and refrigerate it for two months. If you like screwdrivers, martinis, and spritzers, prepare them using this infused liquor.
Herbal Tequila
Take your favourite tequila and use it to submerge a quarter cup of basil and coriander leaves. Add a jalapeno to it and keep it aside in the dark for three days. This herb-infused tequila is just what you need on Friday nights to unwind. If you like your drink to taste spicier, you can add more jalapenos to it. Use this drink to make tequila sunrises, different kinds of margaritas, and a variety of other delicious cocktails.