Weekend Project: Infused Spirits

Put a unique spin on your home cocktails with infused spirits! They’re simple to make with the Mason Jar Infuser, which makes it easy to filter, pour, seal, store and serve your signature creations. Here, we talk to Josh Williams and Eric Prum, creators of the infuser and authors of the cocktail book Shake, for their best tips and combinations. Cheers!

 

How do you use the infuser? Tell us how it works.

We like to view the Mason Jar Infuser as a flavor extractor. To make infused spirits to use in cocktails, you simply place flavorful ingredients and a craft liquor of your choice in the infuser, give a shake and let the spirit absorb the flavors of your ingredients. Depending on the type of infusion you are making, the infusing time can vary anywhere from a few minutes to several weeks.

 

An easy, quick-infused liquor using fresh summer fruit can be made in the following three steps:

 

1)   Add fresh summer fruit to the infuser.

2)   Using a muddler or wooden kitchen spoon, crush the fruit lightly in the bottom of the infuser.

3)   Cap the infuser, shake to combine the ingredients and let sit in a cool, dark place until flavorful.

 

Once you have created your own infused spirits you can use them just as you would a flavored spirit you purchase at a store.

 

What are some of your favorite combination ideas?

Summer is a great time to make infused spirits. Farmers’ markets are bursting with seasonal fruit and vegetables just waiting to be combined with your favorite craft spirit. Here are a few of our favorite combinations:

 

1)   Spicy Cucumber-Jalapeño Gin (see recipe below!)

2)   Fresh Blueberry Vodka

3)   Summer Peach Bourbon

4)   Roasted Pineapple Mezcal

5)   Homemade Spiced Rum

 

Any other tips to keep in mind when using it?

The best thing to keep in mind when using the infuser is that great infusions come from great ingredients. Try to use fruit and vegetables that are in season, whether it be farmers’ market peaches in summer or fresh citrus in the winter months.

 

Any fun twists or variations to try?

If you happen to end up over-indulging on infused liquors, the Mason Jar Infuser can also be used to make delicious (and hydrating) infused waters. Our favorite hangover recovery recipe after a long night is a combination of spring water, lemon, ginger, cayenne, turmeric and agave nectar, which all combine to create a potent and refreshing elixir that will wake you up and jumpstart your day.

 

Cucumber-Chile Gin

 

6 fl. oz. (180 ml) gin

1 chile de árbol

1/4 English cucumber, thinly sliced into rounds

 

In an infusing jar, combine the gin, chile de árbol and cucumber. Cover and shake for 15 to 20 seconds, then let sit for at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours. Strain the gin into a small pitcher. Try it in our Jalapeno-Lime Coolers with Cucumber-Chile Gin.