The Best Whiskey Infusions You Can Make (Slideshow)
Decadent and sweet, but with a hint of tart, this infusion drinks beautifully on its own as an aperitif, or mixed in as the base of a dessert cocktail. Try adding an ounce of Godiva white chocolate liqueur, and an ounce of heavy cream, shaken and poured over ice.
Click here for The Chocolate Covered Cherry Whiskey Infusion Recipe
The Texas Cowboy Whiskey Infusion
I like to imagine a couple of old, windblown fence-riders carrying this spicy infusion along the border in their saddlebags. Depending on how spicy you care to make it, you can remove the seeds for a mellower heat. It's perfect on its own, or if you want to mix with it, try adding a half-ounce of homemade sour mix (lemon and lime juice, and simple syrup), and a dash of grapefruit bitters for a fiery whiskey sour.
The Tennessee Julep Whiskey Infusion
Break out the seersucker and gingham for this Southern-inspired infusion. Refreshing, sweet and tart, you don't need much more than crushed ice and qa steel julep cup to enjoy this summer sipper.
The Cold Remedy Infusion
You don't need a cold to add this infusion to a cup of hot tea, but it'll certainly help if you do. The classic comfort combo of ginger, lemon, and honey will cure what ails you, but will also satisfy stirred over ice with a half-ounce of Cointreau and a dash of Angostura bitters.
The Hot & Smokey Infusion
I love the combination of smoke and spice with whiskey, and this infusion has both in spades. Use a good rye whiskey as it isn't as sweet as bourbon, and will allow the smokey, citrus characteristics to shine through. Feel free to remove the seeds from the peppers to dial down the heat.
The Early Riser Whiskey Infusion
One of my favorite meals has always been breakfast-for-dinner, and now I present this infusion in the same spirit: breakfast-for-boozing. Coffee and bacon share a table in the a.m. hours, but when infused into whiskey, they've found a new home in my p.m. highball glass. You can mix this into a cocktail if you want, but it's just too good on its own to muddy with other flavors.
Mulled Whiskey Infusion
Some people like to plan ahead for the holidays, and this mulled infusion is great way to get the Yuletide spirit going a little early. Using traditional mulling spices, this is great mixed into egg nog, or stirred together with hot cider.
The Salted Caramel & Walnut Whiskey Infusion
This salty, sweet, and woody infusion is a perfect base for mixing a desert cocktail, though I wouldn't gild the lily with too many other cocktail ingredients. Shake it up with an ounce of Bailey's or an ounce of pumpkin spice liqueur for a decadent after dinner sweetie. Also, whatever you do, don't throw away the boozy, caramel fat-cap you skim off the top. Melt it down and pour it over ice cream, stir it into coffee, or smear it on cinnamon toast. It's almost better than the infusion itself.
Click here for The Salted Caramel & Walnut Whiskey Infusion Recipe