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How to Make Sous Vide Alcohol Infusions Recipes and Master Guide
Most alcohols are infused at 130°F to 160°F (55°C to 71°C) for 1 to 3 hours. The time and temperature used depends on the flavoring agents you are using. For more delicate flavors I usually use lower temperatures and shorter times. When bolder, or bitter, flavors are desired then higher temperatures and longer times are used.
The first step is to seal the alcohol and flavoring agents in a sous vide bag, Mason jar or other sealed container. I prefer mason jars to plastic bags but either work well. It can be hard to vacuum seal if you only have an edge sealer thought.
You want to make sure it seals so the alcohol and aromatics don't escape during the heating process.
Step two is to put the bag or jar into a heated water bath and set your immersion circulator to your desired temperature. I generally infuse my sous vide alcohol at 135°F to 160°F (57.2°C to 71°C) for 1 to 3 hours.
The higher temperatures will impart more of a cooked or bitter flavors and the lower temperatures are usually best for more mild aromatic or floral items, especially if you are used to room temperature or cold infusions. The sous vide method allows you to set the exact temperature you want.
The longer the infusion times, the longer the alcohol infuses for and the stronger the final flavor will be. One to three hours for the is usually ideal for me, with a definite difference between the ends of the spectrum.
Once the infusion is done, take it out of the water bath and let it cool for about 10 minutes. At that point, place it in cold water or a water bath to fully chill the alcohol.
At that point it is ready to be used however you want! I will usually strain it though so I can easily use it in cocktails or other drinks.
As mentioned, there are a few differences between this and a standard infusion.
Alcohol has a Lower Boiling Point
The first main difference is that sous vide alcohol shouldn't be heated above it's boiling point, which is around 173°F (78°C). Because of this, alcohol is much more volatile than water or vinegar, and if heated above 173°F (78°C) it can very quickly cause bags (or even Mason jars) to burst.
Because of this, I stick to a low temperature and usually max out alcohol at 150°F to 160°F (65°C to 71°C) just to be on the safe side.
Alcohol is More Volatile
Another difference is that because it is more volatile, it is very important to chill the infusion once it is done sous viding. It's always important for infusions to lock in the flavor, but for alcohol infusions it is even more critical.
What Types of Alcohol Infuse Best?
Base spirits like vodka, whiskey, and rum are the most common alcohols to infuse but traditional infusions can be done on any spirit with a high alcohol percentage.
Using a sous vide machine or whipping siphon methods allows even high-sugar liqueurs or quick-to-fade wines to be safely infused. The liquors retain their existing flavors so the bolder the liquor is, the less the flavoring agents will impact the final taste of the infusion.
Because of this, vodka or another neutral spirit such as Everclear are often used for infusions because they allow the full flavor of the flavoring agents to shine through. White rum and silver tequilas are also very popular because of their mild flavors, which lend well to many infusions.
The ratio of alcohol to water will also affect the kind of flavors that are pulled out due to different components and their specific water, oil, or alcohol soluability.
Once you move away from the milder spirits, the flavoring agents need to complement the base spirit being used. Infusing bourbon and dark rum can result in wonderful drinks but you should stick to ingredients that will work in tandem with their strong flavors, not against them. You will also need to use stronger flavoring agents because subtle notes can get lost in the deeply flavored spirits.
In traditional infusions, the proof of the liquor (the amount of alcohol present in it) affects the strength of the infusion. The higher the proof, the more flavor will be drawn out. Because of this, I tend to use overproof or 100+ proof spirits in traditional infusions. This effect is less pronounced in sous vide infusions and almost non-existent when using the whipping siphon.
My favorite application is to use infused alcohol as components in cocktails. The flavors add great complexity in both alcohol-heavy drinks such as a Manhattan, Old Fashioned, or martini as well as lighter drinks like fizzes or sodas. You can also turn infused alcohols into liqueurs like limoncello through the addition of sugar or simple syrup.
Most alcohol infusions will last indefinitely in a dark cabinet, though the flavors will fade over time. Some sweeter or lower-proof alcohol infusions will start to go bad more quickly though and should be refrigerated. In general, the infusion will last as long as the alcohol would by itself.
If you are trying to figure out what flavors work best in an infusion for a specific item, you can often turn to what flavors are in the classic cocktails for that spirit. It's an easy way to see what pairs and doesn't pair with a specific liquor.
Sous Vide Infused Vodka
Vodka is a great alcohol to infuse because it is so mild. It readily takes up the flavors of the flavoring agents, which makes it the most versatile infusing medium.
I almost always infuse vodka when I'm using milder flavoring agents, especially mint, basil and other herbs, lighter fruit or vegetables (like pear or apple slices), and citrus. You can take the flavors in many different directions and almost anything works great with it.
I will occasionally use stronger ingredients like chili peppers for a spicy bloody marys. Many home cooks and chefs also use vodka or everclear to make homemade vanilla extract.
There are two types of infused gin you can make with sous vide, flavored gin, or homemade gin.
Flavored Gin
Flavored gin is where you take gin and add different flavoring agents to it. You want to be sure to use flavors that will go well with the gin, especially grapefruit or citrus, sour apples or cucumber, pine or peach.
I usually infuse my gin with a whipping siphon, because heating it with sous vide can occasionally cause the oils from the juniper to separate out, but here is a sous vide infused gin recipe you can follow, as well as 2 whipping siphon ones you can also make with sous vide by following the directions in the first one.
The other type of gin you can infuse at home is using sous vide to make your own gin. This process involves taking vodka or another high-proof, neutral alcohol and infusing the standard gin flavoring agents into it.
Different gins have different flavor profiles, but in general you will want to infuse it with juniper berries, which is the main addition in all gins. You can also tweak the taste in various directions through the addition of other flavors, some of the more common ones are lemon, orange or grapefruit peel, anise, coriander, nutmeg, or cassia bark.
Sous Vide Infused Tequila
Tequila has a nice in-between flavor, not too mild and not too strong, so it can be used in many infusions. It is also often drunk straight, so the infusion will stand out more.
For sous vide infused tequila, I often stick to classic flavoring such a lime, chile pepper, pineapple, jalapeno...generally citrus, spice, or fruit. You can look at classic tequila cocktails for more inspiration.
Silver tequila is best for the more mild ingredients because it is so neutral. When using aged tequila or mescal you will want to ensure that the flavors will complement the stronger tequila flavor.
I don't have any sous vide infused tequila recipes on my site right now, but you can use the following recipes as an idea and convert them to sous vide very easily.
Whisky and bourbon has a much stronger flavor than the more mild spirits, which means you want to be careful when choosing the flavors to infuse. Sticking with the flavors commonly used in classic cocktails is a great start, but experimenting can be great fun!
You can also always use moonshine to pick up more nuanced flavors.
There's lots of great ways to flavor your infusion.
Fresh fruits are amazing, as are fresh vegetables.
Many spices can be used, and a great way to approach it is to create mixed spices to pair with the flavor profile of various cocktails.
You can take the typical tonic water ingredients and make homemade tonic syrup as well. It's great in gin and tonics, which is my wife's favorite cocktail.
Citrus peel is a favorite of mine. Lemon peel, lime zest, and orange peel are classics, but I've even used blood oranges and grapefruit peels. They alll add amazing citrus flavor to the end result.
You can use many different flavoring agents in your sous vide infusions but here are a few of my favorite combinations.
I love orange peel and vanilla beans together. It's a great base for a "creamsicle" cocktail.
Black pepper infusions are also a crowd pleaser, especially when combined with some horseradish in a bloody mary.
The additon of wood chips can create barrel-aged cocktails, such as barrel aged old fashioneds or negronis.
A rich and spicy infusion can use star anise, cacao nibs, and cinamon. It can be great in hot butterred rums or other warm cocktails.
Using Infusions in Cocktails
There are many ways you can use infusions in sous vide cocktails. My favorite is to use it as a base component by replacing the base spirit in the cocktail shaker with an infused version of it. Just make sure the flavors complement the other flavors in the drink.
Finally, they are great in liqueurs. Just combine the spirit with equal parts simple syrup for a sweet sipping drink. You can alter the amount of sugar to meet your own preferences or add some lemon juice, lime juice, or other citrus juice.
No matter how you use them, infusions make wonderful cocktail ingredients.
Master Easy Sous Vide Infused Alcohol Recipe
This is an easy master sous vide infused alcohol recipe. I often use it for sous vide infused vodka, sous vide cocktails, and other flavorful drinks. You can change up the liquor you use, as well as the flavoring agents to create a huge variety of drinks.
Recipe Info
Published: 2021-11-05
Prep Time: 36 Minutes
Cooktime: 1 to 3 hours
Total Time: 1 to 3 hours
Serves: 4
Calories: 800 Calories
Tags: sous vide infused alcohols, sous vide infused alcohols, infused alcohols, infusions, sous vide vodka, sous vide cocktails
Ingredients Needed
For the Sous Vide Infused Alcohol
1.5 cups alcohol (vodka, everclear, light rum, and white tequila are the most versatile)
1/2 cup diced fruit
1 tablespoon spices
To Assemble
Sides (optional)
Sauces (optional)
Garnishes (optional)
Recipe Instructions
Preheat the Water Bath: Preheat a water bath to 150°F (62.0°C)."
Prepare Flavoring Agents: Cube and shop up any fruit or vegetables you are using.
Seal the Infusion: Place the alcohol, fruit, and spices in a quart mason jar and lightly seal until it is 'finger tight'.
Cook the Infusion: Cook the infusion for 1 to 3 hours, until the flavors have fully transferred to the alcohol.
Remove From Jar: Take the mason jar out of the sous vide water bath. Let it cool on the counter, then place into cold water to fully cool.
Strain the Infusion: If desired, pour the infusion through a strainer to remove all of the flavoring agents. This will help clarify the infusion and extend its shelf life.
Serve: Use the infusion as you would any alcohol, in sous vide cocktails, over ice, or with some club soda for a spritz.
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What is the Best Sous Vide Infused Alcohols Temperatures and Times?
Most alcohols are infused at 130°F to 160°F (55°C to 71°C) for 1 to 3 hours. The time and temperature used depends on the flavoring agents you are using. Lower temps equals more delicate flavors.
Mild, Uncooked Flavors:
130°F for 1 to 3 hours (54.4ºC)
Medium, Stronger Flavors:
145°F for 1 to 3 hours (62.8ºC)
Cooked, Strong Flavors:
160°F for 1 to 3 hours (71.1ºC)
Do you have experience cooking infused alcohols? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
How do you make the most delicious homemade Creme de Cacao better? Add some smoked cream to make it a Smoked Whiskey Cream! This recipe was demonstrated live during our 2022 Sous Vide Summit. It's super simple and will keep your family and friends warm all winter long. These are both great served simply over ice after dinner or mixed into a cocktail.
These sous vide Moscow Mules use jalapeno, ginger, and orange to infuse the vodka and transform the classic cocktail into something unique and original!
What better holiday gift than discovering how to make infusions to give as gifts! Here's a step by step look at creating infusions for oil, alcohol, vinegar, and bitters!
Infused raisins are easy to make and take on a great flavor from the spiced rum. Both the raisins and the resulting rum infusion taste great and can be used together or separately.
There are many ways you can use infused alcohols in cocktails. I highlight my favorite drinks drinks including tasting flights, classic cocktails, composed drinks and more!
Mulled wine is a traditional spiced wine, usually flavored with cinnamon, raisins, orange, and star anise. Using the sous vide infusion process results in a more flavorful, nuanced mulled wine by preventing flavor loss that normally occurs when wine is boiled.
Rum punch is a strong, fruity drink that is best sipped on the beach! This infusion takes many of the common rum punch flavors and infuses them directly in the rum. I like to
serve the resulting infusion with a splash of orange juice and pineapple juice.
This infusion always reminds me of eating ripe strawberries and relaxing on the deck. With the basil adding a nice hint of spice to the rum infusion, it goes great in a mojito, rum punch and a fizz.
Making your own infusion allows you to produce the exact flavors you are looking for. This peach brandy recipe infuses the sweetness and fruity flavors from ripe peaches into brandy. It also works well with other fruits or berries.
You can make nice versions of aged cocktails in a few hours with a Mason jar by taking advantage of the quick and easy sous vide process. It does not give the cocktail as much body as aging it for 6 weeks in a barrel, but it still is a satisfying drink.
The light, fruity flavors of apples and pears complement the herbal notes from the gin, resulting in a rounded infusion full of flavors. The infused gin is great in martinis and holds up well to other complex cocktails.
This bourbon is flavored with fresh apples and classic apple pie spices like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. It's a perfect bourbon infusion to sip with dessert or make into a liqueur.
Bourbon holds up wonderfully to the strong flavor of espresso and this infusion results in a rich, bold bourbon that can be used in many different cocktails. For a fun variation you can also add a vanilla bean or cinnamon stick to the infusion.
The fruity cherry notes in this infusion complement the spicy rye and tone down its bite. The cinnamon and clove also contribute background flavors to round out the infusion. The resulting infusion can be enjoyed over ice or mixed into cocktails.
I like to mimic an Arnold Palmer by infusing vodka with the lemon and tea flavors, resulting in a flavorful addition to drinks on a hot day. I infuse the lemons first to fully extract their flavors, then add the tea near the end to minimize the bitterness that can be released.
Ground cherries, or golden berries, have a sweet and tart flavor, that makes a flavorful sous vide vodka infusion. I add some nutmeg and ginger to round out the flavors and contribute some spiciness.
This recipe uses guajillo and chipotle chiles to infuse the vodka with smokey and spicy flavors that complement most Bloody Mary mixes. This vodka is very spicy and made to
be mixed but it can be tweaked for a mellow, sipping style infusion.
The resulting vodka from this orange and vanilla sous vide infusion is citrusy with a deep vanilla backbone. It is awesome in a martini but my favorite is in a Creamsicle, a rich and creamy dessert cocktail.
White sangria infused wine is a popular fruity, sweet refreshment. Using the whipping siphon infusion process makes the wine more robust because all the flavor from the fruits is extracted.
I use a whipping siphon process to quickly infuse gin with tonic flavors, resulting in a tart alcohol that isn't watered down. Infusing grapefruit adds acidity and citrus notes while cinchona bark adds the quinine tonic flavor.
This infusion adds the sweet and tart subtle flavors of cucumber and sour apples to the natural gin taste of juniper and herbs. Enjoy this infused gin over ice with club soda or just a splash of tonic water!
This tropical tasting tequila infusion is fruity and flavorful. The pineapple and kiwi add sweetness with a touch of sour, making the infusion a great liquor to use in sours or margaritas.
Mojitos are a combination of tart lime and fresh mint combined with simple syrup and sparkling water over ice. By using a mojito-infused rum you can quickly serve up this refreshing cocktail any time!
I used the whipping siphon to quickly infuse fresh mint and rich cocoa nibs into vodka for a delightful drink. It is great in a martini and adds a lot of nuance to a White Russian.
Lemon infused vodka is a citrusy, flavorful drink and the base for limoncello. By using the whipping siphon to quickly extract the flavors from the lemon peels, the final product is a little less rounded but still so refreshing.
Nitrous oaking is a take on the barrel aging prepared cocktails process by utilizing the whipping siphon. The high pressures draw out the caramel flavors from the toasted oak chips and infuse them into the liquid.
This infusion pairs rich chocolate and nutty pecans in a bourbon that is robust and full of flavor. It's great served on the rocks but it also makes a mean Manhattan!
Grapefruit bitters are a versatile infusion that adds citrus notes as well as the classic aromatics. It provides a bright spark in martinis, mojitos and other drinks made of light spirits.
Barrel aging is the process that gives whiskey, dark rum, aged tequila and many types of wine their flavor. This barrel aged infusion recipe is for the Alaska Cocktail.
A hot toddy is a classic cold- and flu-killing drink consisting of hot water and whiskey flavored with lemon and cloves. This hot toddy infusion might not cure you of your sickness but it sure tastes great!
I like to take the ginger and lime flavors of the Moscow Mule and infuse them directly into the vodka for a spicy, citrusy infusion that can be mixed into cocktails or sipped as a flavored martini.
This tequila infusion takes on a spicy, fruity, smokey flavor of dried chile peppers; it's a great way to add complexity to different cocktails. I really like it in a paloma or Bloody Mary drink!
In this infusion the sweet and tart flavor of blackberries pairs wonderfully with the slightly spicy and herbal basil. It is a fruity, flavorful addition to many cocktails and is especially tasty in rum punch or as a liqueur.
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