How to Infuse Your Own Whiskey at Home

If you’re a fan of flavored whiskey, there’s a lot to choose from. Take a stroll down the aisles at your local liquor store or peruse an online alcohol retailer, and you’ll be met with myriad flavors like cinnamon, vanilla, blackberry, and even peanut butter. But not all flavored whiskeys are worth buying. While there are many hidden gems, some are over-the-top, cloyingly sweet, and made with generic-tasting flavors that seem like they should be flavoring a sucker as opposed to a whiskey.

A better option is to make your own flavored whiskey at home. If you think the idea sounds too complicated for you, you’ll be surprised to learn that it’s much simpler than you think.

In the simplest terms, all you need to make your own infused whiskey at home is a reasonably priced whiskey (don’t go too high-end or too low-end), mason jars, tight-fitting lids, a strainer, a funnel, a few clean bottles with lids, and the ingredients you want to flavor it with. That’s it.

You also need the patience to wait a few days to sample it. By far the hardest thing to bring to the table, I know.

First and foremost, you’ll need a bottle of whiskey. The style is up to you. Purchase bourbon, rye, even single malt Scotch whiskey. The base is up to you. Just don’t spend too much on this bottle, since you’ll be infusing it with other flavors. Also, don’t look at the bottom shelf for this expression, either. No amount of spices or fruit will help the harsh, burning mouthfeel of an overly cheap whiskey. Your best bet is to go right in the middle with a well-made, flavorful, aromatic value bottle in the $25-35 range.

Now, you’re going to need the right container for your infusion and storage. Plenty of options, but you can’t go wrong with a classic mason jar. Make sure that after you add your whiskey and ingredients, there’s an airtight seal. You don’t want any funky, unpalatable flavors invading your curated flavor profile.

These aren’t the only tools you’ll need to infuse your whiskey. You’ll also need a strainer (or, in a pinch, a coffee filter), a funnel, and a clean bottle or another mason jar.

The actual ingredients you use to infuse your whiskey are completely up to you. Are you a fan of cinnamon whiskeys? Is fruit more your thing? There are many choices when it comes to the ingredients you use to infuse. If you want to make a fruit-infused whiskey, you can use ripe cherries, peach slices, apricots, or citrus peels. If you want a spiced whiskey, you can add cinnamon and other spices. A chocolate whiskey calls for cacao nibs. If a classic apple pie whiskey is your jam, you’ll want to use apples and cinnamon sticks. Other possible ingredients include blueberries, blackberries, dried fruits, and vanilla beans. It’s up to you what flavor you want your infused whiskey to be.

Now it’s time to get into the real reason why you’re reading this article. It’s time for the step-by-step instructions on how to infuse your whiskey.

First, prepare all of your ingredients. Wash and dry your fruit (if you’re using it) and cut it into pieces that will easily fit into the mason jar. Set aside herbs or spices you’ll be using.

Next, add all the ingredients you plan to use for infusion to the clean, glass mason jar. Pour your whiskey into the jar until the ingredients are submerged, and the spirit is near or at the top of the jar. Securely seal the jar and place it in a cool, dark place for 2-3 days. Longer for fruitier infused whiskeys and shorter for spiced whiskeys.

Now, it’s time to taste the infused whiskey. If it fits your preferences, it’s all good. Otherwise, add more ingredients and possibly simple syrup or maple syrup if it needs to be sweetened.

Once you’ve decided it’s the desired flavor profile, strain it into a funnel into a clean bottle or another mason jar. Seal it until you’re ready to drink it. Set the fruit aside if you plan to enjoy the boozy cherries, berries, peaches, or apples.

Label the whiskey with the infused flavor and the date you made it. Depending on the ingredients, your infused whiskey can last between four months and a year. Although, if it’s as flavorful as you hope, it won’t last nearly that long. 

Sip it neat, on the rocks, or mixed into a classic whiskey-based cocktail for an elevated drink experience. Once you infuse your first whiskey, you’ll never go back to store-bought, overly sweet flavored whiskey again.