Funny story – today’s recipe was originally supposed to be a Valentine’s Day post. A few days before V-Day, I read an article somewhere (probably Buzzfeed) that said something along the lines of “if you REALLY love someone, make them infused liquor.” It was a silly, fun puff piece but for some reason it really spoke to me.
Do you guys watch The Mindy Project (no, this is not the world’s strangest non sequitor…I have a point, I promise)? There’s an episode in one of the early seasons when Mindy’s trying to befriend the new doctor at her office, Peter, who seems to be completely resistant to her charms. When she finally asks Peter why he doesn’t like her despite all the nice things she was doing for him, he points out that she wasn’t really trying to get to know him. Instead of figuring out what he might like to do, she was just dragging him around town doing the things she liked. At the time, I think they were in some sort of princess/Hello Kitty-themed restaurant eating frosted pink cupcakes with sparklers.
Anyway. The infused booze article made me think of that Mindy Project episode, which then made me take a look back at all my Valentine’s Day posts. They were all pretty girly – lots of pink, lots of chocolate + cream + strawberries, lots of cutesy dishware/glassware…aka things that my Valentine (Dan) doesn’t really care too much about.
Things Dan does like (in no particular order):
- me (obviously)
- apple pie
- super long history podcasts
- the Patriots
- jalapeno-flavored kettle chips
- bourbon/whiskey
- hockey
- video games
- random obscure books about theoretical physics
- our cats
Basically, most of the things he likes are super boring and hard to romanticize. What kind of Valentine’s Day gift do you give a person who reads books about post-WWI Europe for fun?
After reading that infused liquor article, I opted to combine two of his “likes” (apple pie + bourbon/whiskey) into one delicious, drinkable gift – Apple Pie Infused Bourbon. I also made some Peach Infused Bourbon, ‘cuz why not? YOLO.
Out of all the things I’ve made in 5 years of blogging, I think this Apple Pie Infused Bourbon may be Dan’s favorite. As soon as I told him what I was doing with the pile of chopped apples/cinnamon sticks and the giant bottle of bourbon in the kitchen, he was like “WHAT?! YES. When will it be ready???” Followed by three days of “Can we taste it now???”
Sadly, the bourbon didn’t actually finish infusing in time for Valentine’s Day, but I don’t think Dan minded too much. When we finally opened the jar, it smelled so good. Exactly like apple pie, in fact, which was both awesome and weird. In terms of taste, to my uncultured taste buds it still just tasted like bourbon, which I don’t love. Maybe a little sweeter and definitely more spice-y, but on the whole I couldn’t get past the burning taste of strong alcohol. Same with the peach infused version. Dan, on the other hand, could actually taste the peaches and apples + lemons + cinnamon, and enjoyed them both immensely. He enjoyed them so much, in fact, that I’m thinking of starting another batch soon (we’re almost out!)…
So there ya’ go – if you like bourbon, you’ll appreciate these fruit-infused versions. If you’re like me and don’t really get the appeal of straight bourbon, keep your eyes peeled for my next post: Apple Pie Bourbon Cocktail (so. good.)!
Before you ask:
- Small Bottles – 8.5oz (250mL) Corked Boston Glass Bottles from Specialty Bottle
- Large Jars – Bormioli Rocco Fido Clear Jar, 33-3/4-Ounce
from Amazon (these come in large sizes too)
- Labels – Avery Removable Multi-Use Labels, Kraft Brown, 1.125 x 2.25 Inches, Pack of 24 (40151)
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- 4 gala apples, peeled/cored and chopped into medium chunks
- 8 cinnamon sticks
- Zest of 2 lemons (I used a zester to carefully peel my lemons in long strips - avoiding the bitter white pith)
- 750 mL bourbon (I used Bulleit)
- 4-5 peaches, peeled/cored and chopped into medium chunks
- 750 mL bourbon
- Place chopped apples, cinnamon sticks, and lemon peel inside a large glass jar.
- Pour bourbon inside jar.
- Seal jar and give it a good shake.
- Place jar inside your fridge and allow mixture to sit for 1-3 days, giving it a light shake once a day.
- When ready to drink, strain your whiskey. I put a piece of cheesecloth over a mesh strainer on top of a pot with pouring lips, and poured my bourbon into that pot through the cheesecloth/strainer. I then poured the strained bourbon from the pot into my smaller corked bottles.
- Enjoy in an old-fashioned glass over ice, or in a cocktail (recipe coming soon!)
- Place chopped peaches inside a large glass jar.
- Pour bourbon inside jar.
- Seal jar and give it a good shake.
- Place jar inside your fridge and allow mixture to sit for 5-7 days, giving it a light shake once a day.
- When ready to drink, strain your whiskey. (See above)
- Enjoy in an old-fashioned glass over ice.
I LOVE THE MINDY PROJECT and I remember that episode very well. Both those infused bourbons have my name all over them. Such a great and delicious idea! Just like Dan, I’d probably be asking you every couple of hours whether it was time to sample 🙂
The Mindy Project is SO GOOD, right???? And I hope you do make these infused bourbons, ‘cuz I can’t wait to see what delicious cocktails you come up with 😀
Ha! I don’t watch the Mindy Project anymore, but I USED to and I definitely remember that episode. I bet Dan was in heaven with his gift this year!
He was! Best gift I’ve ever given him 😉
This is amazing!!! What an epic gift idea Tina! You totally knocked this one out of the park. I have a bourbon loving friend that I need to show this to!
Hope your friend likes it!!!
I think I’m going to have to get crafty this week and infuse some bourbon. Love the sound of the peach bourbon!
Hope you like it!
Well “It’s better late than never”. And I am sure it is really worth the wait. I love bourbon apple and anything with apples like (stockton.com.hk) stockton bar central’s ribston apple. And this one looks so enticing to me, I bet my husband will love it too, I just hope I can make the perfect taste.
I hope your husband likes it!
OMG. I have so many things to say.
1. Dan love the Patriots! NOOOO. (Raider fan. Can’t we all just get along? No.)
2. APPLIE PIE BOURBON. SO MANY GOOD THINGS ALL IN ONE.
3. The Mindy Project! YES! I totally remember this exact episode and I remember thinking “oh, that makes sense, WHY DON’T I TRY THAT?”
4. YUM. Did I say that yet? I had a friend in grad school who used to make krupnik every year for Christmas. NEW TRADITION: Valentine’s Day Apple Pie Bourbon.
Haha it’s ok, WE can still get along! (Though I do love Gronk…)
Ok. You’re right. Always a Gronk fan. 🙂
This was awesome – I used super cheap bourbon (Old Crow) for the initial experiment but it turned out so well that when I had friends over to dinner the other night I offered them some (both on the rocks and in your Apple Pie Bourbon Cocktails), and now they won’t stop raving about it. I’m on strict orders to bring a bunch to the next get together
Yeeeeesssss, love it! So happy this turned out well for you! I just made another batch for us (with more apples, to make it sweeter), and it was gone in like 3 days…
Hey I love the post and the peach bourbon! I’m using southern comfort bourbon, which is 70 proof. Would this be shelf stable or is it absolutely necessary to refrigerate? Thanks!!
When you’re infusing the bourbons and the fruits are soaking, you should probably refrigerate but I think storing the jars in a cool/dark place would be OK too. Once you take the fruit out and strain the mixture, it should be OK on the shelf (though we like to keep ours in the fridge anyway for cold cocktails – prob not necessary). Hope that helps!
Should the fruit be firm or soft mushy to get best flavor
I recommend that you use crisp, fresh apples.