DIY infused whiskey bourbon: lemon ginger, vanilla chai, apple cinnamon and coffee make perfect homemade holiday gifts for friends/whiskey lovers.
I love DIY gifts…they save you a ton of money and I always love seeing people’s faces light up when I tell them, “I made that :)”. Plus, it’s a little bit more personal than just a gift card or generic store bought gift.
DIY infused whiskey bourbon is perfect for your whiskey loving friends, or if you’re like me, it’s a little treat-yo-self Christmas gift.
I like making between 4 and 5 different flavors of infused whiskey because it makes a really cute gift set of assorted flavors and you can put them in mini mason jars.
Just like my lemon lavender infused vodkda, infused whiskey is easy to make and makes a delicous homemade cocktail.
Of course, these don’t necessarily have to be for presents, you can make them to keep at home at your own bar as well!
You can use the whiskey in a drink recipe or it’s perfectly delicious by itself on the rocks.
Each flavored whiskey makes about 1.5 cups. If you plan on making all 5 flavors, that will equal out to 1 handle (1.75 L) of whiskey.
I like to make my infusions in a larger mason jar, then transfer them to the mini, 6 oz. mason jars (if I decide to share and give them as gifts).
You can find the small mason jars on amazon (affilate link), they come with lids and chalkboard labels!
DIY Infused Whiskey Flavors:
- Apple Cinnamon Whiskey
- Lemon Ginger Whiskey
- Coffee Whiskey
- Vanilla Chai Spice Whiskey
- Orange Pecan Whiskey
How long does it take to infuse whiskey?
It ranges depending on the ingredients. Most of these take about 1 week. The coffee bean is strong, so I only like to infuse that for 1 day or 2.
After infusing, you’ll want to taste test the whiskey every couple of days to see if it’s at your desired flavor.
What type of whiskey should I use?
I suggest using bourbon. I like using a mid-level brand such as Jim Beam but you can use whichever type of bourbon you prefer.
For the chai spice whiskey, I use a whole chai spice blend which you can buy on amazon (affiliate link).
It’s made with cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, clove and black pepper.
DIY Infused Whiskey Bourbon
DIY infused whiskey bourbon: lemon ginger, vanilla, apple cinnamon and coffee make perfect homemade holiday gifts for friends/whiskey lovers.
Ingredients
Vanilla Chai Spice Whiskey:
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, or 1 vanilla bean, cut down the middle
- 1 tbsp chai spice
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1.5 cups whiskey bourbon
Apple Cinnamon Whiskey
- 1 apple, sliced
- 1 cinnamon stick, whole
- 1.5 cups whiskey bourbon
Lemon Ginger Whiskey
- 1 tbsp lemon peel, cut into 1/4" thick strips, about 1/2 lemon
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, cut into 1/2" chunks
- 1.5 cups whiskey bourbon
Orange Pecan Whiskey
- 1 tbsp orange peel, cut into 1/4" thick strips, about 1/3 orange
- 1/2 cup toasted pecans
- 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1.5 cups whiskey bourbon
Coffee Infused Whiskey
- 1/4 cup whole coffee beans
- 1.5 cups whiskey bourbon, for garnish
Instructions
- Place ingredients for each whiskey flavor in a large mason jar. You should have a total of 5 jars.
- Evenly pour about 1.5 cups of whiskey over ingredients in each mason jar. Give each jar a good shake. Store in a cool, dark place for 2-7 days.
- Taste test the whiskey every couple of days.
- The coffee and chai spice whiskeys only take about 1 day or so to infuse.
- The other flavors should take about 5-7 days.
- Once the whiskey is at the desired flavor, strain out the ingredients and pour into smaller mason jars if giving as gifts.
Notes
- The coffee bean and chai spice whiskeys should only infuse for 1-2 days max. Make sure to test after the first day so it doesn't become too strong or bitter! The other flavors will take about 1 week, but make sure to taste test those as well.
- If you aren't making these for gifts, just keep them in the larger jars or other airtight container.
- Be sure to strain out the whole ingredients after the whiskey is infused for longer shelf life.
Drink Recipes to Use with your Infused Whiskey:
Vanilla Chai Hot Chocolate:
- 1.5 oz Vanilla Chai infused whiskey
- 1 Packet of Hot Chocolate (white, dark or regular)
- 4 oz Milk
- 2 oz Irish Cream (such as Bailey’s)
- Mini Marshmallows, for garnish (optional)
- Prepare hot chocolate as directed; add in whiskey and serve hot with mini marshmallows.
Whiskey Lemonade (makes 1 cocktail drink)
- 1.5 oz Lemon Ginger infused Whiskey
- ¼ cup Fresh Blackberries
- 2.5 oz Lemonade
- 2 oz Ginger Ale
- Lemon Peel and Blackberries, for garnish (optional)
- Muddle whiskey and blackberries until juices release. Add in lemonade and top with ginger ale.
- Garnish with lemon peel and fresh blackberries if desired.
Apple Pie Spritzer (makes 1 cocktail drink)
- 1.5 oz Apple Cinnamon Whiskey
- 4 oz Cream Soda
- Cinnamon, for garnish (optional)
- Place whiskey in glass over ice. Top with cream soda.
- Garnish with cinnamon if desired.
Bourbon Coffee Martini (makes 1 martini cocktail)
- 1.5 oz Coffee Infused Whiskey
- 2 oz Coffee Liquor (such as Tia Maria or Kahlua)
- 1 oz Irish Cream Liquor (such as Bailey’s)
- Bourbon soaked coffee beans, for garnish (optional)
- Shake all ingredients in shaker with ice. Pour into martini glass.
- Garnish with bourbon soaked coffee beans if desired.
How do I seal the mason jars without boiling them and the lids? Arent they sealed when the lids are compressed?
Hi! Since the mason jars are used for the alcohol and not for a preserve or jam, you don’t have to boil them.
What is the shelf life of these? Once made I plan to keep in Mason jar or a decanter.
Hi! If sealed in a mason jar they should las a while, up to a year. The whiskey has a high enough alcohol content to prevent mold or bacteria from forming 🙂
These look amazing. I’m experimenting today, using the sous vide preparation for the Orange Pecan. Do you have a recommended cocktail using the Orange Pecan infused whiskey/bourbon? Thank you!
Hi Amy, I personally like the orange pecan bourbon just on the rocks but you could add a splash of ginger ale, or even cream soda would be delicious 🙂
Where’s the recipe for the orange pecan whiskey?
Hi there! It’s in the recipe card along with the other flavors 🙂
Love these infusion ideas but I swear there were drunk recipes on here for each infusion, do you still have those per chance? Thanks!
Hi Tiffany! I’m glad you like the infusion ideas :). I just updated the recipe notes with the drink recipes. Hope you like them!
Love this, doing it! Coffee booze here I come!!
Not gonna lie I put some in my coffee this weekend ;). So good!