Whiskey steeped with a complementary flavor is called an infusion. Just combine fresh ginger, orange peel, or spices with a bottle of Jack Daniel’s in a big jar and leave it be for about a week or two. You won’t believe the delicious complexity that develops. We also add a little sugar water at the end to sweeten the mix. I’ve served these infusions as is over ice, in juleps, and blended with club soda, tonic, lemonade, ginger ale, and lemon-lime soda. Garnish the cocktails with orange slices, mint sprigs, or lime wedges. If you keep the infusions in the Jack Daniel’s square bottle, be sure to label it accordingly.
1 cup peeled and coarsely chopped fresh ginger
1 bottle (750ml) Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey
1 cup sugar
½ cup water
Combine the ginger and Jack Daniel’s in a large jar. Store in a cool dark place for 1 to 2 weeks. Bring the sugar and water to a boil in a small saucepan over high heat and cook just until the sugar has dissolved. Cool. Strain the whiskey and discard the ginger. Stir the syrup into the flavored whiskey. Store in a container with a tight fitting lid or in a labeled Jack Daniel’s bottle.
4 or 5 large oranges
1 bottle (750ml) Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey
1 cup sugar
½ cup water
With a sharp knife cut the zest, without any of the underlying white pith, off the oranges in wide strips. Combine the zest and Jack Daniel’s in a large jar. Store in a cool dark place for 1 to 2 weeks. Bring the sugar and water to a boil in a small saucepan over high heat and cook just until the sugar has dissolved. Cool. Strain the whiskey and discard the orange peel. Stir the syrup into the flavored whiskey. Store in a container with a tight fitting lid or in a labeled Jack Daniel’s bottle.
Heard around the TABLE
I tell folks that oftentimes we substitute Jack Daniel’s for vanilla in our cooking, so I encourage them to do the same when that pantry staple runs out.
One gentleman looked up from his dinner and said, “Honey, I’m gonna run out of Jack Daniel’s long before I run out of vanilla!”
1 orange
1 cinnamon stick
1 vanilla bean, split
5 whole cloves
5 whole allspice berries
1 bottle (750ml) Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey
1 cup sugar
½ cup water
With a sharp knife remove the zest, without any of the underlying white pith, from the orange in wide strips Combine the zest, cinnamon stick, vanilla bean, cloves, allspice, and Jack Daniel’s in a large jar. Store in a cool dark place for 1 to 2 weeks. Bring the sugar and water to a boil in a small saucepan over high heat and cook just until the sugar has dissolved. Cool. Strain the whiskey and discard the seasonings. Stir the sugar syrup into the flavored whiskey. Store in a container with a tight fitting lid or in a labeled Jack Daniel’s bottle.