Ingredients:
4 ounces bourbon whiskey
2 ounces Orange Olive Oil
2 ounces Bacon Olive Oil
1 ounce simple syrup
1 Tbsp. Cherry Balsamic
2 dashes bitters
ice cubes or chilled whiskey stones, if desired
orange slices and cherries for garnish
In a large mason jar, add bourbon and olive oils. Close lid tightly and shake vigorously. Freeze 6-8 hours.
Strain mason jar contains through fine mesh strainer into cocktail shaker. Discard hardened fats.
Add simple syrup, Cherry Balsamic and bitters. Stir or shake. Pour through shaker trainer into lowball glasses. Add ice or chilled whiskey stones if desired. Garnish with orange slices and cherries.
Makes 2 or 3 cocktails.
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Did You Know?
Historically used in making early perfumes, fat washing is used to enhance a spirit's mouthfeel and add a subtle depth of flavour. Many powerful aromatic compounds are fat-soluble, others are water-soluble. Alcohol helps bind either kind. And so alcohol becomes a vehicle for oils to bring their aromas and accompanying flavours to beverages where the goal is complexity, balance and an outstandingly memorable flavour experience.
You can use any fat that you can think of - bacon fat in bourbon is a particular favourite. But one of the absolute classics is to add EVOO in vodka or gin to add a hint of complexity to a classic martini. This is a fun technique that requires a little bit of prep - but that's sure to make you the star of the party when entertaining.
Fat washed Martini or Cocktail:
- Using a mason/ball jar that holds at least 8 ounces, add three tablespoons of Medium or Robust EVOO.
- Pour 6 ounces of your favourite vodka or gin. Pouring the spirit second will ensure more contact between the alcohol and the fat.
- Seal the mason jar and place in the freezer for 6 to 8 hours.
- When ready to consume, open the mason jar and pour the contents through a fine mesh strainer into your cocktail shaker. If you do not have a fine mesh strainer, you can use cheesecloth or a coffee filter.
- The remaining chunks are the hardened fats that are typically liquid at warmer temperatures. Discard those remnants.
- Add ice (and a dash of dry vermouth) to your shaker and stir (or shake if you prefer).
- Pour through the shaker strainer back over the fine mesh strainer into a martini glass.
- Garnish with a skewer of your favourite olives.
Cheers!
