How to Make Barrel-Aged Cocktails in a Mason Jar

Have you ever tasted barrel-aged cocktails? I had my first craft cocktail a few years ago and it blew me away. So smooth and complex… more like fine wine than distilled liquor.

Of course, I paid the price… one cocktail cost $20.

In this post, I explain how you can make barrel-aged craft cocktails in a mason jar – in a fraction of the time.

Whether you prefer a Manhattan, Martinis or an Old Fashioned, craft cocktails will vastly improve the taste of your favorite cocktail. Making barrel-aged cocktails (also known as craft cocktails) is easy to do at home… and you don’t need a whisky barrel.

With this mason jar method, you can make barrel aged cocktails in a mason jar in a fraction of the time it takes with a barrel — you’ll have delicious craft cocktails ready in just 2 weeks instead of 6.

Oh, and these would make fabulous Christmas gifts!

Why Barrel-Aged Cocktails Taste So Delicious

Before I explain the method, let me tell you why this works. Humans have been aging wine in oak barrels since Roman times. Storing oak barrels began as a method for transporting wine throughout the expansive Roman empire, but people soon noticed that it made the wine taste better.

“The contact with the wood made the wine softer and smoother, and with some wines, it also made it better tasting. Due to the minimal toasting of the wood, wines developed additional scents such as cloves, cinnamon, allspice or vanilla, and when drunk they had additional flavors present, such as caramel, vanilla or even butter. As the practice of using oak barrels for transport continued, merchants, wine producers, and armies alike, found that the longer the wine remained inside the barrels, the more qualities from the oak would be imparted into the wine, and thus began the practice of aging wine in oak.” (Source)

Just as aging wine in oak barrels helps to make it taste better, it also works with other types of alcohol. If you’ve ever tasted aged Scotch whisky, you know what I’m talking about. This is why you see 30-year-old bottles of single malt Scotch selling for hundreds of dollars.

How to Make Barrel-Aged Cocktails in a Fraction of the Time

This is the easiest thing in the world. You just need is a few things… You don’t need to buy a big expensive whisky barrel.

All you need is a mason jar and this nifty little oak infusion spirals.

They sell them for $5 on Amazon. I buy them by the 4-pack.

This amazing little gadget allows you to make a barrel-aged cocktail in just 2 weeks, or a fortnight, as they say across the pond.

A fraction of the time it normally takes. With a 2-liter whiskey barrel, you’d have to wait a full 6 weeks to sample your concoction.

Oh the agony!

My Experience Making Barrel-aged Cocktails with the Infusion Spiral

The first time I made craft cocktails, I made one batch of Manhattans and one batch of Negronis.

They were gone almost immediately.

You should go ahead and get the 4-pack of infusion spirals because you’re gonna want to make a few batches.

They say you are not supposed to re-use the infusion spirals — they say all the oak flavor is extracted after the first use.

What You Need to Make Craft Cocktails with the Infusion Spiral

All you need is the infusion spiral. You will also need a lid for your mason jar (I like these plastic ones) and a permanent marker to write on the lid.

Oh, yeah, and you need some booze.

I am trying out a couple different versions of the Negroni recipe.  

What Kinds of Barrel-aged Cocktails Can You Make?

When making barrel-aged cocktails, you should only use liquors (for example, whiskey, Bourbon, vodka, tequila, and so forth), liqueurs (such as Campari, Amaretto, vermouth) and bitters. You should not add juices, other beverages, or sweeteners.

Some of the best recipes for barrel-aged cocktails are: Manhattan, Martini, Sazerac, Negroni, Old Fashioned.

You can also barrel-age a single type of alcohol for later use in various cocktails.

Barrel-aged Cocktail in a Mason Jar Recipes

Here are a couple of recipes I have tried... they came out great!

Barrel-aged Negroni Recipe

Ingredients
Gin (2 cups)
Campari (1 cup)
Vermouth (1 cup)

Equipment
Infusion spiral (1)
Quart mason jar (1)
Plastic lid (optional)
Permanent marker

Instructions
1. Add the ingredients to the mason jar.
2. Add the infusion spiral.
3. Cover with lid. Write the name of your cocktail on the lid, along with the date.
4. Let sit on the counter or in a cupboard for 2 weeks.
5. Taste and drink when you like the flavor. Serve over ice. You can also add  a wedge or twist of an orange.

Barrel-aged Manhattan Recipe

Ingredients
Bourbon (3 cups)
Sweet vermouth (1 cup)
Angostura bitters (5-10 dashes)
Bourbon-soaked cherries (for serving)

Equipment
Infusion spiral (1)
Quart mason jar (1)
Plastic lid (optional)

Instructions
1. Add the ingredients to the mason jar.
2. Add the infusion spiral.
3. Cover with lid. Write the name of your cocktail on the lid, along with the date.
4. Let sit on the counter or in a cupboard for 2 weeks.
5. Taste and drink when you like the flavor. To serve, shake in a martini shaker with ice. Serve with Bourbon-soaked cherries.

Leave Me a Comment Below

Let me know in the comments if you decide to try them.

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