Fat Washing Spirits is something that has really become popular over the last few years, Don Lee created this recipe after learning the technique from Barman Eben Freeman. Although PDT proprietor Jim Meehan had his doubts, the drink became the best selling drink at PDT for many years and popularized Fat Washing in the larger cocktail culture.
Fat washing is the simple technique of infusing anything with high fat content into spirits, letting it sit to room temp, then freezing to solidify the fat. Once the fat is removed the resulting liquid has taken on the flavor of said fat.
You can do this with anything from Peanut Butter to Olive Oil and Animal Fats. If you are using animal fats please practice safe food handling techniques to keep everyone healthy. Camper English made this website about cocktail safety and you all should check it out here: https://www.cocktailsafe.org/about-cocktailsafe.html
Ingredients
- 12oz (350ml) Bourbon (in this example)
- .75oz (22.5ml) Bacon Fat (in this example, and we used Benton's)
Instructions
- Heat Bacon on low until FULLY COOKED and the bacon fat has melted off (approx 5 minutes)
- Be careful not to burn the bacon
- Combine melted bacon fat and Bourbon in a freezer safe, non-reactive container and let sit in room temperature for 4 hours.
- Then place in freezer for 2 hours
- Remove the container and remove the solid fat from the surface of the bourbon and discard
- Strain the mixture through cheese cloth or fine strainer to remove any solid bacon or fat remains
- Bottle and store in fridge. Will last about 2 months