Recently I've gotten interested infused vodkas. I was doing some research and I found a way to put the greatness that is bacon into a liquid form. This was how I did it:The Prep
You will need some bacon (I went with the delectable Hormel Black Label) and some vodka. I prefer Gordon's because it is extremely cheap and doesn't taste half bad. It is the world's smoothest mixing vodka after all... You'll also need access to a stove and pan or a microwave.
The Process
Fry up three or four strips of bacon. While that's sizzling away fill a jar medium sized jar with abour 4 cups of vodka. I used an empty pickle bottle. After the bacon is cooked pat it down with a paper towel to remove some of the excess grease and then toss the strips into your jar. Cover the with a lid and stash it somewhere for around three weeks.
(Note: At this point your concoction will look like it belongs in a biology class, but have courage friend, stay the course!)
After your three weeks are up grab your jar and chill it by tossing it in the fridge or freezer. This will solidify all the fattiness floating around in the jar. The jar won't explode in the freezer because booze doesn't freeze at those temperatures. Once the fat is good and cold pull the jar out and strain the contents through a coffee filter or something similar to remove all the particulates (repeat until you're satisfied) and you're done.
The Review
This stuff is not to be consumed on its own. The stuff, by itself, has a very smoky, slightly salty taste that to me, wasn't all that great. There was also a taste of dill pickles, but I think that may be my fault. I made the vodka in an old pickle jar which may or may not have been thoroughly washed.
The bacon vodka really shines through when mixed. As an ingredient in a bloody mary it really brings something extra savory to the drink. I also made a bacontini and while it wasn't great to me, I could see other people enjoying it.
Overall, bacon vodka was a fun experiment, but it was just that, an experiment. I don't see myself repeating this study in the near future, but I would love to hear what you have to say about it.
