Go to the Recipe: ChefSteps Bitters #013
How long will this store OK for without losing it's zing? Does it need to be refrigerated? Or would that help? 500ml is a LOT of bitters...!
I doubt you need to refrigerate this because after straining the contents are still mostly vodka.
What size whipping siphon can this recipe fit in ? the pint or the quart size ? they just vary in price so wildly. Also in the pint size siphon and the quart size both need two charges ? Thanks !!
would other alcohols make a difference? and does the quality of the alcohol matter in the finished product?
Since its a alcohol infused solution, I dont think it will perish under room temp for a long long time, but I would not risk fastening any possible oxidation or volatilization process of the flavoring agents, so refrigerating is the most secure method to guarantee that your bitter would stay at the top of its flavors for more time.
Brad you can add any booze you like. The quality and the character of the alcohol will definetely matter. But this is a nice challenge for you.
I think you can use a quart siphon if you cut the recipe down. I would still use two chargers in that case, one won't get the pressure you need for a good infusion
Is the "Birch bark" just splinters of Birch wood?? it looks like wood rather then the white paper looking bark that I thought birch bark was. Does that even make sense what I'm asking?
Why are you and other marinating techn. using Muscovado sugar ? what are the benefits ?
Could I make a quality vanilla extract quickly using this method...or maybe "age" some whiskey with oak?
On the same point, if there is less air space in the syphon, is that better, worse or no difference? Also should i use 3 gas cartridges? The reason i ask, is that i have both sizes of ISI, and I like infusing booze with smoke. The problem is that unless you leave a fair bit of space in the flask with the liquid, you cannot get much smoke in. In fact a lot of the smoke escapes just getting the lid on.
Yes. I use this method for oaking my Mead, it makes a concentrate that I add back to the batch slowly.
How essential is the birch bark? Is there an effective substitute? The smallest amount of birch bark I can find to buy would make 33+ litres of bitters, which seems a little extravagant, not to mention wasteful :-)
Hi Elyss, you could certainly try eliminating it. It shouldn't ruin the recipe by any means.
What purpose does putting it in the gas canister serve?
What is the purpose of the whipping siphon? How does that effect the ingredients? I am wondering if the whipping siphon necessary? or is just a time saver for the infusion time?
Short answer: time saved. It infuses a lot faster if you use the whipping siphon then if you don't. You could get around using the whipping siphon by letting everything sit in the vodka undisturbed and in the dark (swirling maybe once a day).
So you don't have to wait so long for the ingredients to infuse into the vodka
Definitely. I play around with different wood chips to see how it affects whiskey. Bullet is a good start, then pick up varieties of wood chips.
Usually you'd want to use a vodka since it has a neutral flavor. Quality of the alcohol definitely matters in the end product.
is there a way to do this with a sous vide setup for those of us with only a partially modernist kitchen?
While you probably could, you will get a different product. Even though it would be sealed, you will lose some of the flavor volatiles when heating it. You can pick up a fairly inexpensive whipping siphon on amazon. If you don't have a whipping siphon, or don't want to buy one, just seal it in a bag and let it extract for a day. That way, you're not losing any flavor components. The whipping siphon is just going to accelerate the extraction.
Can you recommend a substitute for the Tasmanian peppercorns? I am having trouble finding a source in Canada.
look for more specifically Tasmanian Pepper Berry instead of peppercorn,
anyways here is a link for purchasing them, hope it helps
https://snukfoods.com/products/tasmanian-mountain-pepper-berry?variant=14691809099888¤cy=USD
they are expensive though around 10-12$ per ounce
