Barrel aging can be a fun way to really elevate your cocktail creation. And as it turns out, it is not that hard and takes some serious patients. Barrel aging gives your cocktails a mellow flavor such as wood, often vanilla and the slight oxidation creates a subtle nuttiness. Check out some tips on barrel aging and avoid some of the common mistakes. Once you are ready, we’ve provided you with 3 recipes. Enjoy.
How to barrel age-
- Purchase a barrel. Grab a sinature Breckenridge Mini Barrel, 2-liters in size with a stand and our logo.
- Rinse out the barrel with water and then refill it with water, soaking it long enough that the wood swells (approx. 24-48 hrs). Be sure to check for leaks. Pour the water out and allow it to dry.
- Funnel the ingredients into the barrel for aging. Check out our favorite recipes below using Breckenridge Bourbon, Gin and Bitters.
- Once a day, roll the barrel to mix the ingredients.
- For a 1-liter barrel (note the recipes below are for a 5-liter barrel), the average aging time is about 6-weeks. During the aging process, taste-test the contents monthly to determine when to empty your barrel.
- When you find that the contents has reached its peak flavor, funnel the cocktails into a bottle and quark it tightly.
Common mistakes-
- Reusing a barrel over and over again. By reusing, you are not barrel-aging anymore.
- Avoid adding bitters, such as Angostura Bitters. This may throw off the balance of the cocktail. Rather, add the bitters when serving the cocktail. Note, Breckenridge Bitters can be an exception because it is a sipping liqueur.
- Avoid using citrus juices. These ingredients tend to separate and ruin the cocktail after sitting unrefrigerated in a barrel for weeks.
- Forgetting to add the high proof spirit.
3 Recipes-
Barrel-Aged Manhattan
3 Bottles Breckenridge Bourbon
14oz Breckenridge Bitter
6oz Antica Carpano
In a mixing glass, add 2-1/2oz of barrel-aged concoction, 2 dashes of bitters. Choose your own bitters to try a new twist. (Orange, smoked orange, walnut, barrel-aged whiskey bitters,peach, etc)
Add ice and stir. Strain up or on the rocks.
Garnish with Luxardo cherry.
Barrel-Aged Sazerac
3 Bottles Breckenridge Bourbon
1 Bottle Breckenridge Bitter
2oz Absinthe
In a mixing glass, add one sugar cube, two dashes of Peychauds, and three ounces of the barrel-aged concoction. Add ice, stir, and strain into a chilled coupe glass.
Barrel-Aged Negroni
1.5 Bottles Breckenridge Gin
1 Bottle Breckenridge Bitter
1 Bottle Antica Carpano
In a mixing glass, add 2-1/2oz of barrel-aged concoction. Add ice and stir. Strain over ice.
Garnish with an orange twist.
