5 Foods You Should Be Infusing Into Your Whiskey

Whiskey is one of those spirits that you don't want to mess around with too much, especially the good stuff. Neat or on the rocks, let the booze speak for itself. But that doesn't mean you should never infuse your whiskey! There are plenty of great whiskeys on the market that are quite inexpensive, and as a consumer, it's your right to do with them as you please. 

Chocolate plus cherries plus whiskey equals a very good thing. Chop up a handful of chocolate-covered cherries and add it right to the whiskey. Drink it straight as an aperitif, or use it as the base of a dessert cocktail. 

A classic whiskey infusion, three strips of bacon add a meaty, smoky element that's surprisingly not unwelcome. For an extra kick, throw in half a cup of coffee as well. 

Coarsely grind and toast a packet of mulling spices (which include cinnamon, allspice, and anise) and tie them all up in cheesecloth. Let it soak in whiskey for one or two days, and enjoy; it's great mixed with apple cider. 

If you like it spicy, let a sliced chile pepper steep in whiskey for a couple days. It's going to be hot, so consider mellowing it out with some honey. 

Looking for a Christmas-style infusion? Add in a handful of crushed cranberries, some crushed roasted chestnuts, and a couple toasted cinnamon sticks, and let it all get happy for a couple days. Talk about a winter warmer!