It's not often you find any infused flavor of gin on the shelves, aside from the usual rotation of botanical flavors and sometimes a one-off fruit flavor, gin goes relatively unnoticed in the flavor liquor world. Thankfully, home infusion flavors couldn't be easier. Whether you dream of a berry-infused gin or something a bit romantic like a plum-infused gin, there's an infusion for any whim or occasion.
Pear-Infused Gin
Give your gin a soft pear flavor, perfect for enjoying neat, in a pear martini, or mixed into a classic gin pear cocktail.
Ingredients
- 2 pears cored and sliced
- 750mL gin
- Two large clean bottles or jars
- Cheesecloth or other fine strainer
- Funnel
Instructions
- Carefully slice the pear, omitting any seeds or stems.
- In a large clean bottle or jars, add pears and gin.
- After capping, swirl the container gently to start to mix the ingredients.
- Store in a cool, dark place for approximately 3 to 4 days. Give the container a light swirl each day.
- On the last day of steeping, sample a small amount by pouring a splash into a glass. If you want more pear flavor, allow it to steep longer.
- If the pear gin is to your liking, carefully remove the pear slices and discard them.
- To store the infusion, funnel the infused vodka into the second clean bottle, filtering with the cheesecloth.
- Carefully seal.
You can use the newly infused gin right away. Take care to store unused gin in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dark place for approximately one to two years without the flavor diminishing. However, discard it when the flavor starts to fade or tastes "off."
Cranberry-Infused Gin
Play on the juniper gin flavors by adding tart cranberry.
Ingredients
- 1½ to 2 cups slightly crushed cranberries
- 750mL gin
- Two large clean bottles or jars
- Cheesecloth or other fine strainer
- Funnel
Instructions
- In a large, clean jar or bottle, add prepared cranberries and gin and tightly seal.
- Give the mix a gentle shake.
- Store in a cool, dry place for approximately 3 to 4 days, gently shaking the container each day.
- After the infusion has steeped, pour a small amount into a glass to sample. If it meets your expectations, funnel and strain ingredients into a second clean jar or bottle. Otherwise, allow the ingredients to steep further.
Cherry-Infused Gin
Skip the artificial cherry flavors found on the liquor store shelves in favor of your own homemade cherry infusion.
Ingredients
- 1½ cups pitted cherries
- 750mL gin
- Two large clean bottles or jars
- Cheesecloth or other fine strainer
- Funnel
Instructions
- In a large, clean jar or bottle, add prepared cherries and gin and tightly seal.
- Give the mix a gentle shake.
- Store in a cool, dry place for approximately 3 to 4 days, gently shaking the container each day.
- After the infusion has steeped, pour a small amount into a glass to sample. If it meets your expectations, funnel and strain ingredients into a second clean jar or bottle. Otherwise, allow the ingredients to steep further.
Peach-Infused Gin
Dream of summery flavors year-round with a juicy peach infusion.
Ingredients
- 1½ cups pitted cherries
- 750mL gin
- Two large clean bottles or jars
- Cheesecloth or other fine strainer
- Funnel
Instructions
- In a large, clean jar or bottle, add prepared cherries and gin and tightly seal.
- Give the mix a gentle shake.
- Store in a cool, dry place for approximately 3 to 4 days, gently shaking the container each day.
- After the infusion has steeped, pour a small amount into a glass to sample. If it meets your expectations, funnel and strain ingredients into a second clean jar or bottle. Otherwise, allow the ingredients to steep further.
Strawberry-Infused Gin
Pair your favorite gin with the bright flavors of strawberry. Imagine the Negronis!
Ingredients
- 1½ to 2 cups hulled and sliced fresh strawberries
- 750mL gin
- Two large clean bottles or jars
- Cheesecloth or other fine strainer
- Funnel
Instructions
- In a large, clean jar or bottle, add prepared strawberries and gin and tightly seal.
- Give the mix a gentle shake.
- Store in a cool, dry place for approximately 3 to 4 days, gently shaking the container each day.
- After the infusion has steeped, pour a small amount into a glass to sample. If it meets your expectations, funnel and strain ingredients into a second clean jar or bottle. Otherwise, allow the ingredients to steep further.
Pineapple-Infused Gin
Explore the tropical sides of gin and gin cocktails by infusing yours with pineapple.
Ingredients
- 1½ cups peeled and cubed pineapple
- 750mL gin
- Two large clean bottles or jars
- Cheesecloth or other fine strainer
- Funnel
Instructions
- In a large, clean jar or bottle, add prepared pineapple and gin and tightly seal.
- Give the mix a gentle shake.
- Store in a cool, dry place for approximately 3 to 4 days, gently shaking the container each day.
- After the infusion has steeped, pour a small amount into a glass to sample. If it meets your expectations, funnel and strain ingredients into a second clean jar or bottle. Otherwise, allow the ingredients to steep further.
Plum-Infused Gin
Plum is a dreamy and whimsical flavor that'll elevate any ordinary gin cocktail to a whole new level.
Ingredients
- 7-9 pitted plums
- 750mL gin
- Two large clean bottles or jars
- Cheesecloth or other fine strainer
- Funnel
Instructions
- In a large, clean jar or bottle, add prepared plums and gin and tightly seal.
- Give the mix a gentle shake.
- Store in a cool, dry place for approximately 3 to 4 days, gently shaking the container each day.
- After the infusion has steeped, pour a small amount into a glass to sample. If it meets your expectations, funnel and strain ingredients into a second clean jar or bottle. Otherwise, allow the ingredients to steep further.
Pomegranate-Infused Gin
Skip the pomegranate juice mixer by adding pomegranate seeds directly to your gin. Pro tip: seed the pomegranate while submerged in a bowl of water to cut down on the mess.
Ingredients
- 1 to 1½ cups pomegranate seeds, approximately two to three pomegranates
- 750mL gin
- Two large clean bottles or jars
- Cheesecloth or other fine strainer
- Funnel
Instructions
- In a large, clean jar or bottle, add prepared pomegranate seeds and gin and tightly seal.
- Give the mix a gentle shake.
- Store in a cool, dry place for approximately 3 to 4 days, gently shaking the container each day.
- After the infusion has steeped, pour a small amount into a glass to sample. If it meets your expectations, funnel and strain ingredients into a second clean jar or bottle. Otherwise, allow the ingredients to steep further.
Blackberry-Infused Gin
When you have blackberry gin on hand, you're more than halfway to a bramble at any time. Isn't that the life? Not an even more pronounced blackberry flavor, every so gently crush the blackberries to release juices.
Ingredients
- 1½ to 2 cups blackberries
- 750mL gin
- Two large clean bottles or jars
- Cheesecloth or other fine strainer
- Funnel
Instructions
- In a large, clean jar or bottle, add prepared blackberries and gin and tightly seal.
- Give the mix a gentle shake.
- Store in a cool, dry place for approximately 3 to 4 days, gently shaking the container each day.
- After the infusion has steeped, pour a small amount into a glass to sample. If it meets your expectations, funnel and strain ingredients into a second clean jar or bottle. Otherwise, allow the ingredients to steep further.
Blueberry-Infused Gin
Who doesn't want a beautiful bottle of violet-hued gin on their shelf? Take the chance on a visually striking and tasting gin.
Ingredients
- 1½ to 2 cups blueberries
- 750mL gin
- Two large clean bottles or jars
- Cheesecloth or other fine strainer
- Funnel
Instructions
- Slice or very lightly muddle the blueberries. If you're using a jar, you can mash directly in the jar.
- In a large, clean jar or bottle, add prepared blackberries and gin and tightly seal.
- Give the mix a gentle shake.
- Store in a cool, dry place for approximately 3 to 4 days, gently shaking the container each day.
- After the infusion has steeped, pour a small amount into a glass to sample. If it meets your expectations, funnel and strain ingredients into a second clean jar or bottle. Otherwise, allow the ingredients to steep further.
Variations of Fruit-Infused Gin
Mix and match your fruit flavors with other fruits, a little heat, or go with complex notes by adding herbs or spices. Just remember, you aren't pairing with just fruit flavors but the juniper notes in gin, as well.
- Create a cardamom-infused gin flavor by adding 6-10 gentle crushed cardamom pods to your infusion.
- Add two to three sprigs of fresh basil, mint, rosemary, or sage for an herbaceous touch.
- If you want a crisp balance, add a whole cucumber cut into wheels.
- Sometimes a sweeter gin is called for, and you can achieve this by adding a half cup of honey.
- Add a whole vanilla bean for a soft, sweet flavor.
- Citrus adds an excellent balance to fruit and gin. You can achieve this by using two to three whole sliced lemons or limes as well as a whole sliced large orange.
Fruit-Infused Gin Flavor Pairings
Consider these flavor pairings. Remember that these aren't the only options, merely a springboard for your imagination.
- Strawberry + blackberry
- Strawberry + orange
- Peach + blueberry
- Peach + blueberry
- Blueberries + rosemary
- Pineapple + pomegranate
- Plum + cherry
- Pear + cardamom
- Plum + ginger
- Pomegranate + lemon
- Cranberry + lime
- Blackberry + mint
- Blueberry + pear
- Pear + honey
- Blueberry + orange
Fruit-Infused Gin Cocktails
While these certainly aren't the only fruit-flavored gin cocktails you can make, they're a great place to start experimenting as you develop your own recipes.
Fruit-Infused Gin Martini
This martini recipe calls for the pomegranate infusion, but you can use any of the fruit flavors. If the taste is too dry or bitter, start with a quarter ounce of simple syrup.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces pomegranate-infused gin
- ½ ounce dry vermouth
- ¼ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Ice
- Orange ribbon for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a mixing glass, add ice, fruit gin, dry vermouth, and lemon juice.
- Stir rapidly to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with orange ribbon.
Fruity Highball
Pick your favorite of the fruit-flavored gin infusions to build a delicious highball effortlessly.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces blueberry-infused gin
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- Ice
- Club soda to top off
- Blueberries and rosemary sprig for garnish
Instructions
- In a highball glass, add ice, blueberry gin, lime juice, and simple syrup.
- Stir to mix.
- Top off with club soda.
- Garnish with blueberries and rosemary sprig.
Gin Smash
Nothing layers or marries flavors better than using muddled fresh fruit.
Ingredients
- 2-3 hulled and sliced strawberries
- 2 ounces peach-infused gin
- ¾ ounce elderflower liqueur
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed orange juice
- ¼ ounce simple syrup
- Ice
- Strawberry for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker muddle strawberry slices with simple syrup.
- Add ice, peach gin, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, and orange juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garish with strawberry.
The Orchard's Negroni
Whether you picked your fruit from an orchard or a bramble, your fruit gin will upgrade the classic Negroni.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces cherry-infused gin
- 1 ounce Campari
- 1 ounce sweet vermouth
- Ice
- Orange slice for garnish
Instructions
- In a mixing glass, add ice, cherry gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth.
- Stir rapidly to chill.
- Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with orange slice.
Mixers for Fruit-Infused Gin Drinks
With just a blink of an eye, you'll have a fruit-flavored gin cocktail using any of these mixers.
- Tonic water
- Plain club soda
- Flavored club soda, such as coconut, vanilla, fruit, berry, lemon, or lime
- Lemon-lime soda
- Orange juice
- Pineapple juice
- Lemon juice
- Lime juice
- Coconut water
- Honey
- Simple syrup
- Apricot brandy
- Apple brandy
- Champagne or prosecco
- Orange liqueur
- Cranberry juice
- Cherry juice
- Earl Grey tea
- Lemonade
- Limeade
A Fruit-Infused Gin for Any Wish
Don't be frightened or intimated by the idea of infusing gin; although it does have all those forward juniper notes, it blends pretty seamlessly with fruit flavors. Whether you want a bramble in two steps or want something modern for brunch, fruit-infused gin is the way of the future.
