Whole Sticks To Fine Powder, Here's How To Infuse Cinnamon Into Your Cocktails
As a child, if you didn’t appreciate the wonderfully spicy and flavourful spice that is cinnamon, it is understandable. But as an adult, you’re guaranteed to revise that opinion. This gorgeous spice is rich in flavour and continues to be an ingredient across cuisines and of course, beverages.
It’s really hard to pinpoint exactly when, where, and by whom it was first used in cocktails, considering the spice’s history of being utilised in cuisine and medicine. However, its use in cocktails and resulting popularity in mixology can roughly be dated to the ’80s and ’90s. One of the earliest recorded cocktails that features cinnamon as a key ingredient is the Hot Buttered Rum, which became popular in the United States during colonial rule. So, if you’re wondering how to infuse this delicious spice into your cocktails, here are a few recipes you should definitely check out.
Using Cinnamon Sticks
The magic of these dried barks in their most natural form is formidable when it comes to beverages. They’re derived from the bark of Cinnamomum trees, and not only do they enhance flavours but also the visual appeal of the drink. To use them in cocktails, pick the freshest cinnamon sticks – you’ll be able to tell because the fresh ones are the most fragrant. For the infusion, you’ll need about 2 sticks and you can crush or grind them. Not into a fine powder though, just separate the stick into tiny pieces. In a mason or airtight jar, combine the cinnamon with 250 ml of your preferred spirit. Let it infuse for at least a week. Once you’re happy with the taste, you can strain the mixture using a cheesecloth and your base for cinnamon-infused cocktails is ready!
Making The Syrup
This adds a delightful spice, sweet, and earthy flavour profile to cocktails, so if you love cinnamon, you should definitely store some syrup. For this recipe, you’ll need to combine 200 ml of water with 200 gms of granulated sugar (brown or white, whatever you prefer), in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add about 4 cinnamon sticks to the pan and bring it to a gentle boil. Then, reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 15 minutes. Finally, remove it from the heat and strain the sticks out once the syrup has cooled. Store the syrup in a glass bottle which can be stored for up to a month. This syrup goes fabulously in Whisky Sours, Old Fashioneds, Apple Mules, Hot Toddys, Espresso Martinis, and even in Rosemary Gin Fizz.
The Powdered Goodness
For this, begin by selecting high-quality cinnamon sticks and grind them. That’s literally all you need to do! Then, you can combine the powder with your favourite spirits. Allow the mixture to sit for an hour or so to let the flavours infuse. This can also become a base for a cocktail or you can even use it to garnish your cocktail with a sprinkle of the powder.
If there’s a recipe you’d like to try out, you should definitely start with a Cinnamon Apple Tody. For this, you’ll need 30 ml of bourbon, 60 ml of apple juice, 15 ml of cinnamon syrup, and an apple slice and cinnamon stick for garnish. To assemble your cocktail, combine the bourbon, apple juice, and cinnamon syrup and garnish with an apple slice and cinnamon stick. It’s really that easy and you can enjoy this on a cold day when you’re looking for something to warm you up
