I’ve been reading a lot of Hemingway set in Europe lately, which inspired me to try some brandy infusions. I started just as winter came back for Round Two, so I thought nut flavors would taste more seasonally appropriate than fruit.
I selected pecan, my favorite nut, and walnut, my wife’s favorite, for this set of experiments.
Each type was lightly salted then toasted at 400° for about 15 minutes and allowed to cool. Each was steeped for one week then bottled.
Ingredients:
- 750 ml of E & J VSOP Brandy
- 3 cups/1 lb. of toasted pecan or walnut halves and/or pieces
- sprinkle of salt
Preparation:
Preheat the oven to 400° degrees F. On a baking sheet, spread out the pecans or walnuts and lightly salt. Mix thoroughly and toast for about 15 minutes or until browning starts. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
When ready, using two quart mason jars, split the nuts and the brandy between the two jars. Steep for one week, shaking each day. When ready, strain the nuts (reserving for side treats like cookies, pancakes, or over ice cream) and bottle. You may have to repeat the straining process a couple times to catch all sediment.
Impressions:
The pecan style was a bit sweeter and slightly lighter in color. The walnut brandy was smoother, and a touch bitter in its early stage. Aging even a couple weeks allows it to mellow. Both taste good straight or on the rocks. You can also try them in these recipes.
Pecan Fin a l’eau:
- 2 oz Pecan Infused Brandy
- 4 oz Soda water
- Lemon strip for garnish (optional)
Pour the Pecan Infused Brandy over ice. Add 4 oz of soda water and stir. If desired, garnish with a strip of lemon peel.
The Praline:
- 2 oz Pecan Infused Brandy
- 1 drop vanilla extract
- 1 bar spoon of brown sugar
- Soda water to top off
In a Collins glass, combine the first three ingredients and stir to dissolve the sugar. Add ice and soda water to top off and stir once more.
This next drink is a variation of the famous Sidecar. “Side”, “car”, and the walnut reminded me of the family’s infamously explosive chariot when we were growing up, the Ford Pinto station wagon. Our particular highway dice roll was a light dog cigar brown with the fake wood paneling.
“It’s the new family Death Machine, kids! Since it’s the 1970’s, hop in back and don’t worry about seat belts!”
The Ford Pinto:
- 1½ oz Walnut Infused Brandy
- 1 oz Grand Marnier
- ½ oz lemon juice
- Orange peel for garnish
Over ice in an Old Fashioned glass, pour the ingredients and gently stir. Cut a piece of orange peel, twist over the drink to release the oils, rub around the rim of the glass, and drop in.
Trouble Brewing 