Cooking with Brad

People love DIY gifts. People also love alcohol. And with Valentine’s Day coming up, these quick concoctions could just save the day.

How to make infused alcohol: Desired flavors + liquor + sealed container + dark cabinet = drunk deliciousness.

And they don’t have to take forever. “I’ve found that most recipes for infusions tell people to leave stuff steeping for entirely too long,” says Marcia Simmons on Serious Eats. (As an infused alcohol experimenter myself, I have to agree with her.) “Herbs, hot peppers, and vanilla beans, for instance, can make an intensely flavored infusion in as little as a day,” she says.

Here are quickie infusions that are sure to make them happy…

If it’s 3 days before Valentine’s day…

Make these…

1. Pineapple and Pepper Vodka

For a spice-lover. Get the recipe here.

2. Orange and Vanilla Bourbon

For sweet and citrusy realness. Get the recipe here.

3. Rosemary Vodka

For herbal goodness. Get the recipe.

4. Peach and Pecan Bourbon

For a dessert you can drink. Get the recipe here.

5. Strawberry Basil Vodka

For summer’s day in a bottle. Get the recipe here.

6. Mango Tequila

For something a little sweet that packs a big punch. Get the recipe here.

If it’s 2 days before Valentine’s Day…

Try these…

7. Jalapeño-Infused Tequila

For Mexican take-out’s new best friend. Get the recipe here.

8. Rosemary, Ginger, and Asian Pear Vodka

For something classy. Get the recipe here.

9. Cherry Vodka

For the ideal chocolate pairing. Get the recipe here.

10. Strawberry Tequila

For a colorful margarita. Get the recipe here.

11. Citrus Rosemary Vodka

For something perfect to be served neat. Get the recipe here.

If it’s the day before Valentine’s Day…

Do these (for heaven’s sake)…

12. Same-Day Bacon Bourbon

For getting play (because you know they’ll worship you for this). Get the recipe here.

13. Apple Cinnamon Whiskey

For something to sip by a fire (or space heater). Get the recipe here.

14. Blueberry Vodka

For something super refreshing. Get the recipe here.

15. Vanilla Honey Ginger Whiskey

For a potential cold remedy—brought to you by completely unscientific non-research. Get the recipe here.

They will just love drinking up.

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And adore you all the more for it.