Questions tagged [alcohol]

Alcohol is a class of liquids which includes beer, wine, liquor and spirits, and is used as a flavor enhancer in cooking. Use this tag for questions about selecting, identifying, storing, preparing, replacing or cooking with alcohol as a star ingredient. Questions about dishes which include alcohol, but are not focused on alcohol, should not use this tag.

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77 votes
7 answers
274k views

Cooking away alcohol

When you cook with wine or spirits, when does the alcohol cook away? Obviously high temperatures will do it, but how low of temperatures will work? Also, does it vary by the type of alcohol?
Dinah's user avatar
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35 votes
1 answer
15k views

Is it safe to drink grain alcohol mixed with snake blood?

I was in Vietnam recently and I took a shot of grain alcohol mixed with blood from a freshly killed cobra. That was close to a month ago and I didn't die or get sick, but I'm wondering how dangerous ...
USER_8675309's user avatar
32 votes
3 answers
239k views

Why doesn't Bailey's go bad?

I realize it can go bad after a long time, but why does it take so much longer than other dairy products? Does it have to do with the alcohol content? If so, what is the process that is happening?
Jeremy's user avatar
  • 423
29 votes
3 answers
100k views

What happens when you mix whiskey and water?

It is sometimes said that to best experience the flavor and aroma of a good whiskey (or whisky), one ought to add a bit of water. This practice is said to release flavors somehow. Is there any truth ...
Ray's user avatar
  • 6,164
26 votes
6 answers
11k views

Why not use alcohol ice?

I don't really drink alcohol so it's more of a theoretical question. I know that some people don't like ice because it dilutes the drink, so they prefer to use metal or stone cubes instead. However ...
Amomum's user avatar
  • 363
26 votes
5 answers
8k views

Name of the alcoholic products of fermenting sugar and distilling mead, analogous to fermenting grapes to get wine and distilling wine to get brandy?

As I understand it Ferment grains and you get beer. Distill that beer and you get whiskey. Ferment grapes and you get wine. Distill that wine and you get brandy. Ferment sugar you get ???. Distill ...
micoh123's user avatar
  • 369
25 votes
13 answers
279k views

What is a substitute for red or white wine in a recipe?

If someone cannot or will not use wine for cooking, what would be a good substitute? Question applies to both red and white wine.
JustRightMenus's user avatar
22 votes
1 answer
2k views

What is a liqueur?

I was sitting in a hotel bar sipping cocktails with friends last night, and as one of the less well-versed of us was casting an eye over the cocktail list, he idly asked "is vermouth a liqueur?". "Of ...
Tom Anderson's user avatar
20 votes
5 answers
8k views

How to replace booze in eggnog?

I have been relegated to bringing "drinks" for a work holiday potluck. Fair enough. I love eggnog and would like to bring some. However, my recipe includes two jiggers of bourbon or brandy. It might ...
AdamO's user avatar
  • 2,070
20 votes
4 answers
7k views

Can we keep alcoholic beverages indefinitely?

I have some never opened alcoholic bottles under the kitchen sink and has been there for years. The are basically whiskey, vodka and bacardi. I always thought that alcoholic drink never go bad and ...
Jim's user avatar
  • 451
19 votes
4 answers
2k views

Is there any trick to make a palindrome-cocktail?

I'm trying to make a palindrome cocktail: made by building the components, like for example the classic B52; and also having the same ingredients going from top to bottom as it has going from bottom ...
Jeroen's user avatar
  • 3,001
14 votes
6 answers
5k views

Can you put a bottle of whiskey in the oven

I was in the mood to give someone a bottle of whiskey, but to customize it, I wanted to decorate it with polymer clay. But to set polymer clay, you have to put it in the oven and so therefore I would ...
Franky's user avatar
  • 165
13 votes
3 answers
30k views

Non-alcoholic substitution for dry white wine in bolognese sauce and other tomato sauces?

What is the purpose of dry white wine in a recipe like bolognese sauce? I need to substitute something non-alcoholic for the wine and while I've found many great lists of possible substitutions, the ...
fitzhugh's user avatar
  • 131
13 votes
4 answers
79k views

Eggnog to Spirit ratio? [closed]

I know, I know, I should be making my own eggnog, but when I'm in a pinch and I don't have the time to make my own eggnog, I have to rely on the store bought stuff. With that being said, can anyone ...
Jason Rueckert's user avatar
12 votes
7 answers
52k views

Shaking cocktails without bar equipment

Is it possible to make shaken cocktails without bar equipment handy? How do you improvise when a cocktail shaker or strainer isn't available?
maxhawkins's user avatar
12 votes
6 answers
73k views

does bread have alcohol in it?

According to wikipedia, the byproducts of yeast fermenting (like done in baking it says) are carbon dioxide and alcohol (not necessarily ethanol -- the kind you can get drunk on). If that's the case, ...
Alexander Bird's user avatar
11 votes
5 answers
3k views

How to add bourbon flavor?

I’ve fermented two batches of sriracha, one in a small bourbon cask, the other in a mason jar. The bourbon cask fermented batch flavor is fantastic. The mason jar batch is tasty too. I’m curious how I ...
beausmith's user avatar
  • 545
11 votes
1 answer
795 views

Bourboning up a ganache

I'm making this bete noire for tomorrow: La Bete Noire I have yet to screw up this recipe. It's easy, and will satisfy most hedonists. It is a little one-note though. I'd like to add some bourbon to ...
Scott Seidman's user avatar
11 votes
1 answer
2k views

Vanilla extract with pure alcohol

Nearly every recipe for making vanilla extract suggests the use of Vodka, or an alternative alcoholic beverage with a high alcohol content (typically 35%+), such as Rum or Bourbon. However, the ...
JJM Driessen's user avatar
11 votes
4 answers
40k views

what is a good liquid to replace tequila with?

I'm looking to try a marinade recipe I found recently that calls for tequila. However one of my friends is unable to consume alcohol. What would be a good flavorful liquid to use? I'm looking for a ...
Covar's user avatar
  • 1,693
11 votes
6 answers
29k views

What type of rum to use when making vanilla extract?

My mom just bought me some vanilla beans from Tahiti and said that the person she bought them from suggested using rum to make an extract. What type of rum should be used, white or dark rum, and is ...
lemontwist's user avatar
  • 3,060
10 votes
7 answers
80k views

What can I substitute for Cointreau

I want to make cocktails that call for Cointreau (Orange Liquor), but it's rather expensive for a college student as myself. What can I substitute Cointreau for that wont break the bank? Options ...
JS Lavertu's user avatar
10 votes
5 answers
84k views

Whiskey inside a metal flask for a month. Safe for drinking?

Taste aside, is it safe for drinking? Whiskey that was left inside a stainless steel flask?
Somebody still uses you MS-DOS's user avatar
10 votes
2 answers
2k views

Why does my lime peel-alcohol infusion become cloudy when mixed with water?

Over the past week or so, I've been experimenting with infusing lime peels in alcohol, by: Peel limes Mix with 250mL of 151-proof grain alcohol Let sit for a week Strain through a coffee filter. ...
Evan Krall's user avatar
10 votes
4 answers
34k views

Can alcohol bottles (especially liquor) be stored on their side?

I have a fairly well-stocked mini-bar, but not a lot of space. I've considered storing the bottles in a drawer, but I've heard that you should store certain alcohol upright. Is this true? If so, why?...
ramblinjan's user avatar
9 votes
3 answers
15k views

How can I thicken margaritas?

I've been making margaritas and I've found that, unlike fancy bar/restaraunt bought margaritas, my margaritas come out more like a liquid drink with shaved ice sitting in it than a mixture. I have a ...
Ben Brocka's user avatar
9 votes
3 answers
59k views

Cooking alcohol: how many calories are lost?

Google fails me. I'm curious how many calories are burned away when you cook various kinds of alcohol...wines, liquors, beers (including lite beer).
themirror's user avatar
  • 573
9 votes
2 answers
3k views

How can this "Bloody Brain" cocktail be made without alcohol?

I found this recipe for a Halloween cocktail known as a "Bloody brain", here's a link, and I was wondering how I would go about making a non-alcoholic version. The recipe involves strings of Bailey's ...
death_au's user avatar
  • 193
8 votes
10 answers
53k views

What's the secret to getting restaurant-quality frozen drinks at home?

A while back I purchased one of the Ninja blenders so my GF and I could make frozen margaritas at home. So far, we have been pretty displeased with the results. Instead of getting a "smoother" ...
jzimmerman2011's user avatar
8 votes
2 answers
7k views

Does fruitcake made with alcohol stay alcoholic after aging?

I'm trying to keep up a tradition of sending fruitcake out to families, only I know some families are more averse to alcohol in general than others. The recipe I have uses 170 grams of brandy as well ...
SomethingSomething's user avatar
8 votes
3 answers
15k views

What are some good substitions for alcohol in cooking?

One of my favorite recipes these days is making a good bananas foster dessert. Everyone I know enjoys it, to some extent, so it's a go-to dessert, for me. One of my concerns, however, is that since ...
Tux's user avatar
  • 337
8 votes
7 answers
48k views

I have difficulty finding "ANGOSTURA" bitters, is there any substitute?

My preferred pre-dinner drink is the Manathan, but I have difficulties finding ANGOSTURA bitters. Is there anything else that I could use instead of it?
DavRob60's user avatar
  • 267
8 votes
1 answer
466 views

storing liquor in cabin for the winter--quality loss?

I stocked up on a few mid-range "nice" whiskeys, scotches, and cognacs ($50-70 bottles) while visiting my summer cottage this summer but will likely not finish off all the bottles before I leave in a ...
Jim Cummings's user avatar
8 votes
5 answers
56k views

When left out in an open container, what % abv does vodka retain at room temperature?

If I pour vodka (40% abv) into an open glass, and then leave it out overnight (or for some time), what percent ABV does it stabalize at? Or does all of its alcohol content evaporate (leaving just ...
chausies's user avatar
  • 482
7 votes
9 answers
93k views

Non-alcoholic substitute for brandy?

I have a cake that calls for 4 Tablespoons of brandy. I don't have any brandy in the house, nor any kind of liquor at all (besides maybe red wine vinegar which doesn't help much). Is there anything I ...
clueless's user avatar
  • 3,040
7 votes
3 answers
206k views

Soaking fruit in alcohol

I thought that soaking fruit in whiskey would be tasty so last night, I filled a mason jar with pear pieces and filled it up with Jack Daniels. What is the optimal amount of time this should be ...
amphibient's user avatar
  • 2,869
7 votes
2 answers
2k views

What is the purpose of Whiskey rocks?

My friend puts cold rocks in his whiskey to cool it down. Is it to look fancy? Can he just put the bottle in the fridge to cool it down without needing to put rocks in it?
Neil's user avatar
  • 137
7 votes
2 answers
3k views

Is there a substitute for port wine in a dessert risotto?

I am looking for a substitute for port wine in a "dessert risotto" that I would like to make. It's not that I'm worried about the alcohol (I would actually prefer to use the port), I just can't ...
wlyles's user avatar
  • 173
7 votes
6 answers
34k views

How to remove the flavor from whisky stones?

I made the mistake of buying these awesome whisky stones (soapstone) to chill my drinks. Besides the fact that they don't cool the drink down a lot, they acquire a freezer taste and ruin the flavor of ...
slybloty's user avatar
  • 173
7 votes
7 answers
13k views

How can I improve the 2:1:1 margarita recipe? [closed]

I bought my wife that Margaritaville Frozen Concoction Maker, and it is awesome. We make a lot of margaritas, but always with pre-made mixes. I tried one recipe to make one from scratch, and it was ...
Martin's user avatar
  • 427
7 votes
2 answers
1k views

Can I use a flavored liqueur to make vanilla extract?

Is it possible to make the extract with Crème De Cacao instead of vodka? I ask because I have some Crème De Cacao that I used in making a Grasshopper pie, but it is only "17.5"% (35 proof)" I don't ...
joanne's user avatar
  • 71
7 votes
1 answer
656 views

Where did the idea of using alcohol in pie crust come from?

Back in 2008, Good Eats showed a recipe for pie crust which included distilled alcohol. In 2009, America's Test Kitchen showed a recipe for blueberry pie which also used alcohol in the crust. In both ...
Kenster's user avatar
  • 1,410
7 votes
3 answers
76k views

How long will infused alcohol last?

I'm attempting to infuse alcohol for the first time, and I'm wondering how long the infusions will keep? I've read a few different (contradictory) opinions on this matter. One recipe for vanilla vodka ...
wbyoung's user avatar
  • 223
7 votes
2 answers
11k views

Does adding brandy to whipped cream make it fall quicker?

I make whipped cream frequently, but this was the first time I added "real" alcohol, and it fell within 20 minutes. I put both the bowl and beaters in the freezer until cold. Then, I whip heavy ...
user4108's user avatar
7 votes
3 answers
2k views

Is it possible to make low-alcohol Limoncello?

Lemons are currently in season and dirt cheap. I'd like to make a homemade Limoncello. The recipe I'm using calls for odorless, high-ABV (150+ proof) spirit, like Everclear. Unfortunately, my state ...
Jake McGraw's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
2k views

Jello Shots Techniques: Alcohol Concentration

When making jello shots, what proportions do you typically use? For hard liquor like Gin, Tequila or Vodka, I've been using 1 part hot water to dissolve the jello and then 1 part cold spirits. Some ...
Cade Roux's user avatar
  • 813
7 votes
3 answers
21k views

Does pressure cooking preserve alcohol?

I use my pressure cooker a lot and for one recipe I'm practically bathing a few pork loins in white wine. I know that pressure cooking only reduces liquid by less than five percent, and I know that ...
Katie Olfert's user avatar
6 votes
5 answers
3k views

What's the difference between Santa Cruz Rum and Jamaican Rum?

Reading through a book of cocktail recipes from the late 1800s, I notice some recipes call specifically for Santa Cruz rum and some call for Jamaican rum. Is this a mere place of origin reference, or ...
Yamikuronue's user avatar
  • 8,834
6 votes
2 answers
995 views

Keep alcohol in spiced rum reduction?

I'm working on a new recipe and want to make a spiced rum reduction without losing the alcohol. Don't just want it thicker or I'd use xanthum gum I want less liquid with stronger flavor and the ...
N0FaC3's user avatar
  • 61
6 votes
1 answer
2k views

Can alcohol extraction be used to draw more of the spice flavors out in chai tea concentrate?

I make chai concentrate by: Quickly boiling ginger puree twice (each time for about 20-30 minutes). Boiling the spices (bruised/coarse-ground) for about an hour, removing the liquid, then repeating ...
AVLien's user avatar
  • 63