37
votes
Accepted
Why add vodka to batter for frying fish?
According to this article about Blumenthal's method, which also explains the other ingredient/method choices: https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/07/dining/07curious.html
The key to the Fat Duck batter ...
- 11.9k
32
votes
Can we keep alcoholic beverages indefinitely?
Short Answer: Yes.
In general, unopened containers of alcohol have an indefinite shelf-life. For example, there are 500+ year old barrels of wine which are likely still drinkable (i.e. not only safe ...
- 1,718
10
votes
Accepted
Why does a (vodka) martini often come with an olive on a stick?
Olives (and onions) are a very traditional garnish used by bartenders to add a slightly savory flavor to a drink. As with many things behind the bar, they're used nowadays largely because they're ...
- 14.9k
10
votes
When left out in an open container, what % abv does vodka retain at room temperature?
As a chemist I'd say that the question is really impossible to answer as given.
The gist is that for a water/ethanol mixture both components will evaporate. So if the liquid is left out long enough, ...
- 2,669
9
votes
Can we keep alcoholic beverages indefinitely?
Alcohol in high concentratons is a preservative.
The only spiritous liquor or cordial type thing I've ever had go off from age was off-brand Irish Cream liqueur which curdled - never had a problem ...
- 15.9k
5
votes
Can we keep alcoholic beverages indefinitely?
I've experienced sugar crystallising out of some very-sweet liqueurs. That's taken over 20 years so far, with a net result that the content is less-sweet than it used to be.
And that suits my ...
- 646
4
votes
Soaking fruits and things in alcohol
You made something what in Poland we call tincture Nalewka . But we usually use 160 proof spirit.
Fresh fruits in alcohol will infuse it with it's taste and sweetness. Very good with clean alcohol. ...
- 4,121
4
votes
Accepted
Is there such a thing as a single malt vodka?
I think you (and your friend) are confusing two similar terms.
"Single Malt" - the making of spirit from a single type of grain by a produced by a single distiller (for whisky, that's ...
- 16.5k
4
votes
Can we keep alcoholic beverages indefinitely?
Unopened spirits have an indefinite shelf life. Once opened, color and flavor may be impacted. They will certainly be food safe. Wine is fermented fruit. It continues to change, even in a sealed ...
- 73.8k
4
votes
Can you make extracts faster by heating the alcohol?
Vanilla (a spice) is different to fruit in that it's a very concentrated flavour to start with. Cherries aren't that concentrated. Eating a handful of cherries is normal, but eating a vanilla pod ...
- 43.8k
3
votes
How can I remove a stuck liquor decanter stopper?
Just got the firmly stuck stopper out of my whiskey decanter by using a hot wash cloth. I wet it and wrung it out, popped it in the microwave for 30 seconds, and wrapped it around the neck. Meanwhile, ...
- 31
3
votes
Is Shochu an acceptable alternative to Awamori?
Yes, and in fact awamori is considered a type of shochu in mainland Japan. Most distilled rice wines (even Chinese or Korean) with a higher alcohol content will work (awamori is within the 30%-45% ...
- 509
3
votes
Is Shochu an acceptable alternative to Awamori?
I would say yes, both are distilled rice alcohol.
There might be some differences in the raw (uncooked) alcohol, but if used in a recipe and cooked, the differences will be less.
Curious, what recipes ...
- 20.5k
2
votes
When left out in an open container, what % abv does vodka retain at room temperature?
The answer given by another commenter, that unless the room is able to reach an equilibrium concentration of ethanol, all ethanol will evaporate from the glass, without stopping at any specific point, ...
- 21
2
votes
How to make elderberry extract
Typically you'll get the most flavor using them fresh or frozen. I make fruit liqueurs with vodka, whole (or pitted & sliced - not a huge difference, really) fruits, and sugar, and figure on them ...
- 15.9k
2
votes
Can you make extracts faster by heating the alcohol?
Sorry, it won't work
You are not making an extract, at least not in the sense in which you are using the word. You seem to expect to use it as a flavoring for other foods, while what you are making is ...
- 137k
1
vote
Can you make extracts faster by heating the alcohol?
The taste you're trying to extract is a combination of volatile and non-volatile compounds in the cherries. A longer extraction time is needed for the water fraction in the vodka to extract the non-...
- 5,381
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