Question on NGS strawberry infusion

[rubberduck71]

I'm currently in the process of infusing ~500 mL of NGS with strawberries. End game is a strawberry vodka (didn't see that coming, did ya?).

My question is, should I add some lime juice to preserve color (or citric acid)? I remember seeing this in the panty dropper recipe (I think), but mine won't have any sugar. This is just for making SWIMBO cocktails.

Any other tricks to maintain the pretty color?

Thanks!

[zed255]

Hmm, my strawberry maceration gradually lost it's lovely colour. I did use some citric acid, but ascorbic acid might preserve colour better. First thing, don't plan on making large quantities, make what you can consume in a timely manner. Next, keep it out of the light, like anything with a natural colour light will have a negative effect. Last, minimize headspace, oxidation will not be your friend in trying to preserve colour.

If you get fresh local berries you can vacuum pack and freeze for off-season use without any degradation. This lets you make small amounts when the fancy strikes and consume quickly.

[Stonecutter]

I’ve put a couple of fresh strawberries cut in half in a sight glass to see what I could get during my spirit run. Results weren’t bad. May help you get some more flavor in there. If you decide to try it just make sure that you can visually verify you aren’t clogging up your vapor path…..boom

[NZChris]

If it fades, add food coloring and don't tell anyone.

[still_stirrin]

… Any other tricks to maintain the pretty color?

Well, you could add a drop or two of red food coloring. Woooooo …. that’s gonna’ leave a mark!

But, if appearances will help you “drop the panties”, then it may be worth it. Obviously the best answer is always serve fresh panty droppers. The fresh fruit is much more inviting. And freezing small packages of fresh fruit for use “on occasion” when you want to make another batch (again, timing is crucial to properly get those panties to drop) is a great idea.

But, the food coloring is benign to the spirit if you don’t abuse it.
ss

edit - added at the same time as NZChris.

[still_stirrin]

On a corollary idea, I made a cherry flavored rum by macerating jar of maraschino cherries in the rum (@ 50%ABV). Then, I tempered it back to 40%ABV using the maraschino cherry juice from the jar. It had a nice red color and a fantastic cherry flavor. And the rum complemented the flavor profile very nice. Above all, it was very “user friendly” and warming when consumed.

I probably should have tempered back to 70 proof (35%ABV), but it serves just as well over a couple of ice cubes. Look out guys … you’ll see panties falling everywhere.
ss

[Dougmatt]

I put some lemon juice in last years strawberry PD and stored it in a seldom opened fridge. Kept the color fine. Only slightly different than this years (I ultimately blended them). I think light, temp control and a little citric (or lemon juice) holds it ok.

[rubberduck71]

Well, you could add a drop or two of red food coloring. Woooooo …. that’s gonna’ leave a mark!

I did this with a recent batch of Bearded & Bored Key Limecello!

Look out guys … you’ll see panties falling everywhere.

I hate it when this happens...

[Twisted Brick]

On a corollary idea, I made a cherry flavored rum by macerating jar of maraschino cherries in the rum (@ 50%ABV). Then, I tempered it back to 40%ABV using the maraschino cherry juice from the jar. It had a nice red color and a fantastic cherry flavor. And the rum complemented the flavor profile very nice. Above all, it was very “user friendly” and warming when consumed.

I probably should have tempered back to 70 proof (35%ABV), but it serves just as well over a couple of ice cubes. Look out guys … you’ll see panties falling everywhere.
ss

This sounds delicious and is on my to-do list.

[ecir54]

props to all!!! so many ideas to get the panties dropping.

[shadylane]

If it fades, add food coloring and don't tell anyone.

And a drop or two of strawberry flavoring.

[NZChris]

If it fades, add food coloring and don't tell anyone.

And a drop or two of strawberry flavoring.

That's what I did after my first attempt at a Baileys style Strawberries & Cream. I didn't have enough strawberries in the pot when I distilled the geist, so did a bit of a top up when I made the liqueur. Very nice.

[EricTheRed]

Make 375 or 750ml at a time

Keep in freezer.

Drink before colour fades

[Yummyrum]

I use this in Tequila sunrises . A little goes a veeeeerry long way colourwise . Might be an alternative to Food colour worth a try .

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[NZChris]

These types of drinks don't need long aging, so do you really need to worry about color? Freshly made fruit spirits from your garden may be very memorable at family events, etc, but are quickly forgotten.

I make enough for the event, knowing that I will have to make another batch before the next occasion arises. The rest gets saved in the freezers and gets forgotten about.