Why Bourbon And Dehydrated Citrus Make The Perfect Cocktail Pairing

Slices of dehydrated fruit can look fancy in a cocktail glass, but that's not all they are good for. Those colorful wheels not only spruce up a drink's appearance but can also add a deep and subtle sweet flavor to beverages. Though hardened cuts of fruit may remind you of your mother's potpourri bowls, you won't have the same intensity of aroma from these dried pieces, making them a perfect companion for drinks that are already packing a heady punch.

When bartenders plop freshly cut fruit slices into a cocktail, juices from the fruit can seep out into the drink and ultimately change its flavor. Dried fruit pieces circumnavigate this potentially altering possibility to put more control back into a bartender's hands. Dried citrus, in particular, can be the perfect addition to bourbon-based drinks like the classic French 95. The most common tasting notes of bourbon like the sweet and smokier flavors are amplified with the gentle addition of dehydrated citrus that a fresh lemon peel can add. 

Once you begin to adorn the drinks you make at home with these cutesy garnishes, your friends may be stopping by more frequently for one of your creations. To make these, simply slice your choice of oranges, lemons, and limes into thin pieces and bake them at a low oven temperature of about 200 degrees Fahrenheit until they are brittle and dry. This typically will take around two hours for lemon and limes, and four hours for oranges. 

You can also spice the fruit before placing it in your oven so you have unique flavors to bring to drinks. Dustings of cinnamon, nutmeg, and even smoked paprika can be the unexpected detail your next smooth Old Fashioned cocktail calls for. With all these delightful aromas, the smell of your kitchen may prompt you to start mixing drinks or even thinking of other ways to use the wheels, like dipping them into dark chocolate and topping them with dustings of chopped walnuts and crunchy flakes of sea salt to enjoy alongside tonight's dram. Whichever way you decide to use them, your tastebuds with thank you.