Though it sounds, let’s say, mysterious, at its heart, fat washing in an infusion process that uses different types of fats to highlight subtle flavor notes in a variety of spirits. The first recorded use of this technique was bacon fat infused bourbon for an ultra-decadent Old Fashioned, and the practice caught on. 

Fat washing has since evolved to experiments with many types of liquors and fats, ranging from butter and duck fat to chocolate milk, which is used to bring out the understated chocolate notes in mezcal. Fat washing isn’t just for cocktail-loving carnivores, either. Olive oil and pistachio oil are gaining popularity among fat washing enthusiasts, and they pack a flavor punch that is vegan friendly. When it is fat washed with gin, coconut oil is a great way to add a taste of the tropics to a cocktail like the Gin Rickey.

Fat washing is all about flavor. Typically done as a cold infusion, fat is added to liquor and then frozen. Once solid, the fat gets skimmed off the top of the spirit, which is then strained and rebottled. Though the fat is removed, the flavor remains and adds a new dimension to the spirit that is similar to a float of citrus oil from an expressed rind, but with added depth because it’s throughout the cocktail and not just experienced as an aroma at the top. Fat washing can also add a richer, silky texture to the drink.

Though there are several ways to make fat washed liquor, including methods like sous vide, which requires special equipment, the classic technique is simple and straightforward.

1. Choose a spirit and a fat. Consider combinations that might work well together: rum and butter, Scotch and chocolate. 
2. Melt the fat and pour it over the spirit in a container you can seal. 
3. Shake gently, and then let the mixture settle for a few hours. 
4. Freeze until there is a thick cap of frozen fat on top of the liquor. 
5. Strain into a bottle or glass using cheesecloth to filter out any stray particles of fat. Viola!

From classic cocktails to your personal specialty of the house, fat washed spirits offer ample opportunities to put a new twist on an old favorite. These potent potables are also naturals with food pairings, which makes them a great option for entertaining guests and creating paired tasting menus. For the uninitiated, a Bacon Old Fashioned is a great introduction to fat washed cocktails.

The recipe calls for 2oz of bacon washed bourbon, one sugar cube, two dashes of Angostura bitters and ice, shaken well, poured over a large cube in a rocks glass, and garnished with a flamed orange peel. A variation of this, the Maple Bacon Old Fashioned, sweetens the drink with maple syrup instead of sugar, which sounds like a cocktail that we need to sample immediately.