Who else is ready for another infused bourbon recipe? Me, me, me! Not that it's all about me but I love infusing bourbon. This vanilla bean and orange infused bourbon is a winner.
If you made my cherry-infused bourbon during the summer, you already know my love for a good liquor infusion. You also know how delicious it is. And for those who didn't get a chance to make my cherry-infused bourbon, no worries. You can join in on the fun with this vanilla bean and orange infused bourbon. Get excited.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Infusing bourbon takes a little patience, but it's otherwise a ridiculously easy process. So let’s get to it.
Grab an airtight container and fill it with three cups of bourbon. As with any liquor, quality matters here. We don’t necessarily need the most expensive bottle on the shelf —- and I think that’s a waste when we’re infusing —- but we don’t want the cheapest bottle either.
I typically use Makers Mark for my infusions. Makers Mark has more upfront caramel and vanilla notes than some other bourbons, and I love how those flavors play with the fruit additions.
Now slice an orange and drop it into the bourbon. For the vanilla bean, use a paring knife and run it down the length of the vanilla bean. We're just trying to open the bean to expose all delicious vanilla goodness to the bourbon, so we don't need to press so hard that we completely cut through it. Just put enough pressure into the cut so we open one side of the vanilla bean. We then use our fingers to spread the vanilla bean open like a book.
Pop on the top and let the jar sit in a dark place for about four weeks. If you take care of it now, your bourbon will be ready for the holidays. Lucky you.
How to Use
Honestly, you can use this vanilla bean and orange infused bourbon in the same way you'd use regular bourbon. The orange and vanilla will add a little sweetness with a citrusy kick.
That said, I'm full of ideas in case you'd like a little more inspiration. If you're an eggnog fan, please do yourself a favor and spike your eggnog with this infusion. Bonus points for using this homemade maple eggnog, which is so much more delicious than anything you'd buy in a store.
Last holiday season, Matt and I made an eggnog flight and tasted tested six different liquors and liqueurs to see which combination we liked best. This vanilla bean and orange infused bourbon was absolutely delicious and my favorite of the bunch.
For another holiday treat, use it in a cranberry bourbon smash or pour it into your hot chocolate or apple cider. You'll also love this infused bourbon in a classic old fashioned. Hey, you're already adding an orange twist so why not a little orange infusion to go with it? And don't forget to try it in a Kentucky mule.
See? You have so many options with this vanilla bean and orange infused bourbon.
Perfect Pairing
I hope you have a sweet tooth because this bourbon pairs beautifully with desserts. A creme brûlée with its creamy texture and burned sugar is delicious with the undertones you get from the bourbon barrels. A spiced dessert, like a big slice of glazed gingerbread, is another perfect option.
If you love a good bourbon cocktail, I hope you give this vanilla bean and orange infused bourbon a try. I’m sure you’ll love it as much as I do.
Cheers!
Love Your Bourbon?
- Homemade apple cider
- Cherry bourbon smash
- Cherry-orange Kentucky mule
- Chai old fashioned
- Peach-maple bourbon smash
If you love this recipe, please leave a comment with a five-star rating — or simply hit the five-star button in the recipe card. Don't forget to sign up for my newsletter, and you can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and TikTok.
Vanilla Bean-Orange-Infused Bourbon
Equipment
- Large airtight container
Ingredients
- 3 cups bourbon
- 1 orange sliced
- 1 vanilla bean
Instructions
- Fill an airtight container with bourbon.
- Add in oranges. Split the vanilla bean down the middle using a paring knife and open the edges like a book to expose the vanilla bean to the bourbon. Add the vanilla bean.
- Store in a dark place for about four weeks. Use as you would regular bourbon. Enjoy!
Notes
- Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Mike says
What do you do with the orange and vanilla after its infused/
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
I just toss it! By the time it's done infusing, it's pretty worn out.
Donna Wynn says
Wonder if one could Sous Vide this recipe? It would reduce the 4 weeks to hours instead. I recently SV some Limoncello & it worked.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Hey, Donna! I don't have a sous vide, so I haven't been able to try it. That said, I've seen other sous vide recipes for infused liquors, so if you used the same principles with these ingredients, I would imagine it'd work. It has been on my list to get, so maybe I'll have to fix that, so I can try it myself and report back!
Kelly says
I noticed for the 2x and 3x recipe, the amount of orange and vanilla bean remain the same as a 1x. Is this correct? Making a large batch for gifts and want to confirm.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Hey there! That’s weird. That must be a glitch with the recipe card. I actually would double the other ingredients. Since that is a lot of orange, I would, however, taste it along the way to make sure it’s not too much. You can always remove the oranges and let the vanilla continue to infuse.
Teresa says
Would LOVE to try this but was wondering after sitting for 4-weeks, could you put it in a different bottle? Would the oranges look nice & fresh if whoever you gifted to doesn’t drink it fast?
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Hi, Teresa! Yes, you can definitely strain it into a new bottle. The oranges do break down over time, so I’d definitely remove them before gifting.
Natalie says
Looks so delicious and warming! Perfect for hosting too!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
For sure! I served this at our New Year's Eve party last year, and it was a hit.
Jori says
I <3 eggnog and this sounds like the perfect thing to make that even more delish! Great idea.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
It's seriously so good! Hope you enjoy it. ?
Sherri says
I've never infused bourbon before, but I will have to try it! This flavor combination of the vanilla bean and orange sounds absolutely magical! 🙂
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
I hope you do! It’s so fun, and I love the unique twist it gives cocktails.
Danielle says
This looks so amazing and perfect for fall! Love the flavor combinations!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Thank you! Fall flavors are the best. ???
Ben Myhre says
Oh, you can doo so much with this beautiful looking bourbon. I think I would try my hand at an old fashioned with this!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
For sure! It’s super delicious as an old fashioned.