What You Need to Know
Ethanol disrupts plant cell membranes, facilitating dissolution of non-polar compounds like limonene and carvone. The process follows Fick's law of diffusion, with rate dependent on surface area, temperature, and ethanol concentration (typically 40-50% ABV).
Creates complex herbal spirits where the base alcohol acts as both solvent and preservative, capturing volatile aromatics that would otherwise degrade.
Key Parameters
Temperature
20°C
15°C - 25°C
Time
7-10 days
48 hours - 21 days
Equipment
Glass fermentation vesselStainless steel mesh filtersAirtight bungsHydrometer
Steps
- 1.
Linie Aquavit (Norway): Develops signature caraway-forward profile through cask aging after initial infusion
- 2.
Brennivín (Iceland): Uses angelica root infusion to counterbalance harshness of potato-based spirit
The Science
Primary Reaction
Solubilization of hydrophobic compounds