Homemade Cinnamon Whiskey

Spice up your liquor cabinet with this simple and delicious homemade cinnamon whiskey recipe. Enjoy sipping on it on a cold night or mix into your favorite cocktails!

about this cinnamon whiskey

Homemade cinnamon whiskey is one of my favorite fall time projects to make on a weekend.

I’m sure you might be familiar with the store bought cinnamon whiskey options that are out there. They tend to have an artificial taste and syrupy sweetness were overwhelming. It was like drinking liquid candy with a burn.

The idea of cinnamon whiskey is so good that it inspired me to simply make my own. I knew there was a way to capture that warm, spicy cinnamon flavor without drowning out the whiskey or turning it into a sugar bomb.

This homemade version is a whole different animal from the commercial options because of its natural cinnamon flavoring. It’s got a real cinnamon kick that complements the whiskey instead of overwhelming it. Plus, you can control the sweetness and the heat, so it doesn’t feel like you’re drinking dessert.

It’s surprisingly easy to make. You don’t need any fancy equipment or hard-to-find ingredients. Just some good whiskey, a few cinnamon sticks, honey, a dried red chile pepper, and a little patience.

ingredients

whiskey. Use your favorite whiskey for this recipe. While we enjoy bourbon the most, you can also use a rye whiskey or even an Irish whiskey. You could use Makers Mark, Jack Daniels, or whatever brand you prefer.

cinnamon sticks. The cinnamon sticks are what give this whiskey the cinnamon-y flavor.

honey. A touch of honey sweetens the whiskey just a touch to help balance out the heat and warming spices. You can also use maple syrup or simple syrup instead.

pepper. Use a whole dried red chile pepper to give this whiskey a touch of heat. While this is an optional ingredient, it really brings the best flavor to the infusion so don’t skip it unless you have an allergy.

this recipe’s must-haves

All you need for this recipe is a mason jar with a tight fitting lid (or another airtight glass container)!

You will also need a fine mesh sieve to strain out the infusion ingredients.

here’s how to make homemade cinnamon whiskey

infuse

Add whiskey to a container with a lid, like a mason jar. Add cinnamon sticks, honey, and dried red chile pepper, making sure they are submerged in the whiskey.

Cover the jar and shake. Let it stand for up to 5 days. Be sure to shake the container daily as it infuses. Taste the liquid each day to test the flavor.

strain

When it reaches your ideal flavor, strain it and add it to a clean jar with a lid.

tips and tricks

use 80 proof or higher. To make this cinnamon flavor whiskey, make sure that you are using shelf stable 80 proof alcohol or higher. If it is less, then the infused whiskey will need to be stored in the fridge or freezer.

use a whiskey you love. Be sure to use a whiskey that you like to enjoy! Don’t go for a bottom shelf option – mid-range is best, but you can also splurge to use top shelf.

variations

add in more whole spices. This recipe keeps things simple, but if you want to add more whole spices, you can add in a few whole cloves and a couple allspice berries.

use a little citrus. Do you like orange? Add in a piece of orange peel for the infusion.

make it even spicier! If you want your whiskey hotter, you can add in another dried chile pepper. Just make sure to check it as it infuses – you don’t want to reach the point of no return on the spice level! Of course, if this does happen, you can always dilute the infusion by adding more of the same whiskey you used to tone things down.

make it sweeter. Use more of natural sweetener to make this whiskey more on the sweeter side, if you want.

More cinnamon-inspired cocktail recipes to sip on: Spiced Apple Cider Moscow Mule | Apple Pie Infused Whiskey | Apple Pie Old Fashioned | Apple Pie Sparkling Sangria

how do you drink cinnamon whiskey?

There are so many ways to drink cinnamon whiskey, but we really enjoy it on the rocks with a cinnamon stick to garnish the glass. You can even enjoy it in your favorite whiskey cocktail! For more ideas, scroll down!

is there a cinnamon bourbon?

This recipe is technically a cinnamon bourbon! We like to use bourbon whiskey instead of rye whiskey for this infusion. You can really use any whiskey that is your favorite to make this recipe!

what is cinnamon whiskey good with?

Cinnamon whiskey can be enjoyed straight, on the rocks, or in your favorite cocktails. There are many people who simply mix it with Coke or add it to their mug of black tea. See below for a complete list of ideas to use it!

Need some inspiration for cocktail hour? Check out my cocktail recipes page!

how to use cinnamon whiskey

You can use this cinnamon whiskey (aka homemade Fireball, but so much better!) as a sipper or you can enjoy it in a variety of different cocktails. From mixing it into a classic old fashioned for a cinnamon old fashioned to making a custom cocktail, the options are endless for this cinnamon-flavored infusion.

Here are some simple ideas to try out:

• Mix it with apple cider (hot or cold!).
• Add it to black tea or coffee for a comforting spiced mug.
• Use it in a hot toddy.
• Mix it with soda like Dr. Pepper, Cream Soda, or Coke.
• Use it instead of vodka in a Moscow mule.

how to store

Store. After infusing and straining out the cinnamon sticks and chile pepper, store in an airtight container or glass jar for up to 2 to 3 months.

more easy fall-themed cocktails to try

A cranberry orange moscow mule is festive and bubbly, making it an easy choice for your fall gatherings!

Cozy up to a bourbon pumpkin smash with a homemade pumpkin spice simple syrup and bourbon.

Finally, if you make this homemade cinnamon whiskey recipe, please be sure to give this recipe a star recipe rating on the recipe card and/or leave a comment! I love to hear when you all make recipes, and I do take the time to respond to every single comment.

Feel free to drop questions below too, if you have them!

Oh and be sure to tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest if you make the recipe! I love being able to see these recipes come to life in your homes – it’s my favorite thing to look through those photos. It really means the world to me!

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