Description
Alcohol-soluble terpenes and phenolics migrate from botanicals into neutral spirits through passive diffusion.
Technical
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).
Culinary Significance
Creates complex herbal spirits where the base alcohol acts as both solvent and preservative, capturing volatile aromatics that would otherwise degrade.
Science
Primary Reaction
Solubilization of hydrophobic compounds
Parameters
Temperature
20°C optimal
15°C to 25°C range
Time
7-10 days
48 hours – 21 days
Equipment
Glass fermentation vesselStainless steel mesh filtersAirtight bungs