How long does each type of fruit take to dry out in the oven?

Here's how long it takes for us to dry out these common fruits at 170˚F . Note that every oven is different, so it's best to start checking after 2 hours. Flip the citrus halfway through if needed. If your oven only goes down to 200˚F, these times will be 1-2 hours shorter. Rosemary (or other herbs): 1-2 hours (more delicate herbs may be shorter) Oranges (any variety): 4-6 hours Lemons and limes: 3-4 hours Cranberries: 3-4 hours Pineapple slices: 6-8 hours Jalapeño halves: 6-8 hours (shorter if you slice into rounds) Apples: 3-4 hours Grapefruit: 5-7 hours

How do you know when dried fruit is done?

It should be dry to the touch on both sides. The fruit may still feel a little pliable right when you remove it from the oven, but will harden up as it cools.

How long do these jars need to infuse?

When you give these as a gift, the user can add alcohol to the kit and infuse anywhere from 1-5 days before straining and enjoying. The longer it sits, the stronger the flavor.

DIY Cocktail Kits

Description

These DIY Cocktail Infusion Kits are the perfect easy homemade holiday gift! They're also super affordable and easy to customize with different add-ins and liquors.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Spiced Orange Bourbon Kit:

5-6 navel or cara cara orange slices, sliced into 1/8-inch rounds
3 1-inch pieces crystallized (candied) ginger
1 cinnamon stick
2-3 whole cloves
1 cardamom pod (optional)
1 star anise pod (optional)

Pineapple Jalapeño Tequila Kit:

6 pineapple slices, cut into 1/8-inch rounds (or use store-bought dried pineapple)
1 small jalapeño, halved lengthwise (remove seeds for less spicy option)
4 lime slices, cut into 1/8-inch rounds
1 tablespoon sugar (we used turbinado) or 3 small sugar cubes

Cranberry Citrus Vodka:

1/2 cup fresh cranberries, halved
4-5 slices blood orange, cut into 1/8-inch rounds
4-5 slices tangerine, cut into 1/8-inch rounds
1 sprig dried rosemary
1 tablespoon sugar (we used turbinado) or 3 small sugar cubes

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat oven to the lowest temperature* – we did 170˚F (75˚C). Line 2-3 baking sheets with parchment paper.
Prepare all of the fruit. We recommend drying out extra than what's listed above so you have back ups in case anything burns. Make sure to slice everything to the same thickness (about 1/8-inch), otherwise they will not dry at an even rate. Place all of the fruit on the sheet pans, grouping it by type (some fruits will take longer than others).
Place in the oven. The rosemary will take 1-2 hours, the limes and cranberries will take 3-4 hours, the oranges will take 4-6 hours, and the pineapples and jalapeño will take 6-8 hours**. The fruits are done when they are completely dry to the touch on both sides. They may still be slightly pliable when you remove from the oven, but will harden as they cool.
Assemble the jars! Simply add all ingredients to a glass mason jar, screw on the lid and add a label. Write on the label, instructing the user to fill the jar with the alcohol of their choice and infuse for 1-3 days before straining.

Notes

*If your oven only goes down to 200˚F, subtract 1-2 hours from the times listed in the instructions. Make sure to check them often, as there is a chance they will burn. Flip them every 30-60 minutes to prevent burning.

**Note that every oven is different, and these times may be shorter or longer than listed based on your oven. We recommend that you start to check each ingredient early and often to prevent burning. If needed, flip the fruit every hour or so to prevent burning.

Shelf life: These DIY cocktail kits will last for 1 year in a cool, dark place. If stored in 80˚F, they will last 6 months.

Find more flavor combination ideas in the blog post above!

Equipment used is listed in the "equipment" section of this blog post.

Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It may vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours
Category: Cocktails
Method: Oven
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 jar (without alcohol)
Calories: 117
Sugar: 24.5 g
Sodium: 1.5 mg
Fat: 0.2 g
Carbohydrates: 30.2 g
Fiber: 3.1 g
Protein: 1.3 g