Liqueurs can savor of virtually any flavor; fruit, spice, chocolate, bean or nut. The principle behind a liqueur is the combination of a grain alcohol, usually a clear and less flavorful liquor such as vodka; a flavoring, such as cranberries; and a sugar-based syrup. A liqueur is meant to act as a dessert, it should be very sweet and palatable. The sugar acts both in making it "sippable," and in reducing the alcohol. Cranberry liqueur is a great addition to any holiday (or year round) meal. Begin in the last week of November to have ready by Christmas.
Instructions
1. Chop 16 oz of washed cranberries, either by hand or in a food processor. Set aside and peel (in strips or pieces) ½ lemon and ½ orange. Place the crushed fruit and citrus peels in the bottom of the jar you will be keeping the liqueur in (a carafe or bottle that can be closed).
2. Pour in 1½ cups of 80 proof vodka. Seal the jar, and keep at room temperature for about 2 weeks. Keeping in a pantry or closet works well. Throughout the two weeks, periodically shake the jar to loosen up the fruit from the bottom to ensure that no air pockets form so that the vodka absorbs the full amount of fruit flavor.
3. Strain the fruity vodka after 2 weeks through a sieve or cheesecloth. Discard the berries and peel, and return the alcohol to the jar or bottle.
4. Make the sugar syrup. The syrup is merely a combination of water and sugar; 2 parts sugar to every 1 part water. In a small saucepan, dissolve 1 cup of sugar with ½ cup of water. Allow to cool. You will need to add the sugar syrup to the fruity vodka in order to neutralize some of the alcohol and reduce the proof. If you do not add the sugar, you will not create a liqueur, but rather an eu de vivre, which is essentially just flavored grain alcohol at a high proof.
5. Add the syrup to the jar and stir well. Secure the lid and give it a shake. Allow to sit (try the closet or pantry again) for another 2 weeks.
6. Strain again using either the sieve or cheesecloth (this step is not absolutely necessary, however it will ensure that nothing was missed during the first straining. You want a completely smooth liqueur, chunky aperitifs are never appetizing.
7. Poor into aperitif glasses (very small wine glasses) or into shot glasses. Serve before dinner, or after dinner with (or as) the dessert.
Tags: ensure that, fruity vodka, grain alcohol, sieve cheesecloth, sugar syrup
