Homemade Fruit Liquers Recipes

HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE FRUIT LIQUEUR

Steps:

• Start with clean fruit. Depending on what fruit you are using, hull the berries, pit the stone fruit, or trim rough ends from the rhubarb. Do not peel stone fruit, much flavor and color comes from the skins.
• Chop the fruit into bite sized pieces and add to a saucepan, along with the sugar. Add 1/4 cup water, and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. If your fruit is dry you may need to add a bit more water. Cook for about 5 minutes, just enough to soften the fruit.
• Puree the fruit using an immersion blender, a regular blender, or food processor.
• Add the fruit puree to the vodka and give it a stir. Let sit on the counter, covered, for 24 hours.
• Strain through a nut bag, or several layers of cheesecloth, squeezing to get all the liquid out. Discard the solids.
• Keep the liqueur in the refrigerator until needed. Note: these liqueurs need to be refrigerated because of the fresh fruit component, and should be consumed within 2 weeks.

HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE LIQUORS

Steps:

• Sterilize your jars & allow to cool
• Fill with your fruit to the neck of the jar
• Add sugar
• Pour in your vodka- to the neck of the jar
• Put on lid making sure your seal is tight.
• Add a strip of tape & write the date on it
• Store on the counter - does not have to be a particularly sunny or dark place
• Flip every day for 3 months - once the fruit shrinks & is floating in the liquid it's okay to just give it a good shake everyday
• When the 3 months is up- strain out the fruit pieces through a colander
• To make the brandy more clear- strain again though a coffee filter.
• Transfer to air tight decorative bottles if giving as a gift.

HOMEMADE RASPBERRY LIQUEUR

Steps:

• Pour raspberries into a large jar and cover with sugar. Pour vodka over all and close with lid.
• Shake several times the first day until all of the sugar has dissolved.
• Store in a cool, dark place for a minimum of one month (I recommend 6 weeks, longer is fine too). Shake every day or two.
• When the liqueur is ready to be bottled, line a strainer with a couple of layers of cheesecloth, preferably butter muslin and place it over a large pot or bowl. Pour the liquor over the cheesecloth slowly letting the liquid drain while the strainer catches the solids. Repeat if necessary.
• When ready, store in bottles. I like to keep one in the fridge for an icy after dinner drink!

HOMEMADE RASPBERRY LIQUEUR

Steps:

• Split the bottle of vodka evenly between the two mason jars.
• Add one bag of frozen raspberries to each jar.
• Add 1 cup of sugar to each jar.
• Put the lid on the jar and store in a cool dark place for at least a week to a couple of months, giving it a shake every once in a while. The longer you leave it, the better it will be.

RASPBERRY LIQUEUR

Steps:

• Macerate the raspberries: In a large nonreactive bowl, mash the raspberries and sugar together. I like to use a potato masher for this, but a large fork will also get the job done. Let the mixture sit on the counter for an hour loosely covered with a tea towel. The sugar will dissolve.
• Add the remaining ingredients: Stir in the vodka and carefully transfer the mixture into an airtight container that can be shaken, like a large, lidded mason jar or screw-top liquor bottle. If using, cut the vanilla bean pod in half lengthwise, and add it to the mixture. Seal the jar tightly and store it in a cool, dark place. Steep the raspberry mixture: Every two to three days, gently shake the jar to stir the mixture, which should steep for a total of four weeks.
• Strain the liqueur: After four weeks, strain the mixture. Set a fine mesh strainer lined with several layers of cheesecloth or use a nut milk bag set over a non-reactive bowl or large measuring cup. Pour the mixture through the cheese cloth or milk bag. You may need to strain it more than once, until the liqueur is clear and free of any seeds or pulp. Pour the strained liqueur into a clean airtight container, like a glass swing top bottle or mason jar.
• Serve or store the liqueur: It can be served straight away to mix in cocktails or with club soda. You can also store it in a cool, dark place for up to two weeks. It will become mellower, especially if you used a high-proof vodka.

HOMEMADE FRUIT LIQUERS

Steps:

• Rinse the fruit or berries, Fruit must be cut into small pieces.
• Place berries or fruit in a container, add vodka.
• Cap and store in a cool, dark place, stir once a week for 2 - 4 weeks.
• Strain through metal colander. Transfer the unsweetened liqueur to an aging container (glass bottle or container with tight cap). To 3 cups (710) ml unsweetened liqueur add 1 1/4 cup (300 ml) granulated sugar. Let age for at least three months.
• Pour carefully the clear liqueur to a new bottle. Add more sugar if necessary.
• The flavor of almost all liqueurs improves during storage. Fruit and berry liqueurs should be stored for at least 6 months for maximum taste. Some lemon liqueurs (e.g. Limoncello) should not be stored for a long time.