Kumquat Limoncello Recipes

KUMQUAT-CELLO

Steps:

• Slice the kumquats in half and scrape out as many seeds as possible. Add the kumquats to a 2.5-liter container and cover with the vodka. Cover the container so that it is airtight and place it in the refrigerator. Let steep, refrigerated, for at least 3 weeks and up to 6 weeks before straining.
• When ready to strain, add the sugar and 1/2 cup water to a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring regularly, until the sugar has dissolved. Cool the simple syrup to room temperature.
• Strain the kumquat-cello into a 1.5-liter container. Stir in the simple syrup. Serve over ice or in cocktails as desired.

KUMQUAT-TANGERINE LIQUEUR

Steps:

• Peel strips of zest from lemons and tangerines with a vegetable peeler, avoiding white pith; reserve fruit for another use. Put zest, kumquats, and vodka in a large nonreactive jar; cover and let stand at room temperature 2 to 3 days. Stir in simple syrup to taste. Refrigerate 1 day.
• Strain through a fine-mesh sieve, reserving some fruit for garnish, if desired. Divide among clean jars. Add some soaked fruit or strips of zest, if desired. Refrigerate up to 3 months.

LIMONCELLO

Steps:

• Zest the lemons, and place zest into a large glass bottle or jar. Pour in vodka. Cover loosely and let infuse for one week at room temperature.
• After one week, combine sugar and water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil. Do not stir. Boil for 15 minutes. Allow syrup to cool to room temperature.
• Stir vodka mixture into syrup. Strain into glass bottles, and seal each bottle with a cork. Let mixture age for 2 weeks at room temperature.
• Place bottled liqueur into the freezer. When icy cold, serve in chilled vodka glasses or shot glasses.

MAGGIE'S LETHAL KUMQUAT LIQUEUR

Steps:

• Put the pricked kumquats, sugar and brandy in a jar that can be tightly sealed (should hold at least a litre). Store jar away from sunlight.
• Every day for the next 14 days, turn the jar over and back to distribute the sugar. You don't need to shake the jar.
• After the 14 days are up, keep turning the jar over and back at least once a week until the sugar has completely dissolved.
• When the sugar has dissolved, use tongs or a slotted spoon to gently remove the kumquats. Leave the liqueur to age in the jar.
• Dip these boozy kumquats in melted chocolate for a delicious treat with after-dinner coffee. Store in the freezer.
• Six months later, the liqueur is ready to be bottled and enjoyed. Maggie saves interesting-looking smaller bottles to use for gifts.
• Note: You can bottle the liqueur at three months (to give as a gift), but tell the recipient it is worth waiting the extra three months before tasting. The well-aged liqueur is thicker, sweeter and more syrupy.

KUMQUAT SYLLABUB

Steps:

• In a small pan, combine the sugar, slivered kumquats and 2 tablespoons water. Cook over medium heat until the the kumquat slivers are tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Strain the syrup into the bowl of your mixer. Let cool, then stir in the kumquat zest, moscato and limoncello. Reserve the kumquat slivers (which are now candied from the syrup).
• Turn the mixer to medium speed and slowly pour in the cream. Whip until it holds stiff peaks. Spoon into 4 tumblers, cover and chill. Lay a few kumquat slivers on each.