Fresh cranberries are not available all year long.
How do I know that? Because the first year I made this, I went to make another batch mid-January and there wasn't a fresh cranberry to be had... anywhere. I checked 4-5 grocery stores *and* asked the produce managers. The best they could suggest was to check the freezer section.
And that, my fellow imbibers, is why *now* is the time to act if you'd like to make this delicious liqueur.
I've made it as gifts in years past ~ just fill a half pint canning jar as if it were moonshine ~ or any decorative bottle. I also like to keep a bottle (bigger than a half pint!) around for myself. The photo is the last of last year's batch, so it's beautiful cranberry color has faded, but when it's fresh, it's a very pretty, bright color.
Ingredients:
4.5 cups vodka
1.5 cups triple sec*
3 cups sugar
2 bags fresh cranberries, coarsely chopped
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a large jar and let sit a room temperature for 3-4 weeks, shaking the jar every 4 or 5 days. Strain and pour into bottles. Makes about 6 cups.
*I'd seen recipes for this that included orange slices, as well as ones that didn't. I thought a bit of orange sounded good, but the first time I made it I didn't have any handy. I did, however, have some triple sec in the cupboard, and... as I recall, I was short of vodka, too (yes, I always plan so well ahead ;-P). So I was mixing and matching and as I was very happy with the result, I rewrote the recipe to suit myself!
3 comments:
Once when I was making a batch, I had enough vodka but was a bit short on the cranberries. Since I like the cranberry sauce recipe on the bag using a whole orange, peel and all, I substituted that for some of the cranberries. It gave the liquer a bit of a bitter taste - nice, almost like Campari.
New Year's Eve, and I just discovered a new favorite drink. Pour a splash of cranberry liquer into a flute glass, and fill with champagne. Cheers!
Now that sounds great, Sadge! A little 'fortified' wine ;-)
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