I bake so much throughout the year that at Christmas time I like to ply my friends with some homemade alcohol.
Liqueurs are so easy to make and are a very festive gift to give.
I love that you can make liqueurs well ahead of time. Always a bonus when you are juggling all sorts of holiday stuff at once.
This year I gave the Cranberry Orange Vodka (wonderful and so happy looking). Last year was Pineapple Vanilla Bean Rum (oh rum yum).
Make these and think of me thinking of you.
Cheers! <—– You are not seeing double. There will be the usual Cheers at the end of the post. :)
:) :) <——- You are seeing double because I am sampling the liqueurs as I type this post.
:) :)
Cranberry Orange Vodka
Cranberry Orange Vodka <—-Okay, I will stop. :) :) :)
Really.
Ingredients:
1 cup fresh cranberries
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons water
1 piece fresh orange peel (2-by-1-inch)
3 cups vodka
Directions:
1. In a small saucepan, heat cranberries, sugar, and water until the sugar dissolves, the liquid begins to turn a light-pink color, and the cranberries just begin to pop.
2. Pour the cranberries and the liquid into a large glass jar; stir in peel and vodka. Cover, and let stand at room temperature at least 3 days or up to one month.
3. Strain before serving.
I make a label with the liqueur name on one side. On the back I write “Cheers” and suggest using the cranberry orange vodka in Cosmos or to sip straight up.
Makes 4 cups (Note: I made 18 (250ml) bottles, so increased the ingredients by 5)
Recipe from Martha Stewart Living Magazine
Pineapple and Vanilla Bean Rum
Ingredients:
2 cups pineapple, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 vanilla bean, cut in half lengthwise, seeds scraped and reserved
3 cups white rum
Directions:
1. In a large glass jar, combine the pineapple and vanilla bean and seeds. Stir in white rum.
2. Cover and let steep at room temperature at least 3 days or up to one month.
3. Strain before serving.
Make a label with the liqueur name and suggest using it in Piña Coladas or mixed with cola.
Makes 5 cups
Recipe from Martha Stewart Living Holiday Magazine 2009
I have ordered my bottles from Specialty Bottles for years and am always pleased with the quality and selection.
I suppose if you drink all of your liqueur in one sitting you might be singing this song.
The Texas Sapphires- How Did I Get So Sloppy Drunk (When I Was Drinkin' Neat)
I make liqueurs for my friends every December. My friends that get me through every hard day and are there to toast the easy days. XXOO. I LOVE my friends. (I love my imaginary friends, too. It is just harder to get the liqueur to you all.)
LCD Soundsystem-All My Friends
Check out The Texas Sapphires on Myspace and buy their music here.
LCD Soundsystem is here and so is their music store.
Cheers!
Cheers! <—–Twice as nice, right? :) :)
