When the citrus has infused after a few weeks, make a simple syrup to finish off the liqueur or use the citrus infused liquor over ice and add sparkling water, lemon-lime soda or club soda for a refreshing citrusy beverage. Add a little to your herbal tea for a nightcap or add to a pool-side slushy.
These make great gifts for the cocktail lovers in your life. Just pour into decorative bottles, add a label with instructions for use and decorate as desired.
Citrus is actually a winter fruit, so if you want to use blood orange, Meyer Lemons or Key limes they will be at their peak during the late fall to winter months. Citrus is available year round, but not certain varieties that tend only to be available at peak harvest. You should start seeing a lot more varieties around November which is still time to make your own infused liquor or liqueur for gifting. If you can't wait their are several varieties available at any time.
What you Need:
Quart Mason Jar with lid (clean and sterilized)
Fine mesh Sieve
Cheese Cloth, Coffee Filter or Muslin
Wooden Spoon
Jar Funnel (optional but handy)
Labels
If Gifting: Decorative bottles, Decorative labels, ribbon, raffia, burlap or lace.
Ingredients:
1 med to large Lemon (Meyer is the preferred lemon)
4 Limes ( Key Limes are the preferred Lime)
1 med to large Tangelo (or Blood Orange)
3 Tangerines (Lil' Sweethearts or your favorite tangerines)
1 Bottle Vodka (or liquor of your choice)
Directions:
Prepare the Citrus: Cut the citrus in quarters or rounds. Remove the white divider and seeds. Layer in the quart jar. I layered by variety, but you can mix them up if desired. Pour liquor over the citrus. Use a thin blade knife on the inside edge of the jar to remove air bubbles. Top off with liquor to within 1/2 " of the rim, covering the citrus.
Secure the lid and tip the jar back and forth a few times to distribute the liquor through all the citrus. Label, with date, ingredients and quantity so you can remake if desired.
Set aside in a cool dark pantry or cupboard, tipping the jar daily to distribute the liquor evenly through the citrus. Set aside at least a month. Strain, in a fine sieve lined with cheese cloth, coffee filter or muslin. Use the wooden spoon to lightly press against the citrus to extract the juices and liquor that's been absorbed. (Reserve the infused citrus, see tip below) Bottle or pour into clean, sterilized jar, cap and use or allow the liquor to age longer if desired.
How to Use: Use this in place of other citrus based liquor. or make a citrus liqueur now that you have the base (see recipe below). This can be added to punch or liquor beverages, or mix with a lemon lime soda or club soda with ice. The citrus infused liquor can be added to baked goods in place of citrus juice if desired or in any recipe calling for citrus, use in the same proportion or adjust to taste. Make a LeLimOade, in place of lemonade or limeade for an adult summer refreshment.
Tip: If you want all lemon, all tangerine or all lime or tangelo, just prepare as above using just one or two of your choice citrus.
Tip: The infused citrus fruit can be added to beverages that you would normally add citrus slices or wedges to, such as a sangria, if desired. Or freeze, to use at a later date. You can remove the peels and blend the fruit in your food processor or blender to use in smoothies or freeze in ice cube trays to use in adult punch. Or freeze in ice rings to add to punch. Use the reserved peels to garnish cocktails. Try using some of the pureed citrus in your lemon bars or lemon cakes. Or try my Orange Dreamsicle cake recipe. Add a little to your herbal tisane in winter for a boost of vitamin C to enhance the tea and help ward off cold or flu symptoms.
Special Tip: Reserve the removed seeds from the citrus to grow your own indoor plants. (Stay tuned for instructions.)
Refer to the link to make your own Citrus Liqueur:
justfowlingaround.weebly.com/sweets-treats-and-drinks/lelimocellocitrus-liquorliqueur
Refer to the link to make Orange Dreamsicle Cake:
justfowlingaround.weebly.com/sweets-treats-and-drinks/orange-dreamsicle-skillet-cake
Refer to the link to make Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur:
justfowlingaround.weebly.com/sweets-treats-and-drinks/cold-brew-coffee-liqueur
Refer to the link to make Banana Infused Liquor:
justfowlingaround.weebly.com/sweets-treats-and-drinks/banana-infused-spirits
Refer to the link to make Liquor infused Fruit:
justfowlingaround.weebly.com/sweets-treats-and-drinks/liquor-infused-fruit
Refer to the link to make Fresh Squeezed Lemonade:
justfowlingaround.weebly.com/sweets-treats-and-drinks/fresh-squeezed-lemonade
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