Booze is theBest Gift
November 23, 2010 9:20 PM Subscribe
Please share your favorite recipes for cordials
I am thinking about making some homemade amaretto for a friend as a Christmas gift. I am open to other recipes, and might even make a few other recipes/infusions for fun anyway.
I am concerned about the apricot kernels called for in the recipe, however. If I leave out the kernels, how much will this affect the final taste? I might want to get her a bit tipsy, but not sick with cyanide poisoning.
Making a version of Frangelico would be good, and I have seen plenty of recipes for coffee liqueur.
She prefers sweet drinks, so I am looking for that, but I prefer savory or salty myself. I know Not Martha has posted her gin recipe experiments.
Links to awesome websites would be great, too.
I am concerned about the apricot kernels called for in the recipe, however. If I leave out the kernels, how much will this affect the final taste? I might want to get her a bit tipsy, but not sick with cyanide poisoning.
Making a version of Frangelico would be good, and I have seen plenty of recipes for coffee liqueur.
She prefers sweet drinks, so I am looking for that, but I prefer savory or salty myself. I know Not Martha has posted her gin recipe experiments.
Links to awesome websites would be great, too.
I don't drink so I can't vouch for the taste of this, but a friend seems to enjoy limoncello made with homemade vodka and this recipe.
posted by Ahab at 1:07 AM on November 24, 2010
posted by Ahab at 1:07 AM on November 24, 2010
Best answer: About the kernels - I can see why you'd be concerned, but apparently they're safe once roasted. Trader Joe's used to sell 8oz bags of apricot kernels for about $2, which I ate and didn't even have the sense to be worried. On the other hand, it seems like a lot of effort: I don't recall seeing those at TJ's recently, and I have no idea where else I'd find them. You could probably substitute more almonds or other nuts for the apricot kernels if you wanted and it wouldn't make a huge flavor difference.
posted by aimedwander at 7:20 AM on November 24, 2010
posted by aimedwander at 7:20 AM on November 24, 2010
I've been making a few cordials recently... some have been good, some have been too sweet, some have just been gross. So far, my two favorites are Blackberry & Strawberry.
Strawberry Cordial from the homedistiller.com wiki:
1-2qts frozen strawberries
white granulated sugar
bottle of clear brandy or vodka
lemon juice
Put frozen strawberries in a large mason jar. Fill the jar. Fill the jar the rest of the way up to the top with 120-150proof clear brandy. Set jar on a window sill for about a week(shaking it a couple times a day). Strain out liquid into another jar or bottle. Add enough sugar to the strawberries to completely cover them. Let the jar sit on the window sill (giving it a shake now and then)until most of the sugar appears to be gone, and there is alot of syrup in the jar. Pour the syrup into a seperate jar and add more sugar to the strawberries. Repeat this step until there is no more juices being released from the berries. Add about 1-2 tablespoons of lemon juice to the alcohol, then add the strawberry syrup until the desired taste is reached, water to 80 proof and strain until no strawberry particles are seen. The lemon juice will help preserve the red color, and the flavor of the strawberries. Without the lemon juice, the finished product will have a chalky aftertaste (quite unpleasent). Any leftover syrup and/or berries is Excelent on ice cream and/or cheesecake.
Blackberry Cordial
I got it from here: http://www.guntheranderson.com/liqueurs/blackbe3.htm
posted by toddst at 11:06 AM on November 24, 2010
Strawberry Cordial from the homedistiller.com wiki:
1-2qts frozen strawberries
white granulated sugar
bottle of clear brandy or vodka
lemon juice
Put frozen strawberries in a large mason jar. Fill the jar. Fill the jar the rest of the way up to the top with 120-150proof clear brandy. Set jar on a window sill for about a week(shaking it a couple times a day). Strain out liquid into another jar or bottle. Add enough sugar to the strawberries to completely cover them. Let the jar sit on the window sill (giving it a shake now and then)until most of the sugar appears to be gone, and there is alot of syrup in the jar. Pour the syrup into a seperate jar and add more sugar to the strawberries. Repeat this step until there is no more juices being released from the berries. Add about 1-2 tablespoons of lemon juice to the alcohol, then add the strawberry syrup until the desired taste is reached, water to 80 proof and strain until no strawberry particles are seen. The lemon juice will help preserve the red color, and the flavor of the strawberries. Without the lemon juice, the finished product will have a chalky aftertaste (quite unpleasent). Any leftover syrup and/or berries is Excelent on ice cream and/or cheesecake.
Blackberry Cordial
I got it from here: http://www.guntheranderson.com/liqueurs/blackbe3.htm
posted by toddst at 11:06 AM on November 24, 2010
Response by poster: Thanks so much for the information and recipes, everyone!
posted by annsunny at 5:35 PM on November 24, 2010
posted by annsunny at 5:35 PM on November 24, 2010
Response by poster: As a follow-up, I remembered a place where I had seen some intriguing recipes. Here are a few: Earl Grey cordial, honeydew cordial (may be best for the right growing season), and I am thinking of adapting the flavors in this marmalade to try.
posted by annsunny at 4:04 PM on November 27, 2010
posted by annsunny at 4:04 PM on November 27, 2010
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posted by JABof72 at 9:40 PM on November 23, 2010