Whilst out shopping yesterday, I spotted some gorgeous English strawberries (well, I smelt them long before I spotted them!) and promptly decided to make some strawberry liqueur. When I was at university I made strawberry liqueur a couple of times and I have very fond memories of its luscious red colour, intense strawberry scent and flavour; and the mellow caramel after-taste... The picture above was taken a few minutes after pouring in the brandy - the brandy has started to turn slightly red already!
I use brandy to make this liqueur as I like the extra caramel flavour it adds. Vodka would give a very clean tasting liqueur, more suitable for cocktails. I can't quite imagine how it would taste with rum. You could also add in other berries as they come in season - adding a punnet or two of raspberries would be very nice, as would be cherries.
This is a ludicrously easy recipe. The only slightly out of the ordinary thing you will need is a huge jar. I have a rumtopf jar which I bought at a rather eclectic stationery shop in Glasgow. I have no idea where I would find one to replace it if it ever broke! I'm not terribly sure of the capacity either.... Other than the jar, you mainly just need patience. It will take at least three months for the magic to happen. I'll update when I decant the liqueur.
Strawberry Liqueur
2 or 3 large punnets of ripe, juicy strawberries - hulled [feel free to add in more if you have a glut of strawberries]
1 kg granulated sugar
1L of brandy, rum or vodka
large jar with tightly fitting lid
Thoroughly clean and sterilise your jar.
Place approximately 1/4 of the sugar in the jar, shaking so that it covers evenly. Add approximately 1/3 of the strawberries, pushing them down firmly. Continue layering, you should end on a layer of sugar.
Pour over the spirit, cover tightly, and leave in a dark place for three months (or more, if you have boundless patience). Shake gently occasionally - all of the sugar will dissolve eventually, so don't panic if it remains undissolved for a few weeks.
Decant into a dark sterile bottle (hang onto the bottle the spirit came in - you'll need another one too).
You can use the liqueur in cocktails, in desserts, or just straight. Its very smooth and drinkable. I never bothered to work out how the sugar affected the overall percentage, so be careful how much you drink as it's rather strong!
The strawberries can be used in trifles or eaten with some whipped cream. Make sure that noone is driving though!!! They will look rather odd, but taste fantastic.
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Hi Angela! This looks fantastic! I know exactly what you mean by smelling the strawberries before you see them - they have been so lush and ripe here too. Now I know what I am going to do with that bottle of rum that has been sitting, untouched, in our liquor cabinet. :-D
Love the jar you used - it's perfectly whimiscal.
Cheers!
1. Posted by Prim on November 19, 2007
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I have quite a few strawberries that I am trying to use... and this looks great with vodka!
Now I just need to get myself a big jar...
Great idea. Thanks!
2. Posted by Irene on November 19, 2007
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Hi Prim! Hope you have fun making it. You shouldn't have any trouble finding a decent jar since you're in Germany :) Do let me know how it tastes with a rum base!
Hi Irene! I'd guess-timate the jar capacity as being 4 - 4.5L. You could always divide it between two 2L kilner/preserving jars - those are the largest I've found in the UK. Or, as a last resort you could halve the berries to save on volume. Have fun making it!
3. Posted by Angela on November 19, 2007
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This looks wonderful but please forgive me. What does "punnet" mean and what does "hulled" mean?
4. Posted by lindenen on November 19, 2007
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Hi Lindsey - a punnet of strawberries refers to the approx 400g sized box that they tend to come in at this time of year. Hulled, simply means that the stalk and green leaves have been either sliced off or cut out of the berries. Enjoy!
5. Posted by Angela on November 19, 2007
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*hic*
6. Posted by mdmafia on November 19, 2007
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chulmleigh hardware do a 2 and 3 litre clip top jar which is ideal for this type of thing
7. Posted by CLACKY on November 19, 2007