With only 40 days until Christmas, it’s definitely time to sharpen your pencil and start that gift list. Gifts from your own kitchen are fun to make and are always a special treat for the recipient. How about ditching the fruitcake plan and trying something a little bit different this year? There are lots of recipes for delicious homemade alcohol based libations that you can easily (and inexpensively) prepare in your own kitchen. All require some “resting” time, (don’t we ALL?) so they need to be prepared sooner rather than later.
Decorative bottles for decanting the liqueurs are quite easy to find these days. Check dollar stores, kitchen shops, the housewares section of department stores, and the larger craft shops often have a good selection. And don’t forget to check your pantry for almost empty bottles of olive oil or vinegars – imported varieties are often packaged in lovely bottles, some with attached stoppers. Decorate the bottle with a sprig of holly and some ribbon or raffia and you have a lovely gift that didn’t cost an arm and a leg. By the way, you don’t have to buy top shelf liquor for making these concoctions. I’ve had good results with less expensive brands. When the instructions call for a large glass container with a lid, dust off that sun-tea jug – works great!
CRANBERRY VODKA
2 cups fresh cranberries
2 cups vodka
Sort cranberries, discarding any that are bruised or soft. Rinse well and pat dry. Place in a clean 1 quart jar and add vodka. Cover mouth of jar tightly with plastic wrap and then seal with a lid. Let stand in a cool dark place for 2 weeks. Strain mixture into a clean glass decanter and attach label. Keeps up to 2 months.
ALMOND FLAVORED LIQUEUR
1 fresh lemon
3 cups granulated sugar
2 cups water
3 cups vodka
3 Tablespoons brandy
2 Tablespoons almond extract
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon chocolate extract
Peel lemon, cutting carefully to avoid the bitter white pith. (Wrap lemon itself and save for another use.) Cut lemon rind into 2 x 1/4-inch strips and place in a medium saucepan. Add sugar and water and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove pan from heat. Remove and discard lemon rind. Cover and chill thoroughly.
Add vodka, brandy, almond, vanilla, and chocolate extracts and stir well. Transfer mixture to an airtight container and let rest in a cool dark place for 2 weeks. Decant into decorative bottles and attach label.
Paula Anderson is a contributing writer to Maine Food & Lifestyle magazine, as well as a columnist for 3 Maine Newspapers with a focus on food, nutrition, and entertaining.
