Thursday, March 06, 2014

REVIEW: Homemade Liqueurs and Infused Spirits

Homemade Liqueurs and Infused Spirits

by Andrew Schloss

Paperback: 272 Pages

Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC (November 19, 2013)


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Home brewing and wine making has really taken off over the past few years, but not only are the start-up costs expensive, the time involved is extensive.  Enter homemade liqueurs... the fastest, easiest and most versatile of libations you can make at home.
 
Before we go any further, and in case I'm not the only one who was wondering what the difference between liqueurs and liquors is, "Liqueurs are liquors flavored with sugar and aromatics such as herbs, spices, nuts, flowers, fruits, seeds, vegetables and roots."  Author Andrew Schloss goes over this in more detail in the book, as well as the role of sugar and how to make several types of simple syrups.  Andrew also covers the equipment you will need, which really is just some simple kitchen gadgets. 
 
Homemade Liqueurs and Infused Spirits provides over 150 recipes for both liqueurs and unsweetened infused spirits.  Included are homemade versions of 21 name brands such as Chambord, Bailey's, Limoncello, St. Germain, Kahlua and Cointreau. 
 
In addition to the liqueur and spirit recipes, you'll also find 80 cocktail recipes using your new creations.  Homemade Liqueurs and Infused Spirits is a catch-all for creating fabulous cocktails that you and your friends will love for years to come! 
 
Grab yourself a copy of Homemade Liqueurs and Infused Spirits and you'll soon be enjoying an adult beverage made with your very own liqueurs.  They are fun, easy and safe to create -- and make great gifts!  You will quickly become known for your creative liqueurs among your circle of friends. 
 
Thanks to the great folks at Storey Publishing, I was given permission to share a couple of recipes with you...
 
In Praise of Fraise
Source: Homemade Liqueurs and Infused Spirits by Andrew Schloss
 
You Need:
  • 2 pints strawberries, hulled and sliced, or 1.5 pounds frozen strawberries, thawed
  • 1.5 cups Simple Syrup (see page 24 of book)
  • 1 fifth (750ml) vodka (80-100 proof)
Steps:
  1. Muddle the strawberries and simple syrup with a wooden spoon in a half-gallon jar. Stir in the vodka.
  2. Seal the jar and put it in a cool, dark cabinet until the liquid smells and tastes strongly of strawberries, about 7 days.
  3. Strain the mixture with a mesh strainer into a clean quart jar. Do not push on the solids to extract more liquid.
  4. Seal and store in a cool, dark cabinet. Use within 1 year.
Chocolate Coconut
Source: Homemade Liqueurs and Infused Spirits by Andrew Schloss
 
You Need:
  • 1 fifth (750ml) light rum (80 proof)
  • 3 cups lightly packed sweetened flaked coconut
  • 1.5 cups (7.5 ounces) cacao nibs
  • 1/2 vanilla bean (Madagascar or Bourbon), split
  • 1 cup Simple Syrup (see page 24 of book)
Steps:
  1. Combine the rum, coconut, cacao nibs and vanilla in a half-gallon jar. Stir to moisten everything.
  2. Seal the jar and put it in a cool, dark cabinet until the liquid smells and tastes strongly of coconut and chocolate, 7 to 10 days.
  3. Strain the mixture with a mesh strainer into a clean quart jar. Do not push on the solids to extract more liquid.
  4. Stir in the simple syrup.
  5. Seal and store in a cool, dark cabinet.  Use within 1 year. 
Disclaimer: Storey Publishing, LLC sent a complimentary copy of Homemade Liqueurs and Infused Spirits to Lapdog Creations for review purposes. I was not compensated for this review. All opinions expressed in the review are my own. 

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oooooo, yum. I could really get into that!

Sue said...

Sounds like way too much work for me. I like to just pop a cork or twist a cap

tubby3pug said...

those sound pretty tasty

retro rover

Miss Harper Lee said...

So yummy! My humans have a friend who makes--and shares!--her own liqueurs. Now that's a great friend to have. Cheers!

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