1 lb. Fresh Cranberries
3 cups of clear 60-80 proof liquor.
2 cups of sugar
1.5 cup water
1 navel orange - grate the peel and squeeze the juice
Large Sealing glass container
salt
Glass bottles with sealing lids
Create a simple syrup: Add 1.5 cup of water to the pot. Bring water to a slow boil. Slowly add the 2 cups of sugar. Stir constantly until the sugar is completely dissolved.
Put the berries in the blender or food processor and blend away.
Put the chopped cranberries in the pot. Simmer on low (really, really low) for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand until cool.(This takes a long time... remember it's in a sugar solution so it stays hot longer.
Select your Liquor. Most use vodka but, if you like rum (use clear), or gin better, use it. I don't use expensive vodka but I also don't use the kind you buy at the grocery store (varies by state, here in Ohio, you don't want the stuff they sell in the grocery store!) If you want to add a little kick, you can also add a couple shots of Bacardi 151 or Everclear at this point too... but I prefer it to taste like cranberry not alcohol.
Steeping: Put the cranberry/sugar mixture into a clean sterile jar. Add the liquor. Store in a cool dark place for 2 to 3 weeks. Shake it up every day or so.
Clearing: Put the jar in the fridge for about a day so it gets good and cool. Then carefully pour the mixture into a bowl through a sieve or colander lined with cheesecloth. Stir in a teaspoon of salt (trust me).
Storing: Sterilize the smaller bottles you will use for your gifts.Fill them and put the caps on. Keep them refrigerated after opening for best results. They can keep in a cool dark place for about a year.
When the "recipe" is cured....... drink it on the rocks.......or use a little in a tall glass with ice and fill with club soda... or make a Cosmo-
2 parts home-made cranberry liqueur
1 part Cointreau®
shaken not stirred
garnish with a wedge of orange, or lime
Cheers!
