Homemade Orange Liqueur
Homemade Orange Liqueur is surprisingly easy to make and is intense and sweet with the aromatic flavor of oranges. It is also so much tastier and a cheaper alternative to make it yourself than to buy an expensive bottle of Grand Marnier.
This is my new favorite drink. My favorite way to enjoy this homemade Liqueur is to simply sip on it. It is really lovely to savor in the evening while curled up with a good book. It is also stupendous in cocktails.
You can substitute your homemade orange liqueur in drink recipes that call for Curacao, Triple Sec, Grand Marnier or Cointreau. It makes a fabulous homemade gift.
You could also try substituting the orange zest for the peels of 6 – 8 lemons, and omit the cloves for a lovely Limoncello, the star drink of southern Italy.
Homemade Orange Liqueur
To make this easy recipe just bring your sugar, water and cloves to a boil to make the simple syrup mixture. Stir until all the sugar is dissolved and then let it cool to room temperature.
Peel zest of off of the oranges, cutting shallowly to avoid the white pith.
Mix the orange peels, vodka, and simple syrup mixture with cloves in a glass container and cover. Leave at room temperature for 20 days to infuse the orange flavor into the vodka. Swirl or move the container around every few days to help the flavors develop.
After 20 days strain the mixture and add the vanilla. Store in a clean bottle. You can use it right away or allow to age at room temperature for an additional 2 – 3 months for even more flavor. Chill and sip as is or use in your favorite cocktails.
Double the sugar and water for a sweeter liqueur if desired. For sipping liquor I recommend less sugar but if you will mostly be using your Homemade Orange Liqueur in cocktails you may want to add more simple syrup mixture.
Homemade Orange Liqueur
Ingredients
- 2 Cups vodka
- 1/2 Cup sugar
- 1/3 Cup water
- 1 tsp Vanilla
- 4 Whole cloves
- Peeled zest of 3 oranges
Instructions
- Bring sugar, water and cloves to a boil to make the simple syrup mixture. Stir until all the sugar is dissolved and let cool to room temperature.
- Peel zest of off of the oranges, cutting shallowly to avoid the white pith.
- Mix the orange peels, vodka and simple syrup mixture with cloves in a glass container and cover. Leave at room temperature for 20 days to infuse the orange flavor into the vodka. Swirl or move the container around every few days to help the flavors develop.
- After 20 days strain the mixture and add the vanilla. Store in a clean bottle. You can use it right away or allow to age at room temperature for an additional 2 – 3 months for even more flavor. Sip as is or use in your favorite cocktails.
Notes
