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.
There is nothing like sipping this sweet and flavorful liqueur. It is rich and delicious with an intense citrus taste. This drink is wonderful in hot weather served over ice and equally fabulous in the colder months without ice.
You can also mix it with lemon-lime soda or club soda to soften the intensity. In addition, it is a great addition to your favorite fruity cocktails.
Beyond being really delicious there is something deeply satisfying in making your own flavored liqueurs. While quite simple they do require patience. Trust me it really is worth the wait.
Obviously the hardest part of this recipe is waiting the full 20 days for the flavor to develop. Yes, you can cheat and crack open your liqueur sooner but the longer you wait the better the flavor will be.
Directions
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.
Storage
This liqueur will continue to improve as they age, up to a point. For the best quality strain out any peels, seeds, berries, leaves or seasonings then store in a sealed bottle for about 2 years.
My last batch of orange liqueur lasted at least six months before we drank it all.
Recipe
Homemade Orange Liqueur
Ingredients
- 2 Cups vodka
- ½ Cup sugar
- ⅓ Cup water
- 1 teaspoon 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
Using your liqueur
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.
This is the perfect liqueur to add to cocktails. Try it in a quick Pegu Club cocktail. Add half a shot of orange liqueur, 1 shot of gin, 2 dases angostura bitters, 1 squeeze of fresh lime juice. Shake with ice, and then strain and serve.
Variations
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. Limes would also be fabulous.
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Please leave your comments, questions and ratings.
Ines
This is so delicious. It really has a lot of flavor, and the cloves were a great combination with the orange. I also love that it is not too sweet like most of the liqueurs that you buy or other recipes I've tried.
Shirley
Is there a reason it onmy lasts a few months? I've had homemade liquors that have lasted several years. They only get more delicious and mellow.
Sam
Hi Shirley,
You make a good point that homemade liqueurs do last longer than several months as long as they don't have any perishable foods left in the liquid that could spoil. They will continue to improve as they age, up to a point.
For the best quality strain out any peels, seeds, berries, leaves or seasonings then store in a sealed bottle for about 2 years.
Just to clarify, after the 20 days of steeping with the peels strain then allow it to sit for an additional 2-3 months before drinking to allow the flavor to develop.
My last batch of orange liqueur lasted at least six months before we drank it all.
Micheline
Do I use vanilla bean or vanilla essence
Sam
Hi Micheline. I used vanilla essence, or extract. It is quick and easy. If you prefer you could use a real vanilla bean. Simply cut open and scrape out the seeds and add to your liquor then strain it out with the other solids at the end of the soaking time.