Cherry Liqueur - 11 Dec 2013

Introduction

Well... This one forced my hand... We came home to discover the freezer had defrosted...

I had 1.2kg of Frozen and Pitted Cherries, they'd defrosted but seem kind of okay.  They're eating cherries so Kirsch is out of the question.

So what the hell... BANZAI.  No pictures yet, as it's just cherries and vodka.

Stage 1:

800ml vodka (40%) or 92% Rectified Spirit diluted to 40% with distilled water (you can buy Polish Rectified Spirit for liqueur making at decent bottle shops).
1.2Kg Frozen and Pitted Black Cherries.

• Add the 2 together in a large wide mouthed glass jar...
• Let Mature for 2-4 weeks.

Stage 2:

2 cups caster sugar
2 cups water

• Strain the spiced spirit trough a sieve into a jug .
• Place the sugar and water in a large saucepan over high heat.
• Stir to dissolve the sugar.
• Bring to the boil.
• Remove from the heat and let cool.
• Add the strained vodka to sugar syrup and stir to combine.
• Let sit for a week in a large glass jar for a week to settle
• Filter through muslin, the 2 layers of muslin, then 4.   Then filter with coffee filters.
• Pour the liqueur into clean bottle/bottles.