Preparation: 4 - 6 weeks
Yield: 1 1/2 litres (6 cups) per batch
Sterilise jar/s
For each batch, you'll want 1 x quart (950ml) jar that has been sterilised by covering in boiling water and boiling for 10 minutes. Remove from water and rest for a few minutes on a tea towel-covered surface.
Pour vodka into jar
Use a funnel to reduce spillage of the vodka as you pour them into your jar.
Prepare orange peel
Wash oranges and dry using paper towel or a clean tea towel. Gently peel oranges, using pieces that are not discoloured/marked until you have about 1 1/2 cups of loosely packed peel pieces. Cut away the white pith using a small knife - I didn't peel my oranges carefully so had to remove the pith from nearly every piece of peel O.o
Add peel, shake jarAdd orange peel to jar, wipe rim and add seal. Screw band on to fingertip-tight, tighten and shake for a few seconds to combine.
StorageStore in a cool, dark dry place (like your pantry) for 4 - 6 weeks. Check after 4 weeks and see if the flavour is strong enough - if not, leave for another week or two.
4 - 6 WEEKS LATER Prepare sugar syrup
Over medium-low heat, combine sugar and water in a pan, stir until sugar dissolves. Cool.
Strain
Pour through a sieve/several layers of cheesecloth to remove peel.
Add sugar syrup
Combine room-temperature sugar syrup with flavoured vodka and red food colouring, shake to combine. Pour into a nice liqueur bottle with an air-tight lid to prevent evaporation. Seal and store at room temperature.
Ingredients:
10 - 12 oranges (I used 7 pounds / 3.6kg) to get 1 1/2 cups (loosely packed) peel
1 bottle (700 - 750ml) of vodka
1 cup white sugar
3 cups water
2-3 drops red food colouring
When you add the red food colouring, it will change the liqueur colour from a pale orange to a rich orange colour. How do you have your orange liqueur? Poured over ice and enjoyed straight as a liqueur,
or add a little into your favourite cocktail perhaps? My favourite using orange liqueur is a frozen lime margarita, yum!
Why not try making your own orange liqueur like this, it makes a delicious liqueur to enjoy and looks nice in a jar as a gift, too! :(^_^):
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| left: vanilla bean liqueur (after 3 days) right: orange liqueur (after 3 hours) |