Can we start a thread on liqueus and cordials that you've made and liked, please?

I've never made any cordials, but...

my father used to make quite a few different liqueurs.

They used to sell little bottles of flavorings (anisette, creme de menthe, etc) in liquor stores. He'd simply add the contents into plain alcohol and voila. I don't know if they still sell those little bottles anymore.

 
Conserva Antica /drunk fruit

you can do some really nice ones very simply with the alcohol that you have on hand e.g. vodka, grappa or aquavit (three that I've used) or you can purchase a grain alcohol and get more sophisticated steeping your ingredients. But last year for thanksgiving bought a bag of frozen (organic) mixed berries from Costco and I sliced up some blood oranges and put them in including the rind. Let them sit for a couple of weeks in aquavit and it was fantastic. I had a big dispenser which emptied very quick and I wasn't expecting it so I had no more aquavit and ended up macerating some of the existing fruit to extract the flavor quickly and then adding the last drops of vodka and grappa that I had on hand to the mix and they were fairly neutral and by that time I think everyone had already imbibed and didn't notice the difference...
I would not normally recommending mixing the alcohols like that just pointing out that it can be very simple and rewarding. I did not add any sugar and the flavor was still excellent but you can also add sugar (or a syrup) to taste if you are looking for something really sweet.

 
Rec: Kahlua

Kahlua
Though I haven't made it in years, this is a tried and true recipe I used to gift during the holidays. One year at my office we had a “Kahlua - cook-off” - this recipe won the best tasting contest.

2oz Instant Coffee
4c Sugar

Dissolve with 2 cups boiling water. Let cool.

1pt Brandy
1 Vanilla Bean

Add 1 vanilla bean which has been crushed.
Add 1 pint of brandy or more*. Mix.
Put in bottle with tight cover let stand 30+ days.
SHAKE BOTTLE EVERYDAY. Strain after 30+
days.

* I only use one pint.

 
I may just try this one but...

the coffee snob (I'm really bad and set in my ways...) in me is bristling over the instant coffee. what do you think about using a high quality coffee and perhaps more like 6oz, course ground (for easy straining at the end) ?

 
Humm, dunno cuz I don't drink coffee (...ducks and runs)

Not sure you'd get the same results with something that's keeping the grounds in (is that what you mean?) because the coffee would be steeping that whole time, when as written it's the vanilla steeping. I'd be concerned it would get bitter. I suppose you could try equal amounts of coffee instead of the water, but someone else that's more into coffee I'm sure would have better info to share.

* I've never been able to tolerate coffee, and even now can barely tolerate a little decaf. I love Kahlua, but this is why I can no longer drink even a little of it. smileys/frown.gif

 
REC: Italian Cream Liqueur

Haven't thought about this recipe for years--thanks for the reminder!
Got this from someone I worked with years ago..

Italian Cream Liqueur

1 1/2 cups whipping cream
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
1 cup Frangelico liqueur
3/4 cup vodka
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Place all ingredients on a blender or food processor fitted with steel blade
Process briefly, til completely blended
Pour into bottles or airtight container and refrigerate.
Serve chilled.
Yield: 2 1/2 pints

Note: liqueur may be stored in refrigerator up to 1 month

 
Homemade Irish Cream

I don't use the almond extract. I usually start the eggs & whiskey blending first. All of this doesn't fit in my blender jar so I just add part of the cream to the blender thaen add the rest to whatever container I'm storing it in. Bonus, it keeps well in the freezer & frozen is about the consistency of soft serve ice cream. I like to put a big dollop in a small footed glass & sip on it as it melts.

HOMEMADE BAILEY'S IRISH CREAM
Printed from COOKS.COM
1 3/4 c. Irish whiskey
1 can Eagle sweetened condensed milk
1 pt. whip cream
2 tbsp. Hershey's liquid chocolate
1/2 tsp. almond extract
1 tsp. vanilla extract
4 eggs
Put in blender and blend for 4 minutes.

 
Bailey's Irish Cream, Creme de Coca, Creme de Menth, Grand Marnier, Kahlua, Amaretto,

I have not made the Creme de Coca or Creme de Menth, all the other's I absolutely love. We used to make it in Jeddah and we used our home made booze. It is called "Sid" which is short for the Arabic word Sidiqi which means friend.

Bailey's Irish Cream

Recipe By :Roni
Serving Size : Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Beverages

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method

2 capful, Brandy Extract
1 1/2 cups Eagle Brand Condensed Milk
2 cups Heavy Cream
8 eggs
1/4 cup Chocolate Syrup
1 1/3 tablespoons Instant Coffee
2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
1 teaspoon almond Extract
1 quart Vodka

Blend in mixer until smooth. Store in refrigerator covered up to one month. Makes 3 Green Bottles.

Creme de Cocoa

Recipe By :Jane
Serving Size : Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Beverages

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method1 Pint Chocolate Syrup
1 Pint Karo Syrup
1 1/2 Cups Thick Black coffee
2 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract
1 Quart Vodka

Heat chocolate, Karo and coffee. Cool.
Add vanilla and Vodka and mix well.
Makes 2-3 bottles.


Creme de Menth

Recipe By :Jane
Serving Size : Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Beverages

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method2 Cups Sugar
2 Cups Water
2 Tablespoons Karo Syrup
1 1/2 Teaspoons Peppermint flavoring
1 Quart Vodka
Green food coloring

Heat sugar, water and syrup until dissolved. Cool.
Add peppermint flavoring and green Food coloring and Vodka.
Makes 1 1/2 to 2 Liters.

Grand Marnier

Recipe By :Carl and Ingrid Pederson
Serving Size : Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Beverages

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method1 Orange
40 Sugar Cubes
40 Dark roasted coffee beans
1/2 Sm. Bottle Vanilla Essence
1 Quart Vodka

Poke orange 40 times and place remaining ingredients in jar and cover loosely. Let stand for 40 days.

Kahlua

Recipe By :Dell
Serving Size : Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Beverages

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method5 Cups Water
3 1/2 Cups Sugar
10 Teaspoons Instant Coffee
1 quart Vodka
4 teaspoons vanilla

Simmer water and sugar 2 1/2 hours or until reduced to 1 Quart. COOL.
Add 1 Quart Vodka and vanilla.
Makes 2 Quarts.


Amaretto

Recipe By :Dell
Serving Size : Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Beverages

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method3 Cups Sugar
2 Cups Water
Lemon Zest
2 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract
1 Teaspoon Chocolate Extract
6 Teaspoons Almond Extract
1 Bottle Brandy Extract
3 Cups Vodka

Bring Sugar, water and lemon to boil. Cover and simmer 30 minutes. Remove rind and cool. Add remaining ingredients and mix well.
Makes 1 Quart.



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I'll post one more. Dry Sherry

This recipe came from my favorite British nurse at our clinic. I don't like Sherry but all our British friends did and they loved it. I used it for cooking however.
Dry Sherry

Recipe By :Nina GNP
Serving Size : Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Beverages

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method

4 med. Potatoes
3 Pounds Brown Sugar
2 1/4 Pounds Raisins,Seedless
1 Teaspoon Yeast (Flieshmans)
1 Gallon Water

Peel and chop potatoes into quarters. Add all other ingredients to container. Stir. Cover. Let stand for 2 weeks exactly. Siphon and strain into 1 gallon jars and seal. Let stand for 2 weeks. Strain into bottle and let stand for 2 more weeks. Makes 3 1/2 Liters

 
Ten Day Mint Juleps

Ten Day Mint Juleps

1 cup sugar
1 cup Brandy
1 gal. Bourbon

Fill large jar with mint leaves. Pour sugar and brandy over leaves. Pour bourbon over all. Place in the refrigerator

Invert 1 way 1 day and turn over the next day for 10 days. Strain through cheese cloth. Pour 2 oz of this elixir over crushed ice and garnish with fresh sprig of mint.

Earnie’s notes.

I pack as many mint leaves in the jar as possible. I leave the brew a minimum of 10 days, but more is better. The longer you leave it, the better within reason. I have left it 30 days before. I strain the elixir two to three times.

 
Swamp Water

Swamp Water

1 part rum
1 part bourbon
2 parts orange juice
1 part lemon juice
cherry juice & XXX (confectioner’s) sugar to taste.

 
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