Making homemade Orange Liqueur is easy and you won't believe how good it tastes!!
Well, last Friday was Cranberry Liqueur and this Friday is DIY Orange Liqueur! You know what they say…one can never have too much homemade infused liqueur. Wait. They don’t say that? Well they should.
Ingredients.
- Vodka - inexpensive vodka works fine for this. No point in using the good stuff! It will take on flavor from the orange, plus it will be sweetened.
- Oranges - since you are using the whole oranges, try to find organic if you can.
- Sugar - regular white granulated sugar.
Instructions.
Unlike my cranberry, it is a two step process, but since time does all the work, I’m there!
First you make an orange-flavored vodka. To do this you had washed sliced oranges into a clean jar and fill with vodka. Place a lid on it and place it in a cool dark space. Try to shake it once a day if you can.
Strain out the orange slices, and return the vodka back into the jar. Let it mellow and age for three weeks.
You can stop there if you'd like and use it like any other flavor vodka. Note - because of the pith it might be a bit bitter. So if you want a liqueur go on to the next step, which turns it into a liqueur.
Make a simple syrup by combining water and sugar in a saucepan and heating it until the sugar dissolves. Then cool completely.
Add the simple syrup to your orange vodka and let it age again for 6 weeks.
I know it takes a while, but it is so worth it and time does most of the work!
More infusions for you to try!
Recipe.
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Homemade Orange Liqueur
Ingredients
Orange-Flavored Vodka
- 1 quart inexpensive vodka
- 4 sweet oranges like navel (organic preferably)
Orange Liqueur
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 4 cups orange-flavored vodka
Instructions
- To make the orange flavored vodka:
- Pour the vodka into a clean jar with a tight fitting lid. Wash the oranges and slice them into 4 to 6 pieces and submerge them in the vodka. Store in a cool, dark place for 2 weeks, shaking it once a day.
- Strain the liquid through a fine mesh sieve or a cheesecloth. Return the vodka to a jar, and put it back in it’s cool, dark place to age for 3 weeks to mature the flavor.
- To make the Orange Liqueur:
- Make the simple syrup by combining the sugar and water in a saucepan and heat, stirring, until the sugar dissolves. Cool completely.
- Pour the vodka into a jar, start by adding ¾ cup of the simple syrup and taste. Add more if you want it sweeter, but it will get sweeter as it ages. Label it, cover tightly and store in a cook dark place for 6 weeks.
Gee says
Hi. I don't live in a cool place. It's hot. Do i need to refrigerate the liqueur or will it be fine in just a dark place.
Pam Greer says
I would refrigerate it, just to keep the flavor from degrading in the heat.
Steve from Sugar Land says
The picture of the huge orange slices dancing in the jar of vodka looks amazing! I have made limoncello before with good results but they insisted to not add any pith from the fruit - the whitish part under the skin or it would be bitter. I wondered that when I made this one as it uses the entire fruit which looks beautiful. Well I should of listened to my gut. After all the time, money and effort I now have alot of very bitter liquer.
Pam Greer says
I'm sorry it was too bitter for you. Did you add the simple syrup?
Lwazi says
Mine is now 9 months old now, I never added any vodka its just pure orange, water and sugar.
Janis says
How long does this keep? I wasn’t sure with the sugar added. Thanks
Pam Greer says
It will pretty much keep indefinitely, but I try to use it up within a year.
Ronald Romano says
i just went into my cool and dark cosset ware i store my liqueurs- i use shine around 140 proof clear with oranges from my trees (no poison) also blood oranges - and a lot of other things in there -I've found that you need to stay with glass no metal or plastic-my last batch i started on 12-06-19 was going to give for Christmas but i tasted it and WOW what a great taste and color -like none I've ever made in the past it is the longest batch i have ever made -and NO I'm not giving this stuff away ill share with but not giving- good luck to you -RR
Sherri says
I’m going to make this as a Christmas gift. It sounds really good
Delia says
I love this and have just made some today and look forward to trying the final product! I wanted your opinion- could the discarded oranges be used to make something? Whole orange cake or something like that?
Pam Greer says
I don't see why not! I frequently use fruit that I used for infusions in baked goods. I made some yummy boozy cranberry muffins!
Dee says
Making another batch using this recipe. It gets rave reveiws when given as gifts.
Delicious summer drink - 20mls liqueur to 100ml sparkling water, ice, enjoy!
Pam Greer says
So glad you like it!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
What a delicious idea! I love the idea of making your own versus using store bought. I bet the orange flavor is incredible.
Laura says
Great recipe, I love to make my own liquor. Limoncello, Nocino, we have our family recipe. This orange liqueur sounds delicious. In Italy we can buy 90% alcohol to make our digestive, I will try your liqueur with Vodka.
Ellie says
This is an awesome idea! Sounds delicious and it's not difficult to make!
Ann says
Jut like my mother used to do. Cherries work very well and peaches. Lemons of course. Cumquats. Apricots too.
Rachel @ Simple Seasonal says
My hubs and I were just having a discussion on how to do this. Thanks for sharing!
Dee says
Liqueur made as per your instructions, now maturing. Couldn't throw the saturated fruit away, so made boozy fruit jellies. OMW!!!
Marye says
You know... you have opened my eyes. I really did not know you could make all of this stuff homemade. Thank you so much.. because this means I can ALSO make it low carb. 🙂
Couscous & Consciousness says
Oh, I'm totally bookmarking this one - that looks and sounds amazing. Can't wait to try 🙂
Sue
grace says
no, no--i can testify that one can, in fact, have too much liqueur. however, this is great. 🙂
Aurelia says
Lol yes they definitely should say that! Thanks for this recipe, the one last week had me geared up to make some and this one does too 🙂
Debinhawaii says
Beautiful--and such a nice gift too--especially a bottle of each the cranberry and the orange. 😉
Chris says
That makes my 1/2 pint of triple sec look.....well "half pint".
Lea Ann says
Well doesn't that look pretty! I made limoncello last winter, I do believe I've got to give this a try.
Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe says
This is another friday's favorite for sure~~'Orange' you glad you can make whatever flavor you want?
Chanel11 says
I think the orange liqueur would be gorgeous on a wintry evening by the fireplace
Jennifurla says
Oh how cool, this would be neat for parties too as you could do different fruits like limes & lemons!
My Carolina Kitchen says
Great idea Pam. And it's so pretty too.
Sam
Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti says
I love oranges so I knowe I'd love orange flavored voodka! Thanks--the recipe looks easy to so!
Marjie says
I am so glad that you have more food storage options than squirrels! Where else would we get inspiration?
shabby girl says
OOO, yummy! Let's face it, it's going to be a long winter. Us squirrels have to be prepared!
Quay Po Cooks says
Making your own liqueur is soo cool!
Lyndsey says
I love these recipes of yours. You are too funny...you can never have enough liqueur!
It is pretty!
La Table De Nana says
You are going to have quite the bar:)
So pretty too~
Kirsten says
We make raspberry vodka every year. It’s a family recipe that my in-laws have been making for years. It is easy to do and so well worth the wait.
Kim says
One can never have too much liqueur - they do say that, or at least I say that! I'm not sure how I missed your cranberry liqueur (I have a batch put up in my pantry too). Love the homemade orange liqueur. It would be good in some hot chocolate (for breakfast right now, because it's one of those mornings).
Joanne says
Maybe that's what I need in my kitchen. A wall dedicated to various liqueurs. I think that would be so pretty.
Peter M says
An excellent recipe...everybody needs this in their liquor stock.
A Year on the Grill says
begs the question... Does this taste and more importantly cook like Cointreau???
food for thought says
you were smarter then me, i made mine with zest only, yours looks easier~
i made 3 flavors this fall, let me say they are delish in a cup of tea for a nightcap 🙂