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    Home » Cocktails » Infusions

    Orange Liqueur

    LAST UPDATED: October 31, 2024 PUBLISHED: January 29, 2017 By Pam Greer 42 Comments As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Making homemade Orange Liqueur is easy and you won't believe how good it tastes!!

    Jar filled with vodka and orange slices.

    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!

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    Click here to see the recipe
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    Recipe.

    **As an Amazon affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jar of orange slices in vodka.
    Print Pin Save Saved!
    4.98 from 90 votes

    Homemade Orange Liqueur

    This Orange Liqueur takes a total of about 11 weeks aging, but it's so worth it.  Easy to make, time does all the work. 
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 5 minutes minutes
    Resting time 77 days days
    Total Time 77 days days 10 minutes minutes
    Servings 48
    Calories 112kcal

    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.

    Notes

    Recipe ages for a total of 11 weeks. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 112kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Potassium: 19mg | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 25IU | Vitamin C: 5.8mg | Calcium: 4mg

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Gee says

      June 09, 2022 at 2:30 am

      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.

      Reply
      • Pam Greer says

        June 11, 2022 at 1:54 pm

        I would refrigerate it, just to keep the flavor from degrading in the heat.

        Reply
      • Steve from Sugar Land says

        December 11, 2022 at 1:02 pm

        5 stars
        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.

        Reply
        • Pam Greer says

          December 11, 2022 at 2:46 pm

          I'm sorry it was too bitter for you. Did you add the simple syrup?

    2. Lwazi says

      December 16, 2020 at 1:45 pm

      Mine is now 9 months old now, I never added any vodka its just pure orange, water and sugar.

      Reply
    3. Janis says

      October 18, 2020 at 5:49 pm

      How long does this keep? I wasn’t sure with the sugar added. Thanks

      Reply
      • Pam Greer says

        October 19, 2020 at 10:21 am

        It will pretty much keep indefinitely, but I try to use it up within a year.

        Reply
        • Ronald Romano says

          December 07, 2021 at 5:46 pm

          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

    4. Sherri says

      October 17, 2020 at 9:31 am

      I’m going to make this as a Christmas gift. It sounds really good

      Reply
    5. Delia says

      June 16, 2020 at 2:30 pm

      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?

      Reply
      • Pam Greer says

        June 17, 2020 at 10:04 am

        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!

        Reply
    6. Dee says

      March 09, 2019 at 3:47 am

      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!

      Reply
      • Pam Greer says

        March 09, 2019 at 10:50 am

        So glad you like it!

        Reply
    7. Julie @ Running in a Skirt says

      January 29, 2018 at 11:54 am

      5 stars
      What a delicious idea! I love the idea of making your own versus using store bought. I bet the orange flavor is incredible.

      Reply
    8. Laura says

      January 29, 2018 at 8:14 am

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
    9. Ellie says

      January 28, 2018 at 4:02 pm

      5 stars
      This is an awesome idea! Sounds delicious and it's not difficult to make!

      Reply
    10. Ann says

      January 30, 2017 at 3:15 am

      Jut like my mother used to do. Cherries work very well and peaches. Lemons of course. Cumquats. Apricots too.

      Reply
    11. Rachel @ Simple Seasonal says

      December 03, 2015 at 11:09 pm

      My hubs and I were just having a discussion on how to do this. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    12. Dee says

      September 05, 2015 at 9:04 am

      Liqueur made as per your instructions, now maturing. Couldn't throw the saturated fruit away, so made boozy fruit jellies. OMW!!!

      Reply
    13. Marye says

      April 28, 2015 at 10:04 am

      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. 🙂

      Reply
    14. Couscous & Consciousness says

      December 06, 2010 at 2:08 am

      Oh, I'm totally bookmarking this one - that looks and sounds amazing. Can't wait to try 🙂
      Sue

      Reply
    15. grace says

      December 05, 2010 at 3:51 pm

      no, no--i can testify that one can, in fact, have too much liqueur. however, this is great. 🙂

      Reply
    16. Aurelia says

      December 05, 2010 at 1:56 am

      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 🙂

      Reply
    17. Debinhawaii says

      December 04, 2010 at 9:47 pm

      Beautiful--and such a nice gift too--especially a bottle of each the cranberry and the orange. 😉

      Reply
    18. Chris says

      December 04, 2010 at 9:16 pm

      That makes my 1/2 pint of triple sec look.....well "half pint".

      Reply
    19. Lea Ann says

      December 04, 2010 at 4:56 pm

      Well doesn't that look pretty! I made limoncello last winter, I do believe I've got to give this a try.

      Reply
    20. Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe says

      December 04, 2010 at 3:54 am

      This is another friday's favorite for sure~~'Orange' you glad you can make whatever flavor you want?

      Reply
    21. Chanel11 says

      December 04, 2010 at 12:48 am

      I think the orange liqueur would be gorgeous on a wintry evening by the fireplace

      Reply
    22. Jennifurla says

      December 03, 2010 at 9:38 pm

      Oh how cool, this would be neat for parties too as you could do different fruits like limes & lemons!

      Reply
    23. My Carolina Kitchen says

      December 03, 2010 at 8:41 pm

      Great idea Pam. And it's so pretty too.
      Sam

      Reply
    24. Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti says

      December 03, 2010 at 7:38 pm

      I love oranges so I knowe I'd love orange flavored voodka! Thanks--the recipe looks easy to so!

      Reply
    25. Marjie says

      December 03, 2010 at 6:30 pm

      I am so glad that you have more food storage options than squirrels! Where else would we get inspiration?

      Reply
    26. shabby girl says

      December 03, 2010 at 4:57 pm

      OOO, yummy! Let's face it, it's going to be a long winter. Us squirrels have to be prepared!

      Reply
    27. Quay Po Cooks says

      December 03, 2010 at 3:19 pm

      Making your own liqueur is soo cool!

      Reply
    28. Lyndsey says

      December 03, 2010 at 3:19 pm

      I love these recipes of yours. You are too funny...you can never have enough liqueur!

      It is pretty!

      Reply
    29. La Table De Nana says

      December 03, 2010 at 12:41 pm

      You are going to have quite the bar:)
      So pretty too~

      Reply
    30. Kirsten says

      December 03, 2010 at 12:40 pm

      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.

      Reply
    31. Kim says

      December 03, 2010 at 11:31 am

      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).

      Reply
    32. Joanne says

      December 03, 2010 at 11:26 am

      Maybe that's what I need in my kitchen. A wall dedicated to various liqueurs. I think that would be so pretty.

      Reply
    33. Peter M says

      December 03, 2010 at 11:04 am

      An excellent recipe...everybody needs this in their liquor stock.

      Reply
    34. A Year on the Grill says

      December 03, 2010 at 3:41 pm

      begs the question... Does this taste and more importantly cook like Cointreau???

      Reply
    35. food for thought says

      December 03, 2010 at 3:08 pm

      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 🙂

      Reply
    4.98 from 90 votes (86 ratings without comment)

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