Making your own homemade Orange Liqueur is easy and you won't believe how good it tastes!! Post may contain affiliate links.
Well, last Friday was Cranberry Liqueur and this Friday is Orange Liqueur! You know what they say…one can never have too much liqueur. Wait. They don’t say that? Well they should.
Like the squirrels, I have been putting away for winter. Unlike the squirrels, I have lots more options than just nuts and seeds. As I contemplate winter, I envision myself sitting in front of the fire, a steamy mug of something laced with a little something. What better to lace a steaming mug of something than some homemade fruity liqueur?
So, I turned to one of my favorite, putting things up book,Jam It, Pickle It, Cure It: And Other Cooking Projects
by Karen Solomon. This orange liqueur caught my eye. 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. You can stop there if you'd like and use it like any other flavor vodka. But if you want an orange liqueur, you need to let it mellow longer with a simple syrup added to it.
Orange Liqueur or Orange Flavored Vodka
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
Nutrition
This week I am linking up with: Amaze Me Monday | Lou Lou Girls | The Hearth and Soul | The SITS Girls | Full Plate Thursday | Foodie Friday | Saucy Saturdays
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.
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!