Friday Fun - Apple and Cinammon Vodka

To use up some of my apple haul I decided to experiment and make an apple vodka.   I chopped up some cored apples, added them to a jar and added enough vodka to cover.   I then added a cinnamon stick. 

The apples turned brown overnight but I removed them and the cinnamon after 5 days and then tasted it.  You can definitely taste the apples, but the cinnamon, not so much.   It is quite sharp, so when I bottled it I added 1 tbsp of sugar.  

I think I will leave it for another week, and taste again!

Have a lovely weekend.

Bakebakegirl.

Friday Fun - Sloe Gin

Whilst chatting with Father In Law about foraging (after my bramble haul) I mentioned sloes - he said there were several in the woods at the bottom of their garden.   I was all set to pick them next time I went round; however, as if by magic Hubby appeared on Saturday with a huge bag of them that Father In Law had kindly picked for me.   I was going to make sloe vodka, as I don't like gin, but after speaking to Sister she assured me that it doesn't taste of gin as it completely transforms into a delicious liqueur. 

I used the recipe from the River Cottage Handbook.

It couldn't be easier - sloes, sugar and gin!

I now have to leave it till Christmas but the recipe states that the longer you leave it the better it will taste.    If I can manage to  keep it and not drink it, I just need to remove the sloes after 3 months. (Yikes, that will be Christmas Eve!)

Even since Tuesday the colour is a deep plum colour after shoogling every few days.

Have a lovely weekend.

Bakebakegirl

Friday Fun - Cucumber Presse

Sister and family stopped over at ours a couple of Fridays ago on their way to France.  I made a jug of this cocktail for us to enjoy.

Ingredients:
1/2 cucumber - chopped
the leaves from a few sprigs of thyme
150ml vodka
3 tbsp caster sugar
300ml white wine
bottle of tonic water
juice of 1 lemon

Method:
Whizz the cucumber and thyme leaves in a food processor, then strain though a sieve into a large jug.  Discard the pulp.  Add the vodka, caster sugar and white wine to the jug and stir well.  Top up with tonic water and add the lemon juice according to taste.

Add ice cubes if you like - my jug has a bit down the middle for ice cubes - so it doesn't dilute the drink.  However as it has been so hot here I needed lots of ice for this picture  - I served the drink in a marmalade jar with a sprig of mint and a retro straw!

This is a really refreshing long drink - perfect for summer - enjoy!

Have a good weekend.

Bakebakegirl.

Friday Fun - Limoncello

  

When I saw these lemons at the market I knew I had to buy them and use them in something special.  The weather had been so dreadful here, non stop rain and overcast skys so I decided to make some limoncello. 

I googled several recipes and they are all pretty similar.  This is the quickest version using a sugar syrup - only two weeks wait before you can drink it!

Ingredients:
1 Litre of vodka
3 large lemons or 6 small ones
500g caster sugar
200ml water

Method:

Peel the lemons - trying not to get any of the white pith.  Squeeze all the juice out of the lemons and set aside. 

Place the caster sugar and water into a large saucepan and stir over a low heat until the sugar has dissolved.  Add the lemon peel, bring to the boil and simmer for 15 minutes. 

Add the juice, bring back to the boil and simmer for another 5 minutes.   Leave to cool for about 20 minutes.

Pour into a large jar and add the vodka.  Leave for 2 weeks shaking the jar gently every day.  Strain and pour into bottles. 

 

Serve chilled and drink while waiting for the sun to shine!

I am planning to experiment with other fruits and see what flavoured vodkas I can create!

 

Have a lovely weekend.

Bakebakegirl.