Irga is considered a fresh berry without a bright taste, but knowing just a couple of cooking secrets, you can make a delicious vodka or alcohol tincture from it. We will go through this recipe step by step.
We need any ripe berries of shadberry: fresh, frozen or dried. Their size doesn’t matter. Dry fruits need half as much as indicated in the recipe. Frozen berries must first be thawed and allowed to drain. Wash fresh irga well. It is better to insist on vodka or alcohol diluted to 40-45%. An interesting option is obtained with cognac. In extreme cases, moonshine without a strong odor is suitable.
Ingredients:
- berries of irgi – 1,5 kg;
- vodka (alcohol 40-45%, moonshine) – 1 liter;
- honey (sugar) – 2 tablespoons;
- dry rose hips – 10 pieces (optional).
The amount of honey can be adjusted to your liking. Instead of rose hips, red or black currants (300 grams) and chokeberry (150 grams) are also added. Thanks to these berries, original notes of taste appear in the drink.
Recipe for tincture of irgi on vodka
1. Mash the berries with your hands or with a wooden rolling pin. Put the resulting puree in a jar for infusion.
2. Add honey (sugar), rose hips, pour the mixture with vodka. Mix and close the lid tightly.
3. Transfer the jar to a dark place with room temperature, leave for 10-12 days. Shake every 2-3 days.
4. Filter the tincture through several layers of gauze and cotton.
5. Pour into bottles, seal tightly with corks and keep for 2-5 days in a dark, cool place before tasting. Shelf life – up to 3 years.
