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Redcurrant liqueur is a drink with a pleasant rich taste and medium strength, which connoisseurs prepare at home. It will decorate the table during a holiday or simple gatherings. In addition to these qualities, berries also have useful properties. Some recipes do not require a lot of time to prepare, and everyone will be satisfied with the result. Many have their own ways, recorded in a cookbook, but here are the most popular and proven ones, which may also be included in this collection.
The benefits and harms of homemade redcurrant liqueur
Red currants are less commonly used in liqueurs than black currants due to their less intense flavor. A pleasant ruby color is not the only advantage of the drink. It is this variety that contains more useful properties that are practically not destroyed, because there is no heat treatment.
The fruits contain the following elements:
- iron;
- iodine;
- calcium and potassium;
- magnesium;
- vitamins A, B6, C and P;
- proteins.
The drink contributes to the normalization of the gastrointestinal tract, and also strengthens the immune system and the walls of blood vessels, gives a healthy look to the skin and hair.
Redcurrant berries perfectly remove toxins and toxins. Potassium will fight swelling. Scientists have proven that the fruits have a high content of coumarins and furocoumarins, which have analgesic and antitumor properties.
How to make redcurrant liqueur at home
The first thing you should pay attention to when cooking is the quality of red ripe currants. Any variety is suitable for cooking. However, connoisseurs do not recommend mixing them with black fruits of the shrub in order to preserve the characteristic taste. Can be used frozen. It is better to pour dried raw materials with boiling water in advance.
You should not listen to people who advise not to sort out currants, believing that spoiled fruits will improve the fermentation process. Such a red drink can cause indigestion and have an unpleasant taste.
The composition contains one of the alcoholic beverages: purified moonshine, vodka, alcohol or cognac. You can adjust the fortress yourself, but it is recommended to adhere to a certain parameter of 40 degrees. To do this, it is enough to dilute the base with water. High-quality raw materials will not interrupt the aroma of red currant with their vapors. By changing the recipe on your own, you can end up with wine or tincture instead of liquor. Better to follow the instructions exactly.
The sweetness of the drink is given by granulated sugar, the content of which can reach 60%. To supplement the drink with healing properties, some replace it with bee honey. People who have completely eliminated it from their diet use fructose.
As spices for liquor, you can use:
- fresh raspberry, cherry, currant leaves;
- juice and zest of citrus fruits;
- cinnamon, cloves;
- peppermint;
- grapes;
- raspberries.
The preparation process involves spending up to 2 months, but it can be accelerated using cognac as an alcohol base.
Redcurrant liqueur recipes
Below are popular liqueur recipes. Red fruits will be used in various combinations to complete the drink.
Classic redcurrant liqueur recipe
This is the most common way to make liquor, which does not involve a large number of ingredients.
Composition:
- vodka (40%) – 750 ml;
- sugar – 1 kg;
- currant (red variety) – 1 kg;
- water – 750 ml;
- currant leaves (without damage) – 10 pcs.
Step-by-step instructions for making liquor at home:
- Separate the red currant from the twigs, sort out and knead a little, without affecting the seeds. Transfer to a glass bottle that can be sealed tightly.
- Pour the composition with vodka, close and put in the sun for 6 weeks. The container must be shaken occasionally to take as much juice from the berry as possible.
- The next step is pumping through several layers of gauze cut. Squeeze out the pulp from the fruit and discard.
- Separately, boil a sweet syrup from water and sugar. To do this, simply boil the composition and then simmer for 10 minutes.
- After complete cooling, combine both liquids and distribute into bottles. Close tightly.
A richer taste will be obtained after aging in the refrigerator for another 7 days.
Spicy redcurrant liqueur
An ideal liquor option, suitable for a harsh winter. Spices will help not only warm, but also saturate the taste and aroma.
Ingredients:
- red currant – 1 kg;
- water – 600 ml;
- cinnamon – 1 stick (powder will not work);
- sugar – 1 kg;
- ginger (root) – 8 g;
- vodka or moonshine – 750 ml.
Prepare the liqueur according to the instructions:
- Sort out red currants from rotten berries and debris. Fold in a container (preferably glass) along with spices. Peel and chop the ginger root into slices, just break the cinnamon stick.
- Pour everything with alcohol and leave in a well-lit place. It will take at least 2 weeks to endure.
- Strain the infusion so that there are no remnants of berries and spices in it. To do this, it is better to use gauze folded in several layers.
- Pour granulated sugar into a saucepan, add water and boil, leaving on fire for another couple of minutes. Cool well.
- Pour redcurrant tincture with syrup, mix.
After moving into the bottles, let it stand for some more time. Some add lemon balm leaves and star anise for a more spicy taste.
Redcurrant lemon liqueur
The citrus fruit will help add health benefits to the liqueur. It is better to infuse it with a berry, rather than boil it in syrup, in order to preserve the vitamin supply.
Grocery set:
- red currant – 1 kg:
- bee honey – 150 g;
- granulated sugar – 900 g;
- lemon – 1 pcs .;
- water – 600 ml;
- vodka – 800 ml.
Detailed description of the liqueur recipe:
- Rinse the lemon well under hot water with a brush to remove the paraffin layer. Grater to remove the zest, without affecting the white part, which will give bitterness.
- Separate red ripe currants from twigs, sort and rinse. A prerequisite is drying with a towel.
- Put everything in a glass bottle or a large jar, pour vodka. Put in a bright place for 3 weeks. Strain.
- Make syrup from sugar and water. After boiling, add lemon juice and turn off. When it cools down a bit, dilute honey in the composition.
- Before mixing, the sweet liquid should be at room temperature.
Pour into prepared bottles, dropping 1 spiral of zest into each and refrigerate for a couple of days.
Quick redcurrant liqueur
There are times when liquor needs to be prepared right before the holiday. This recipe will show you how. But only the vitamin composition will be slightly lost.
Ingredients:
- granulated sugar – 600 g;
- green cherry and currant leaves – 10 pcs.;
- red peeled currant – 250 g;
- water – 2 l;
- vodka, cognac or diluted drinking alcohol – 500 ml;
- citric acid – 1,5 tsp.
Liquor recipe step by step:
- Pour the red currant, which was prepared in advance, into an enamel bowl along with the leaves torn by hand.
- Pour in water and put on the stove. Boil for half an hour over low heat, cool a little and strain, preferably using a gauze cut.
- Sprinkle citric acid with sugar. Stir until all crystals are completely dissolved, and if necessary, heat.
- Mix with vodka only after cooling.
This liqueur is ready to drink almost immediately. Can be chilled if desired.
Redcurrant and grape liqueur
Grapes also speed up the process of making liquor, and also soften its taste.
Grocery set:
- currants – 3 kg;
- red grapes – 6 kg;
- granulated sugar – 0,5 kg;
- vodka 1 l.
Algorithm of actions:
- Berries of red currant and grapes should be sorted out, washed and dried. Then they are passed through a juicer.
- Heat the juice a little on the stove to dissolve the sugar in it. Move the composition into a bottle, on which tie a glove with a small hole, put in a dark place for 10 days. During this time, the drink will ferment, sometimes it will need to be shaken.
- Strain the liqueur, pour in vodka for strength.
Place bottled in refrigerator.
Red currant and cherry leaf liqueur
Cherry leaves will help enhance the taste and aroma in this liquor recipe, and lemon will not only add sourness, but also make the drink last longer.
Ingredients:
- vodka – 1 l;
- cherry leaves – 10 pcs.;
- raspberry leaves – 20 pcs.;
- citric acid – 1 tsp;
- sugar – 500 g;
- red currant – 500 g.
Liquor making process:
- Rinse the red currant berries under the tap and scatter on a towel to dry.
- Rinse the leaves too, put in boiling water and simmer under the lid for about 20 minutes. After cooling, strain and mix with citric acid.
- Mash the fruits a little, cover with sugar.
- As soon as they start to give juice, pour in the broth and vodka.
- Leave closed, preferably in a glass container for a month.
After filtering, pour into a convenient container.
Противопоказания
Attention should be paid to contraindications for people suffering from stomach diseases. No need to take risks with an ulcer or gastritis. Liquor thins the blood, which can harm a person with poor clotting.
It is forbidden to take alcoholic beverages to children and women who are waiting for replenishment and breastfeeding.
Terms and conditions of storage
There is an opinion that all liqueurs are stored for a long period. But over time, it loses not only color, but also taste and useful qualities. Room temperature is considered optimal, as it will simply thicken in a cold place. In extreme cases, it is placed in the refrigerator immediately before use. You should also avoid direct sunlight and shake the bottle.
Following these rules, the drink will easily retain its qualities for a year when closed and up to 3 months if it is opened.
Conclusion
Red currant liqueur will become a frequent guest on the festive table. A drink made by one’s own hands gives confidence in the quality. Pleasant color, aroma and taste will surprise guests.