Foodie Blogroll

Monday, June 10, 2013

Make your own Ginger Liqueur

This is my new favorite drink!! I have always liked ginger, (how do you like the above photo in front of some of my ginger plants?) even as a child I loved ginger cookies, but I've never really liked ginger ale except for Vernor's...but it wasn't until I was in England in the lake district and tasted some of the best gingerbread that I've ever had. That is when I discovered I love crystallized ginger too. I was searching for a recipe that was like that wonderful gingerbread, and have not found one yet. I did come across a really good recipe for ginger shortbread cookies with crystallized ginger. I now make them every Christmas and then some.

When I asked my friend Biren of Roti n Rice if she ever made ginger ice cream and she came up with this great Ginger Tea Ice Cream
I have not tried to make this yet because I would be the only one eating it. That was before my daughter started drinking ginger tea...


...here is just one of the kind  that she enjoys...this is so good on toast too. Now I know she would eat the ginger ice cream along with me, she enjoys ginger as much as I do.  So that's on my summer "to make" list.

She isn't old enough for the ginger liqueur, but that's okay! Let's get started...



I've been experimenting with some infused vodka lately and I will post some of those later. I used organic vodka and organic ingredients...so that was fun. The ginger vodka will take a little longer, but using brandy in can be ready to drink in a few days. I used mostly all organic except I could find organic brandy.

Ingredients:
  •  2 ounces or more of organic ginger root (I like the bite of strong ginger taste)
  •  1 organic vanilla bean
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar (scant, not packed unless you like it really sweet)
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/3 cup sugar (scant)
  •  1 1/2 cups water 
  •  1 orange I used a few strips of peel only non of the white part
  • 1 1/2 cups brandy
  •  I added a tablespoon or so of the ginger tea too

 Peel the ginger and cut it into thin slices. Split the vanilla bean in half lengthwise. Bring the ginger, vanilla, brown sugar, sugar, cinnamon stick and water to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until ginger is soft—about 20 minutes. Turn off the heat and add the honey, let the mixture cool. Place the orange peel glass container along with the syrup and brandy. Seal and shake, then let this mixture steep for one day. After one day, remove the vanilla bean and let the mixture steep for an additional day. Strain mixture through a fine sieve and return it to the bottle or jar for storage. Let it sit for one more day before using to let flavors mellow.You can strain it though a coffee filter or a yogurt strainer to make it clear

I had to try it before it was all strained clear, and it was a delightful drink on the rocks...


..or as an after dinner drink...to sip on for dessert. I actually will enjoy this anytime...it is very good. I have to try it in a cocktail yet...maybe with some ginger ale.  I might add some more spices next time and make it like a chai spice liqueur. Add a little bit of cloves, maybe some cardamom. What do you think? How would you enjoy this ginger liqueur?


33 comments:

  1. Oh my this post seems to be written just for *me*--my fav flavors and an alternative to the lovely but very expensive Canton ginger liqueur...fantastic, Lyndsey!

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    1. Yes, this is perfect for you Jenn...plus you are so creative. I used St Remy brandy, not that expensive and it work nicely with the flavors. Canton is so expensive. :)

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  2. Lyndsey, this sounds like a nice drink. I have not tried ginger liquer and I guess it would be a good ingredient for some bakes. I am bookmarking to try as I believe I have brandy somewhere in my pantry.

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    1. Great idea, I'll bet this would be good in some bakes, and even some other dishes. Might as well use that brandy up and give it a try. You can always adjust the flavors.

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  3. Excellent idea! I prepare my own home liquors (rather than liqueurs because they are not very sweet), but have never tested ginger yet. Thank you for the inspiration.

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    1. That is the best thing about preparing your own...you can control the sugar, and make it just the way you like it. I am making a ginger infused vodka right now, have not added much sweetener just a little honey. I haven't tried it yet, will let you know!

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  4. Hi Lyndsey, this drink look so good. Thanks for sharing your wonderful recipe.

    Have a nice week ahead.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Amelia. If you try this I know you'll like it! :)

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  5. Hi Lyndsey - I love the flavor of ginger and can think of so many uses for this beautiful liqueur starting with it on the rocks as an after dinner drink. A little soda water or ginger ale in it would be delicious too. I'm thinking this would make very nice little gifts at holiday time.

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  6. Cathy, yes I agree. Giving it as a gift is a great idea. I am also making some organic vanilla extract, using that organic vodka I've been getting. I give that as gifts (It will make quite a large amount, and I'd have to do a lot of baking if I kept it all).

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  7. Hi Lyndsey...as you can see from your visitors' site I'm the one visiting from Como! I finally figured out the Italian key board; I just could not sign in before.

    I'm so glad that you're back posting on your blog and that you got a new computer, as well as did I.
    I love your ginger liqueur...anything with ginger happens to be a favorite of mine. Love the brandy addition...lots of it!

    So horrible and heartbreaking the way you lost your parents...not something that happens to most people, and so hard to reconcile with. I've thought about you so often, and do wish you and your family peace and some justice to come from this traged.

    Sending you big Hugs your way! xoxo

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    1. Hey Elisabeth, thanks for stopping by all the way from Italy. Thank you for your condolences and being there for me. I know our ordeal is not over by any means. He still has to be charged with their murders, then the trial. I do think about them each and every day! Friends help so much!

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  8. I have never had ginger liqueur, let alone to make one myself! You are so talented!

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  9. I love ginger Lyndsay Im sure this taste amazing!!
    xo

    Im happy you come back!

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  10. Hi Lyndsey,
    Loving this flavorful concoction you've come up with. I have discovered a delicious Ginger Beer and Ginger Ale from Fevertree. If you can find it in your area you will go crazy for it! Cheers! - Robin

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  11. I don't know if my prev. comment posted, but just wanted to say this sounds amazing -- maybe even over ice cream! Cheers!

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  12. I LOVE ginger! This sounds so fantastic that I just can't tell you. I am definitely going to try this. Thanks for the great tutorial.

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    1. Oh I hope you do make this Pattie. Let me know what changes you make if any. I know you'll like it.

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  13. I want to make ginger liqueur! It sounds fantastic!

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    1. It is really easy to make and so much fun to do it your way. Let me know if you do. It called for more orange zest, but I took the peel that I put in out with the vanilla bean. Just personal preference.

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  14. I am a HUGE fan of ginger so I am literally squealing over this! Just think of all the cocktails one could make with it...

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    1. Yay Joanne, I'm excited to see what you come up with. The only problem with making this is leaving it alone...I want to finish the bottle :)

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  15. hi lyn! my first time seeing someone making ginger liqeur at home, how wonderful, i may just slowly sip like you and enjoy it as a drink! over here, i have made ginger tea at home several times, that time i was told by a relative of mine to help nausea and getting rid of gas in the stomach..just old ginger plus sugar in water. Oh mika, maybe when he is getting very naughty, can let him have a few sips..hehe...cruel me..LOL!

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  16. Although I'm not a big drinker (I think I'm allergic and I get drunk with a few sips!), I love that this has ginger in it. Never heard of it before but very tempted to sip on this drink.. :)

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  17. Reading this while chomping on ginger cookies - I LOVE it, and will give it a try. Good to have you back. Big hugs dearie

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  18. Love ginger, in fact chomping on ginger nuts.....in between writing and reading! Would love to give this a try!

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  19. Hi Lynsey,

    You are so brilliant making your own ginger liqueur. Wish that I can sip its warm version for winter.

    Zoe

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  20. Hi Lynsey! Thanks for supporting the LTU event!

    On the rock sounds perfect! :D

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  21. This is a drink is good for our body :)

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