Homemade Liqueurs are one of the easiest and most cost effective ways of extending your cocktail supplies. Most Liqueurs are built from a base of Vodka or Whiskey and all they require is flavouring and patience.
Amaretto, is an Italian almond flavoured liqueur. It is delicious over ice and makes a versatile cocktail base. Over Winter, I like to add it to Hot Chocolate, but I'll show you that later!
The secret to a good liqueur is in using a quality base. You want a strong Vodka preferably around 30% alcohol for this version. You will be cutting the alcohol content in the finished product, so the higher the better.
Homemade Amaretto
Ingredients
2 cups Vodka
1 cup Water
3/4 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 Vanilla Beans
2 tbsp Almond Extract
Method
Add white and brown sugar to the TM bowl with 1 cup Water.
Heat for 8 minutes, speed 3, 98 degrees.
Allow to cool and pour into a sealable glass bottle.
Add 2 cups Vodka, Vanilla beans sliced lengthways and almond extract.
And now for the hard part!
Allow to sit for at least 1 week in a dark cupboard. It will help set the flavours. In fact leave it longer if you have good self control, it's worth the wait. And to reward you for your patience, I will have a recipe for you using your very own Homemade Amaretto.
A note about extracts:
You can pick up a variety of natural extracts and essences from the supermarket. If you are within easy reach of an ALDI Store, they have extracts on sale this week. You can find a quality Almond Extract for sale on eBay here:
http://ebay.to/29ahi7f
One of these days I might look at creating my own extracts but for now, these store bought substitutes do a great job.
