Homemade Kumquat Liqueur: the refreshing and delicate recipe

Homemade kumquat liqueur is a fresh and digestive alcoholic drink prepared with kumquats, the so called Chinese mandarins, small citrus fruits which grow from an evergreen plant with very thick leaves. Sweet and delicate, this liqueur is an excellent end of the meal, especially in summertime, for the first outdoor dinners, as well as original to be served with cookies during the day. Lighter than limoncello, kumquat liqueur is very easy to make.

If you want, you can add some vanilla, or cinnamon to add a sweet note to contrast the citrus fruit flavor. Serve it in small glasses, or as a long drink, with some ice cubes and by adding sparkling water. Use a few wedges to garnish the glass. If you're curious about this recipe, here's how to make kumquat liqueur.

How to make Homemade Kumquat Liqueur

Carefully wash the kumquats and cut them in half. Alternatively, you can also leave them whole and prick the peel with a toothpick. In this way the juice and aromas will be more intense.

In a jar, or a glass jug with a lid, pour the ethyl alcohol and add the vanilla pod. Pour the kumquats last, in order to make sure they are all well immersed in the liquid.

Leave everything in infusion for at least 10 days. The more time passes the better: the taste will be more intense. Once a day, stir the infusion with a spoon.

Once the necessary time has passed, make the sugar syrup. Place on the fire the given amount of water and sugar and stir, so that it melts. Bring to the boil and turn off the flame. Let it cool down.

Using a strainer, strain the liqueur, so as to retain any traces of pulp. As soon as the sugar syrup is completely cooled, add it to the alcohol and mix well. Store the kumquat liqueur in a glass bottle, keep it in the refrigerator in order to serve it cold.

Tips

– If you like a more alcoholic drink, you can slightly decrease the doses of sugar syrup.

– During the infusion period, keep bottles in a cool and dark place, such as the shelf of a larder, away from sun rays. 10 days is the minimum time, ideally would be 30 or 40 days.

– Even without opening the jar, once a day you can shake it in a vigorous way, in order for the juice to be well distributed.

– Serve the kumquat liqueur in small glasses and add one of the pierced kumquats with an aperitif pin. You can also use the kumquats separately or together with fruit salads and ice cream.

How to store Homemade Kumquat Liqueur

You can store homemade kumquat liqueur in a closed bottles in the refrigerator.