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The mulberry tree, or simply mulberry, is an amazing plant that bears sweet and very healthy berries. They help against many ailments of the cardiovascular system and kidney function. The fruits, rich in various vitamins and microelements, are used not only for medicinal purposes, but also in cooking. Berries are prepared in different forms: jam, jam and compote. Various mulberry tinctures and liqueurs are also healthy and pleasant to taste.
Benefits of mulberry liqueur
Mulberries are rich in vitamins and minerals. It contains microelements such as:
- vitamins A, C, K, E and B;
- beta and alpha carotene;
- niacin;
- calcium;
- potassium;
- sodium;
- magnesium.
The composition also contains other beneficial substances in the form of carbohydrates, proteins, sugars, organic acids, and antioxidants.
As can be seen from the rich composition of mulberry fruits, one can easily say that any mulberry product will also be rich in useful substances. All kinds of tinctures are considered especially useful, including classic liqueur, since during their preparation the berry is not subjected to heat treatment, and, therefore, retains all its healing properties.
Features of preparing mulberry liqueur at home
To prepare mulberry liqueur, the berry is used fresh, fresh frozen or dried. At the same time, a drink made from fresh fruits will taste better. And it’s even better if it’s a freshly harvested crop - this way the pleasant aroma will be preserved.
You can use red and black fruits; white mulberries are used less often, because their taste is less bright and the color of the liqueur will be pale.
When preparing liqueur, special attention is paid to the quality of the berries. It should be ripe, but not overripe. In addition, it is worth monitoring the integrity of the fruit; if you come across at least one spoiled berry, the finished drink will have a bitter taste.
Any alcohol-containing drinks are suitable for the alcohol base: vodka, cognac, moonshine and even diluted medical alcohol.
Homemade mulberry liqueur recipes
Mulberry goes well with many foods. Therefore, liqueur can be made according to various recipes. The most standard recipe is an alcohol-based tincture. But there are other options for preparing liqueur using other fruits or berries, as well as cream, condensed milk and nuts.
Classic recipe
The liqueur, made according to the classic recipe, is one of the easiest to prepare. To obtain the full flavor and aromatic bouquet of such a drink, only fresh fruits and high-quality alcohol are required.
Ingredients:
- red or chokeberry mulberry - 400 g or 2 full cups;
- cognac – 0.5 l;
- water 1 glass;
- sugar – 400 g;
- spices to taste (cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves);
- vanillin.
Sometimes vodka is used instead of cognac, but in this case the liqueur turns out to have a different, less intense taste.
Cooking method:
- Peel, rinse and dry the berries.
- Grind the fruits until smooth.
- Separately, mix sugar and water in a saucepan, put on fire and bring to a boil. After boiling, reduce the heat and, stirring, cook the syrup for about 3 minutes. Add spices to taste and vanilla. Then remove from heat and leave to cool.
- After the syrup has cooled, pour the mashed berries over it. Mix well, adding cognac in a thin stream.
- The mixture is poured into a sterilized jar and closed tightly. In this form, the mixture is left for 20 days in a room with a temperature of 15 to 25 degrees. Every 4 days, shake the jar of drink well.
- After 20 days of aging, the finished liquid mixture is filtered through gauze (it is recommended to filter through cotton wool with gauze to remove turbidity). Pour into sterile bottles and close tightly.
The strength of this drink is about 25%. When prepared correctly, this liqueur can be stored in a hermetically sealed bottle for up to 3 years.
Citrus liqueur
Liqueur prepared with the addition of citrus fruits has a pleasant and unusual taste. In addition, lemon removes the cloying sweetness of the drink, making it tender with a slight sourness.
Ingredients:
- black or red mulberry fruits - 500 g;
- cognac (can be replaced with vodka) - 0.5 l;
- sugar 250 g, you can use about 300 g so that the drink does not turn out too sour;
- 1 lemon.
Cooking method:
- Sort, wash and dry the berries.
- Mash the finished mulberry with a fork and transfer to a jar. Pour in an alcoholic drink (cognac or vodka).
- Cut the lemon in half, squeeze the juice into the mixture of berries and alcohol.
- Remove the zest from the squeezed lemon (only the top layer of peel, not reaching the white pulp). You can use a special grater.
- Add the peeled zest to the jar for the preparation. Cover tightly with a lid and place in a cool, dark place for 2 months. Every 2 weeks, the preparation for the future liqueur should be shaken well.
- After 2 months, open the jar and strain the contents through cheesecloth.
- Add pre-cooked sugar syrup to the strained mixture (the syrup is cooked according to the same principle as in the first recipe). Mix well, seal tightly again and put in a cool place (preferably a cellar) for another 1 month.
- After aging, the liqueur is filtered through cotton wool and gauze and bottled.
The strength of the resulting drink is up to 30%.
With condensed milk
The recipe for mulberry liqueur with condensed milk is considered the fastest. It takes only half an hour to prepare. At the same time, the taste is very delicate, milky and berry.
Ingredients:
- mulberry (you can use white and red fruits) - 400 g;
- 1 incomplete can of good condensed milk (300 g);
- vodka - 300 ml;
- water - 150 mm;
- sugar 3 tablespoons.
Cooking method:
- Place peeled and washed berries in a saucepan. Add sugar and water. Place on fire and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the boiled mixture from the heat and set aside.
- Strain the cooled mixture through cheesecloth (the berries should be squeezed out so that their juice is completely released).
- Pour condensed milk into the squeezed syrup and beat with a mixer for about a minute. Add vodka and beat again for 30 seconds.
- Pour the milk-berry mixture into a sterilized bottle and place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. After which the liqueur is ready to drink.
The strength of this drink varies from 15 to 20%.
With almonds
No less refined is the recipe for mulberry liqueur with the addition of almonds.
Ingredients:
- mulberry fruits - 450 g;
- vodka or cognac - 400 mm;
- water - 300 mm;
- sugar - 200 g;
- unpeeled almonds - 30 g (one medium handful).
Cooking method:
- Wash the mulberries and crush them with a spoon, transfer to a jar.
- Add almonds to the berries and pour in the alcoholic drink.
- Close the mixture tightly and place in a cool, unlit place for a month. Shake the jar at least once every 7 days.
- After aging for a month, open the jar with the mixture and add pre-prepared sugar syrup (the syrup is prepared by mixing and boiling sugar with water for 2 minutes).
- The berry-nut mixture with added syrup is sealed again and left for up to 20 days.
- The finished mulberry liqueur is filtered and bottled.
The strength is up to 30%.
Storage period and conditions
The shelf life of classic mulberry liqueur is approximately 3 years, provided that the container is properly prepared and sealed. This drink should be stored in a cool and dark place; a cellar would be ideal for this purpose.
After opening the bottle, the drink is stored in the refrigerator.
It is not advisable to store liqueur containing condensed milk for a long time.It is best to drink this drink immediately after it is ready.
Conclusion
Mulberry liqueur is a pleasant and very healthy drink, which has a low strength and is suitable for the treatment and prevention of colds, as well as for boosting immunity.
