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Making a variety of alcoholic drinks yourself is becoming more and more popular every day. Pomegranate tincture allows you to combine alcohol strength and a subtle fruity note, giving the finished product an unforgettable taste and aroma. A variety of cooking recipes allows you to choose the best option that suits a person, taking into account his preferences and capabilities.
The benefits of pomegranate tinctures
Pomegranate has been known for its healing properties for many centuries. It has been scientifically proven that it contains about 15 useful amino acids - 5 of which are vital for the body. A large number of vitamins have been identified in the fruits, including C, K, B6 and B9. In addition, the high content of elements such as phosphorus, copper and potassium is extremely beneficial for the proper functioning of many organs.
An important component of this fruit is the substance punicalagin. It has a beneficial effect on the heart muscle, as well as the entire vascular system. Punicalagin helps reduce the risk of atherosclerotic plaque formation and normalizes total cholesterol levels.
What do pomegranate tinctures help with?
A properly prepared drink can minimize the risk of cardiovascular diseases and also reduce the likelihood of changes in blood pressure. It is believed that the tincture of pomegranate peel has anti-inflammatory properties and can also actively fight parasites in the body.
The drink has become widespread as an assistant in the treatment of oral diseases. The substances contained in pomegranate actively fight inflammation of the gums or mucous membranes. In addition, periodic consumption of the drink improves the condition of tooth enamel and reduces the chance of developing caries.
How to make pomegranate tincture
There is a legend that a pomegranate-based liqueur was distributed during Soviet times among the most influential officials. Regular consumption of this drink allowed the general secretaries of the Soviet Union to maintain their health. For its deep burgundy color it received the name “Kremlin stars”. The recipe for the drink was kept by the chefs in the strictest confidence, but preparing such a tincture at home is not difficult.
The main component of the drink is vodka. It is worth giving preference to the highest quality product that does not have an unpleasant fusel aroma.You can also use pure alcohol diluted with spring water to 40-45 degrees for preparation. Fans of home brewing prefer to use their own distillate - such a product inspires confidence in the correct manufacturing technology.
Another important ingredient is the pomegranate fruit itself. For the tincture, you need to choose ripe and juicy fruits. It is worth inspecting the fruit for signs of damage. Also, you should not use pomegranates that show even the smallest traces of mold - such fruits can spoil the taste of the finished drink.
How to make a tincture from pomegranate peels
Making a tincture on fruit peels allows you to transfer most of the nutritional elements contained in it to alcohol. The surface of the pomegranate should be smooth, without traces of visible damage. It is not allowed to use fruit if one of its sides has begun to deteriorate.
The pomegranate is cut into 4 parts and the seeds are removed. Then it is important to get rid of the white films and the adjacent white part of the peel. Like the zest in an orange, the most important part of the peel in a pomegranate is the colored part. To get 100 g of crusts, you will need 4-5 medium-sized fruits.
The crusts are poured with vodka in a ratio of 1:10. To add sweetness to the drink, add 300 g of sugar. If desired, you can add a cinnamon stick to the jar with the tincture - it will give an additional aromatic note. The container with the tincture is tightly closed and sent to a dark place for a couple of months.After this period, vodka on pomegranate peel must be filtered and bottled.
How to make a tincture of pomegranate seeds
A more popular way to prepare tinctures is to use pomegranate seeds. In such cases, it is they who are doused with alcohol. Since the grains are rich in juice, the taste of the finished product will differ significantly from the version when the drink was prepared on the rinds - the taste of the juice will mix with alcohol.
There are several ways of infusion. In some cases, the grains, cleared of films, are poured into a jar and filled with vodka, in others, the grains require additional processing. Most often, processing refers to grinding grains to extract juice from them. You can use either a sharp knife or a large rolling pin. In this case, the tincture will also receive some of the flavor from the seeds.
Recipes for pomegranate tinctures at home
There are many options for preparing tinctures using this fruit. Each person involved in the production of alcoholic beverages for personal needs has their own proven recipes for preparing pomegranate liqueur.
Depending on the end goal, the process of making the drink may vary slightly. Among the many recipes, it is customary to highlight pomegranate tinctures made with vodka, alcohol and cognac. The version of pomegranate tincture with vodka is the most popular and easy to make at home.
Pomegranate vodka
This recipe features a simple set of ingredients that can easily be found on the shelves of even small supermarkets. It is recommended to buy high-quality vodka to protect yourself from the possible negative consequences of drinking alcohol. To prepare the drink you will need:
- 0.5 l of vodka;
- 2 ripe pomegranates;
- 100 g sugar.
Peel the fruit and remove the films between the grains. It is recommended to discard greenish grains.
Next, the grains are transferred to a jar, covered with sugar and mixed. The neck of the jar is covered with gauze. The grains should sit with sugar for a week at room temperature.
After a week, the resulting juice is drained, and vodka is added to the grains. Now the jar is closed with a tight lid and placed in a dark place for a week. The pomegranate vodka tincture prepared according to the recipe is poured into bottles and sealed tightly. If the proportions are observed, the finished product will have a strength of 14-15 degrees.
Pomegranate tincture with alcohol
Alcohol is convenient because it can be diluted to the desired degrees. In this way, you can regulate the final strength of the final product. To prepare the traditional version of the drink you will need:
- 250 ml of pure alcohol;
- 250 ml water;
- 2-3 grenades;
- 150 g sugar.
The fruits are cleaned and the grains are extracted. After mixing with sugar, they are sent to settle for a week in a jar covered with gauze. After this, the excess juice is drained and the grains are poured with mixed alcohol and water in a 1:1 ratio. Infusion is carried out for another 1-2 weeks, after which the finished pomegranate tincture in alcohol is poured into prepared bottles.
Pomegranate tincture with cognac
Infusing drinks with cognac allows you to further enhance the taste of this noble drink. When combined with pomegranate, it acquires a light fruity aroma and pleasant sweetness. To prepare such a masterpiece you will need:
- a 0.5 liter bottle of three-star cognac;
- 3 ripe pomegranates;
- 100 g sugar;
- zest of 1 lemon;
- 1 cinnamon stick.
The fruits are cleaned and the grains are removed. Using a large knife, the grains are cut, promoting the active release of juice. The resulting juice is drained. The lemon zest is grated on a fine grater.
Cognac is poured into a large jar, chopped pomegranate seeds, sugar, lemon zest and a cinnamon stick are added to it. Infusion is carried out for 2 weeks in a warm, dark place. Pomegranate tincture with cognac must be filtered and then bottled.
Using pomegranate tincture
The most popular method of using pomegranate tincture in vodka is direct use as an alcoholic drink. Since the finished product is quite moderate in strength, it can be consumed as an aperitif or as an addition to dessert - chocolate or fresh fruit.
Pomegranate vodka liqueur can be used in preparing various cocktails. In addition, many chefs use it instead of liqueurs to soak cake layers or as a filling for a variety of chocolate desserts.
Inside
An excellent option for using pomegranate liqueur with vodka is to use it periodically before meals. Alcohol promotes better digestion of food.In addition, pomegranate increases appetite, which is especially useful for people who are underweight.
The tincture can be an excellent mouth rinse. Its active components perfectly combat the manifestations of sore throat and stomatitis. Alcohol also helps to destroy most of the harmful bacteria in the mouth.
Externally
It is believed that the tincture prepared with high-proof alcohol is excellent for use as compresses. A soaked gauze bandage on the forehead will help normalize your well-being and cope with loss of strength. When you have a cold, rubbing your back and chest helps get rid of mucus in the lungs.
An additional effect from using pomegranate can be obtained by lubricating wounds and inflammation on the skin with the tincture. Thanks to its antiseptic properties, the drink will allow you to efficiently disinfect damaged areas of the skin.
Contraindications
Like any other alcoholic drink, pomegranate tincture is not recommended for pregnant women, minors and nursing mothers, as well as people with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Alcohol aggravates gastritis and peptic ulcers, and also worsens intestinal patency. It is also not recommended to use the tincture for people suffering from high and unstable blood pressure.
A person prone to allergic reactions should take the drink with special caution. In such people, pomegranate juice can cause skin rashes and also cause difficulty breathing.
Terms and conditions of storage
Alcohol and tinctures based on it can be stored quite well, so we can assume that the shelf life of the drink is practically unlimited.However, an important detail of the pomegranate tincture is that over time the fruity aroma and taste decreases. In a year, the aroma of vodka will almost completely replace the pomegranate one, so it is advisable to consume the finished product as soon as possible from the moment of its preparation.
It is recommended to store the tincture in a cool, dark place. A basement, garage or unheated room is best suited for such purposes. Bottles must be tightly sealed to prevent harmful bacteria from entering them, which can turn alcohol into vinegar.
Conclusion
Pomegranate tincture is an excellent example of making a delicious homemade alcoholic drink. Thanks to its indescribable color and distinctive taste, it wins more and more hearts every year, and its beneficial properties help people fight a huge number of diseases.
