Content
Red currant liqueur is a drink with a pleasant rich taste and medium strength, which connoisseurs prepare at home. It will decorate the table during a holiday or simple gatherings. In addition to these qualities, the berries also have beneficial properties. Some recipes do not require a lot of time to prepare, and everyone will be satisfied with the result. Many have their own methods recorded in the cookbook, but here are the most popular and proven ones, which may also be included in this collection.
The benefits and harms of homemade redcurrant liqueur
Red currants are less often used for making liqueurs than black fruits due to their less intense aroma. The pleasant ruby color is not the only advantage of the drink. It is this variety that contains more useful properties, which are practically not destroyed, because there is no heat treatment.
The fruits contain the following elements:
- iron;
- iodine;
- calcium and potassium;
- magnesium;
- vitamins A, B6, C and P;
- proteins.
The drink helps normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, and also strengthens the immune system and the walls of blood vessels, giving a healthy appearance to the skin and hair.
Red currant berries perfectly remove toxins and impurities. Potassium will fight swelling. Scientists have proven that the fruits contain a high content of coumarins and furocoumarins, which have analgesic and antitumor properties.
How to make redcurrant liqueur at home
The first thing you should pay attention to when preparing is the quality of the red ripe currants. Any variety is suitable for cooking. However, experts do not recommend mixing them with black fruits of the bush in order to preserve the characteristic taste. Can be used frozen. It is better to pour boiling water over dried raw materials in advance.
You should not listen to people who advise against picking currants, believing that spoiled fruits will improve the fermentation process. This red drink can cause indigestion and have an unpleasant taste.
The composition contains one of the alcoholic drinks: purified moonshine, vodka, alcohol or cognac. You can adjust the strength yourself, but it is recommended to adhere to a certain parameter of 40 degrees. To do this, just dilute the base with water. High-quality raw materials will not interrupt the aroma of red currants with their vapors. By changing the recipe yourself, you can end up with wine or tincture instead of liqueur.It is better to follow the instructions carefully.
The sweetness of the drink is given by granulated sugar, the content of which can reach 60%. To supplement the drink with healing properties, some replace it with bee honey. People who have completely eliminated it from their diet use fructose.
The following are suitable spices for liqueur:
- fresh raspberry, cherry, currant leaves;
- juice and zest of citrus fruits;
- cinnamon, cloves;
- peppermint;
- grape;
- raspberries.
The preparation process requires up to 2 months, but it can be accelerated by using cognac as an alcohol base.
Redcurrant liqueur recipes
Below are popular liqueur recipes. The red fruits will be used in various combinations to give the full flavor of the drink.
Classic redcurrant liqueur recipe
This is the most common method of making liqueur, which does not require a large number of ingredients.
Compound:
- vodka (40%) – 750 ml;
- sugar – 1 kg;
- currants (red variety) – 1 kg;
- water – 750 ml;
- currant foliage (without spoilage) – 10 pcs.
Step-by-step instructions for preparing liqueur at home:
- Separate the red currants from the branches, sort them out and mash them a little without touching the seeds. Transfer to a glass bottle that can be tightly sealed.
- Fill the composition with vodka, close and place in sunlight for 6 weeks. The container must be shaken occasionally to extract as much juice as possible from the berries.
- The next step is to express through several layers of gauze. Squeeze out the grounds from the fruit and discard.
- Separately cook sweet syrup from water and sugar. To do this, simply boil the composition and simmer for 10 minutes.
- After complete cooling, combine both liquids and distribute into bottles. Close tightly.
A richer taste will be obtained after aging in the refrigerator for another 7 days.
Spicy redcurrant liqueur
An ideal liqueur suitable for harsh winters. Spices will help not only warm, but also saturate the taste and aroma.
Ingredients:
- red currants – 1 kg;
- water – 600 ml;
- cinnamon – 1 stick (powder will not work);
- sugar – 1 kg;
- ginger (root) – 8 g;
- vodka or moonshine – 750 ml.
Prepare liqueur according to instructions:
- Sort red currants from rotten berries and debris. Place in a container (preferably glass) along with the spices. Peel the ginger root and chop it into slices, just break the cinnamon stick.
- Pour alcohol over everything and leave in a well-lit place. It will take at least 2 weeks to stand.
- Strain the infusion so that there are no remaining berries and spices in it. To do this, it is better to use gauze folded in several layers.
- Pour granulated sugar into a saucepan, add water and boil, leaving on the fire for another couple of minutes. Cool well.
- Pour red currant tincture with syrup and stir.
After transferring into bottles, give it some more time to stand. Some also add lemon balm leaves and star anise for a more spicy taste.
Lemon redcurrant liqueur
The citrus fruit will help add beneficial properties to the liqueur. It is better to infuse it with the berries, rather than boil it in syrup, in order to preserve the vitamin supply.
Product set:
- red currant variety – 1 kg:
- bee honey – 150 g;
- granulated sugar – 900 g;
- lemon – 1 pc.;
- water – 600 ml;
- vodka – 800 ml.
Detailed description of the liqueur recipe:
- Rinse the lemon well under hot water with a brush to remove the layer of paraffin.Using a grater, remove the zest without touching the white part, which will cause bitterness.
- Separate ripe red currants from the branches, sort and rinse. Drying with a towel is a prerequisite.
- Place everything in a glass bottle or large jar and fill with vodka. Place in a bright place for 3 weeks. Strain.
- Boil syrup from sugar and water. After boiling, add lemon juice and turn off. When it cools down a little, add honey.
- The sweet liquid should be at room temperature before mixing.
Pour into prepared bottles, putting 1 spiral of zest into each bottle and refrigerate for a couple of days.
Quick redcurrant liqueur
There are times when liqueur needs to be prepared right before a holiday. This recipe will tell you how to do it. But only the vitamin composition will be slightly lost.
Ingredients:
- granulated sugar – 600 g;
- green cherry and currant leaves - 10 pcs.;
- peeled red currants – 250 g;
- water – 2 l;
- vodka, cognac or diluted drinking alcohol – 500 ml;
- citric acid – 1.5 tsp.
Step-by-step liqueur recipe:
- Pour the red currants, which were prepared in advance, into an enamel bowl along with the leaves, torn by hand.
- Pour in water and place on the stove. Cook for half an hour over low heat, cool slightly and strain, preferably using a piece of gauze.
- Add citric acid and sugar. Stir until all crystals are completely dissolved, and if necessary, heat.
- Mix with vodka only after cooling.
This liqueur is ready to drink almost immediately. You can cool it if you wish.
Redcurrant and grape liqueur
Grapes also speed up the process of making liqueur and also soften its taste.
Product set:
- currants – 3 kg;
- red grapes – 6 kg;
- granulated sugar – 0.5 kg;
- vodka 1 l.
Algorithm of actions:
- Red currants and grapes should be sorted, washed and dried. They are then passed through a juicer.
- Heat the juice a little on the stove to dissolve the sugar in it. Transfer the composition into a bottle, attach a glove with a small hole to it, and place it in a dark place for 10 days. During this time, the drink will ferment and sometimes you will need to shake it.
- Strain the liqueur, pour in vodka for strength.
Place bottled in the refrigerator.
Redcurrant and cherry leaf liqueur
Cherry leaves will help enhance the taste and aroma in this liqueur recipe, and lemon will not only add sourness, but will also help the drink last longer.
Ingredients:
- vodka – 1 l;
- cherry leaves – 10 pcs.;
- raspberry leaves – 20 pcs.;
- citric acid – 1 tsp;
- sugar – 500 g;
- red currant – 500 g.
Liquor preparation process:
- Rinse red currants under the tap and scatter on a towel to dry.
- Rinse the leaves too, place in boiling water and simmer covered for about 20 minutes. After cooling, strain and mix with citric acid.
- Mash the fruits a little and add sugar.
- As soon as they begin to produce juice, pour in the broth and vodka.
- Leave it covered, preferably in a glass container, for a month.
After filtering, pour into a convenient container.
Contraindications
You should pay attention to contraindications for people suffering from stomach diseases. There is no need to take risks with ulcers or gastritis. Liqueur thins the blood, which can harm a person with poor clotting ability.
It is prohibited for children and women expecting replenishment and breastfeeding to drink alcoholic beverages.
Terms and conditions of storage
There is an opinion that all liqueurs are stored for a long period. But over time, it loses not only its color, but also its taste and beneficial qualities. Room temperature is considered optimal, since in a cold place it will simply thicken. As a last resort, it is placed in the refrigerator immediately before use. You should also avoid direct sunlight and shaking the bottle.
By following these rules, the drink will easily retain its qualities for a year when closed and up to 3 months if it is opened.
Conclusion
Redcurrant liqueur will become a frequent guest on the holiday table. A drink made with your own hands gives you confidence in quality. Pleasant color, aroma and taste will surprise guests.
