Details and Free Recipes

"How to Make Quality Liqueurs & Cordials at Home" by Brent Huesers

	Amaretto is the most popular nut liqueur on the market. It is flavored with apricot-nut-meats, which have an almond-like flavor. The liqueur was invented in the 1500’s and, needless to say, has withstood the test of time. There are many Amaretto imitators on the market; they all vary in sugar and alcohol content, and flavorings. Tastes just like Phillips® Amaretto. • Store cost $10 plus Make for $4 or less Level of difficulty: Easy Preparation: Under 1 hour Aging: 2 weeks or less Many uses: Drinks: Alabama Slammer, Screaming Orgasm; Cakes, Cookies, etc. 28% alc./vol. (56º) - 750 ml.

	Anisette is one of the simplest liqueurs you can make. You will love this one if you are a black licorice fan. Try it Anisette makes some interesting drinks. Tastes just like DeKuyper’s® Anisette. Store cost $10 plus Make for $3 or less Level of difficulty: Easy Preparation: Under 1 hour Aging: None Many uses: Drinks: Jelly Bean, London Fog; Cookies, etc. 30% alc./vol. (60º) - 750 ml. Free Recipe below...One of ten recipes included in, "How to Make Quality Liqueurs & Cordials at Home". Anisette Recipe 15.7 oz. (466 ml.) 100° proof Vodka (non-flavored) 7 drops anise oil 9.6 oz. (284 ml.) simple syrup 1 tsp. (5 ml.) glycerin (optional) Add alcohol to the bottle in which the anisette will be stored; add anise oil and shake vigorously until all oil is dissolved (1 min.) Add the rest of the ingredients and again shake well. Presto—it's ready to drink!

	Cherry Liqueur is one of the most rewarding, whole-flavored liqueurs you can make. There are many varieties of cherry liqueurs on the market; this recipe is a general simulation of many. It is excellent when sipped or in mixed drinks. Make during cherry season to keep the cost reasonable. Well worth the time and effort. Store cost $13 plus Make for $5 or less Level of difficulty: Mediate Preparation: Macerate 2-3 weeks. Aging: 2 weeks, the more the better Many uses: Drinks: Pink Squirrel, Lifesaver, AAA; Desserts, Toppings, etc. Recipe is a simulation of many 24% alc./vol. (48º) - 750 ml. Free Recipe below...One of ten recipes included in, "How to Make Quality Liqueurs & Cordials at Home". Cherry Liqueur Recipe 2½ c., (591 ml.) sweet cherries (Bing) 12.7 oz., (376 ml.) 100° proof Vodka (non-flavored) 5 oz., (148 ml.) simple syrup 2-6 drops lemon extract Into a quart jar, add cherries that have been cut in half and pitted. Add alcohol and water to cover cherries. Macerate—tightly covered 2 to 3 weeks at room temperature, shaking daily. Filter through cheesecloth and then through a coffee filter; add simple syrup and lemon extract (optional). Next add (top with) water to bring the total volume up to 25.4 ounces. The liqueur is very good at this point; it will become smoother if it is aged for a few weeks or more. Note: You can also make this recipe using 80° vodka, 16 oz. (476 ml.).

	Coconut flavored liqueurs are not extremely popular but for those coconut lovers out there, this one will hit the spot. The flavor is similar to that of an Almond Joy candy bar. Great for sipping or to add an extra kick to some of your favorite drinks. Store cost $10 plus Make for $5 or less Level of difficulty: Mediate Preparation: Macerate 2-3 weeks Aging: 3 weeks Many uses: Drinks: Coconut God, Tipsy Turtle; Pies, etc. 28% alc./vol. (56º) - 750 ml.

	Coffee Liqueur has been around since the late 1800’s. Its popularity is as widespread as plain coffee is. Kahlúa® a Mexican invention is very sweet, smooth and syrupy with a deep mahogany color. Although many families have a favorite coffee liqueur recipe I couldn't justly leave it out, as it deserves a place in every liqueur book. Tastes just like Mexican Kahlúa®. Store cost $18 plus Make for $4 or less Level of difficulty: Easy Preparation: Under 1 hour Aging: Minimum 2 weeks, the longer the better Many uses: Drinks: Black & White Russian, Screaming Orgasm, Toasted Almond, B-52, Tequila Paralyzer; Desserts, etc. 26.5% alc./vol. (53º) - 750 ml.

	Crème de Banana is a popular liqueur with many uses. It can be used to enhance any dessert, drink or cake which uses bananas. Crème de Banana can be made from whole bananas the results are quite different though. The flavor is very heavy and the smell pungent, and also difficult to filter. I have chosen to use an imitation banana extract which is readily available. Tastes just like DeKuyper's® Crème de Banana. Simple and unique try it. Store cost $10 plus Make for $3 or less Level of difficulty: Easy Preparation: Under 1 hour Aging: None Many uses: Drinks: Top Banana, Banana Cow, Banshee; Desserts: Bananas Foster, etc. 28% alc./vol. (56º) - 750 ml. Free Recipe below...One of ten recipes included in, "How to Make Quality Liqueurs & Cordials at Home". 9.3 oz., (275 ml.) 153° proof Vodka or Everclear (non-flavored) 5 tsp., (25 ml.) banana extract (Schilling® brand is fine) 6.7 oz., (198 ml.) water (use distilled water) 8.5 oz., (251 ml.) simple syrup 1 drop yellow food color 14 drops caramel color (optional) Make in the bottle in which is will be stored. Add alcohol, water and syrup to the bottle, shake well. Add extract and color and again shake well. No aging required. That is all it takes—It is ready to enjoy!

	Crème de Cacao is one of the most popular mixing liqueurs. It can successfully be used in almost any drink imaginable. It has a smooth chocolate and vanilla bean flavor with a dark mahogany color. Crème de cacao is available in both dark and white (clear) varieties color is their only difference. It is not possible in this recipe to produce a completely clear variety. Tastes just like DeKuyper’s® Crème de Cacao. Store cost $9 plus Make for $4 or less Level of difficulty: Easy Preparation: Under 1 hour Aging: 2 weeks Many uses: Drinks: Alexander, The Squirrel, Smith & Kerns; Cakes, Desserts,etc. 27% alc./vol. (54º) - 750 ml.

	Crème de Menthe one of the most popular liqueurs is actually quite easy to simulate. The majority of home recipes use peppermint as the flavoring ingredient and no other. But there is another mint that is required spearmint. Spearmint somewhat masks the peppermint flavor while sweetening and smoothing out the entire composition. Spearmint is very powerful and if you add too much, you’re going to get the flavor of toothpaste! Tastes just like DeKuyper's® Crème de Menthe. Store cost $9 plus Make for $3 or less Level of difficulty: Easy Preparation: Under 1 hour Aging: None Many uses: Drinks: Grasshopper, Amaretto Stinger, Rattlesnake; Desserts, Toppings, etc. 30% alc./vol. (60º) - 750 ml.

	Irish Cream, Baileys®, is a fairly new edition to the liqueur market. Its popularity is widespread and growing stronger every year. It’s not difficult to make Irish cream if you have access to a homogenization machine without it well, that’s another story. Homogenization allows alcohol, cream and other ingredients to form an emulsion so that the cream (mostly fat) will not separate out; this increases stability and shelf life. It has taken a tremendous amount of research and testing to bring you this recipe. Its flavor, texture, color, etc., are similar to Baileys Light ®Irish Cream. The fat content is very low. Enjoy! Store cost $18 plus Make for $5 or less Level of difficulty: Easy Preparation: Under 1 hour Aging: 3 days Many uses: Drinks: Slippery Nipple, Cement Mixer, Orgasm, Poison Milk; Cookies, Cakes, Desserts, Breads, etc. Tastes just like Baileys Light® Irish Cream, (Lower fat content than regular Baileys). 17% alc./vol. (34º) - 750 ml.

	Orange Curaçao traditionally is made from the peels of the bitter oranges from the island Curaçao. Today there are many variations of this old favorite on the market. Orange Curaçao can be colored orange, blue or left clear (white). Tastes just like DeKuyper's® Orange Curaçao. Store cost $9 plus Make for $4 or less Level of difficulty: Easy Preparation: Under 1 hour Aging: 2 days Many uses: Drinks: Blue Hawaiian, Mai Tai, Lifesaver, Cherry Blossom, etc. 30% alc./vol. (60º) - 750 ml.