Content
Red currant liqueur is a drink with a pleasant rich taste and medium strength, which connoisseurs prepare at home. He will decorate the table during a holiday or simple gatherings. In addition to these qualities, berries also have beneficial properties. Some recipes do not take a lot of time to cook, and everyone will be happy with the result. Many have their own methods written down in the cookbook, but here are collected the most popular and proven ones, which, perhaps, will also be included in this collection.
The benefits and harms of homemade red currant liqueur
Red currants are less commonly used in 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 that 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 to normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as strengthens the immune system and blood vessel walls, makes the skin and hair look healthy.
Red currant berries perfectly remove toxins and toxins. Potassium will fight swelling. Scientists have proven that fruits have a high content of coumarins and furocoumarins, which have analgesic and antitumor properties.
How to make red currant liqueur at home
The first thing you should pay attention to when cooking is the quality of ripe red currant berries. Any variety is suitable for cooking. However, connoisseurs do not recommend mixing them with the black fruits of the bush in order to preserve the characteristic taste. Can be used frozen. It is better to pour boiling water over the dried raw materials in advance.
You should not listen to people who advise not to pick the currants, believing that spoiled fruits will improve the fermentation process. This red drink can cause digestive upset and taste unpleasant.
The composition contains one of the alcoholic beverages: 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, it is enough to dilute the base with water. High-quality raw materials will not overpower the aroma of red currants with their vapors. By independently changing the recipe, you can get wine or tincture instead of liqueur. 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.
As spices for liqueur, you can use:
- fresh leaves of raspberries, cherries, currants;
- juice and peel of citrus fruits;
- cinnamon, cloves;
- peppermint;
- grapes;
- raspberries.
The preparation process involves up to 2 months, but it can be accelerated by using cognac as an alcohol base.
Red currant liqueur recipes
Below are popular liqueur recipes. The red fruits will be used in various combinations to give a complete picture of the drink.
Classic red currant liqueur recipe
This is the most common method of making liqueur and does not involve many ingredients.
Composition:
- vodka (40%) - 750 ml;
- sugar - 1 kg;
- currants (red variety) - 1 kg;
- water - 750 ml;
- currant foliage (no damage) - 10 pcs.
Step-by-step instructions for making liquor at home:
- Separate the red currants from the twigs, sort out and knead a little, without touching the seeds. Transfer to a glass bottle that can be tightly sealed.
- Pour the composition with vodka, cover and put in the sun for 6 weeks. The container needs to be shaken occasionally in order to take as much juice from the berry as possible.
- The next step is to pump through several layers of gauze. Squeeze the thick of the fruits and discard.
- Separately boil the 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 to bottles. Close tightly.
A richer taste will be obtained after keeping in the refrigerator for another 7 days.
Spicy red currant liqueur
Ideal liqueur variant suitable for severe winters. Spices will help not only to warm, but also to saturate the taste and aroma.
Ingredients:
- red currant - 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 liquor according to the instructions:
- Sort out red currants from rotten berries and debris. Fold in a container (preferably glass) with spices. Peel and chop the ginger root into slices, just break the cinnamon stick.
- Pour everything with alcohol and leave in a well-lit place. It will take at least 2 weeks to withstand.
- Strain the infusion so that there are no remnants of berries and spices in it. For this, it is better to use cheesecloth 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, stir.
After transferring to bottles, let stand still. Some add lemon balm leaves and star anise stars for a more spicy taste.
Lemon red currant liqueur
The citrus fruit will help add health benefits to the liquor. It is better to infuse it with the berry, rather than boil it in syrup in order to preserve the vitamin reserve.
Product set:
- red currant - 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 wax layer. Remove the zest with a grater without touching the white part, which will give bitterness.
- Separate the ripe red currants from the twigs, sort out and rinse. Drying with a towel will be a prerequisite.
- Put everything in a glass bottle or large jar, pour vodka. Place in a bright place for 3 weeks. Strain.
- Boil sugar and water syrup. After boiling, add lemon juice and turn off. When it cools down a little, dilute with honey.
- The sweet liquid should be at room temperature before mixing.
Pour into prepared bottles, dropping 1 zest spiral into each and put in the cold for a couple of days.
Fast red currant liqueur
There are times when liqueur needs to be prepared right before the holiday. This recipe will show 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 recipe for liqueur:
- Pour the red currants, which have been prepared in advance, into an enamel bowl along with the leaves torn by hands.
- Pour in water and place on the stove. Cook for half an hour over low heat, cool slightly and strain, preferably using a gauze cut.
- Sprinkle citric acid with sugar. Stir until all crystals are completely dissolved, and if necessary, warm up.
- Mix with vodka only after cooling.
This liqueur is ready to drink almost immediately. You can cool if desired.
Red currant and grape liqueur
Grapes also speed up the process of making liquor, 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 out, washed and dried. Then they are passed through a juicer.
- Heat the juice a little on the stove to dissolve the sugar in it. Transfer the composition to a bottle, on which to tie a glove with a small hole, put in a dark place for 10 days. During this time, the drink will ferment, sometimes it will need to be shaken.
- Strain the liqueur, pour in vodka for strength.
Place in bottles in the refrigerator.
Liqueur of red currant and cherry leaves
Cherry leaves will help to enhance the taste and aroma in this liqueur recipe, and lemon will not only add sourness, but also give the drink a longer shelf life.
Ingredients:
- vodka - 1 l;
- cherry leaves - 10 pcs.;
- raspberry leaves - 20 pcs.;
- citric acid - 1 tsp;
- sugar - 500 g;
- red currant - 500 g.
Liqueur preparation process:
- Rinse red currant berries under the tap and scatter on a towel to dry.
- Rinse the leaves too, put in boiling water and simmer under the lid for about 20 minutes. After cooling, strain and mix with citric acid.
- Mash the fruits a little, cover with sugar.
- As soon as they start giving juice, pour in the broth and vodka.
- Leave it sealed, preferably in a glass container for a month.
After filtration, pour into a convenient container.
Contraindications
Attention should be paid to contraindications for people suffering from stomach diseases. There is no need to risk an ulcer or gastritis. Liquor thins the blood, which can harm a person with poor clotting ability.
It is forbidden to drink alcoholic beverages for children and women who are awaiting replenishment and breastfeeding.
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 color, but also taste and useful qualities. The room temperature is considered optimal, since in a cold place it will simply thicken. As a last resort, put it in the refrigerator just before use. You should also avoid direct sunlight and shaking the bottle.
Observing these rules, the drink will easily retain its qualities for a year when unopened and up to 3 months if opened.
Conclusion
Red currant liqueur will become a frequent guest on the festive table. A self-made drink gives confidence in quality. Pleasant color, aroma and taste will surprise guests.
