My neighboring blogger Nicki of www.nickisnook.com mentioned that time got the best of her and she didn’t have the time to get the 30 day cordials made for gift giving this year. Never fear! I found a quick version that passes the taste test!

Now, you know this is not normally my way of doing things. I am food purist to the highest power, but even I need a shortcut here and there and this one, well, it just rocks. I wasn’t going to share, but it is too good to keep to myself.

You’ll need to head to Wegman’s or Tom’s gifts for coffee syrups. Get the very best you can afford because they really have a better flavor. Here is what you need to do…

For each fifth of your cordial…

1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup water
1 cup of 100 proof vodka
1/2 cup brandy
3/4 cup of your flavored syrup

Combine your syrup, vodka and brandy in a 1 quart jar. Next, make a simple syrup by heating your sugar and water in a sauce pan. Let that simple syrup cool to just barely warm and add it to your liquor/flavored syrup. Close your jar tightly and give it a gentle shake to combine. There! You have a lovely cordial. We have tried:

hazelnut
blueberry
raspberry
cherry
cinnamon

Some you may want to chill, others not. It is a taste preference really. This recipe is also a GREAT one to keep in mind when last minute guest come for dinner. Make a quick version, stash it in the freezer and pour atop ice cream, or drizzle over your pie. SO GOOD!

I hope you’ll have fun experimenting with this quick and easy recipe this holiday season and spread some cheer to family and friends.

Colleen
The Farm at Nanticoke Creek
www.farmatnaticokecreek.com

In keeping with our cordial making, I set up four jars of Lemon Liqueur today. If you are waiting to try one of these, make it this one….it tastes so amazing any time of the year! I don’t have a pic handy, I’ll try to snap one later and post it for you. Here is the recipe:

Here is what you need:

1 c spring or distilled water
2 c sugar
4 T lemon zest
1/2 c fresh squeezed lemon juice
1 1/2 c 100 proof vodka

***notes***

• we use organic lemons or Meyer lemons when in season
• lemons are zested using a fine micro plane grater to avoid any white pith. This is VERY important. The pith will add bitterness.
• use a good vodka, the taste matters here

Make a simple syrup by boiling the sugar and water over medium high heat until the mixture becomes clear, do not over heat this or you will end up with caramel . Remove the simple syrup from the heat and allow it to cool to a just warm temperature and pour into a clean 1 quart jar with a tight fitting lid. Add the zest, vodka and lemon juice and stir. Seal the jar and store in a cool dark place for at least 4 weeks…6 weeks is best. After your wait is over strain the solids and decant. Store in the freezer and serve ICE cold.

To serve we rim a chilled martini glass with sugar infused with lemon balm.

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE-make at least two batches.