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Orange Cordial

Source of Recipe

From "Food Gift Love" by Maggie Battista


Recipe Introduction

"Since margaritas are a 'thing' in my household, a homemade Orange Cordial was decidedly necessary - it's one of the main ingredients in the famous cocktail. My version is less sweet and stronger than the store-bought variety but all the better for your cocktail creations. Use this Orange Cordial as you would Triple Sec or Cointreau in cocktails and martinis. When using in a mixed drink, definitely taste and alter the final product with additional sweetener, if needed."

List of Ingredients

• 3 large Navel oranges, preferably organic
• 1 Tbsp dried bitter orange peel
• 1 Tbsp orange-flower water
• 1 cup brandy
• 2 cups vodka

Simple Syrup (18 days later):
• ½ cup water
• ½ cup granulated sugar


Recipe

With a vegetable peeler, strip off the zest from the oranges, making sure to avoid the white pith. Set the zest aside and reserve one orange for another recipe or your breakfast the next day. Remove the extra white pith from the remaining two oranges, and then slice the oranges horizontally into ½-inch-thick slices.

In a sterilized glass jar (at least 2-quart) with airtight lid, add the orange zest, orange slices, dried bitter orange peel, orange-flower water, brandy, and vodka and seal. Let sit in a dark location at room temperature 18 days.

Strain the liquid into a new sterilized glass jar (or re-sterilize the jar used during the infusion). If you'd like to remove every bit of extra material to lengthen shelf life, strain again through cheesecloth or a coffee filter. Discard the oranges, peel, and zest.

Prepare the simple syrup:
Combine the water and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a low boil, swirling the pan to help the sugar dissolve, about 5 to 7 minutes. Once the sugar has dissolved, remove from the heat and let the syrup cool to room temperature.

Using a funnel, add the simple syrup to your orange cordial mixture and stir. Divide the mixture evenly among three (375-ml) bottles and store at room temperature up to 6 months. You can also put it in the freezer 30 minutes just before serving to ensure that it's ice cold. Serve on its own in a tiny cordial glass, or use as a base to a little sparkling wine cocktail.


Gift Wrap:
• Glass bottle with airtight lid
• Tag
• Ribbon

Transfer the orange cordial to a clean pretty bottle. Wipe the rim and seal. Write the label on a tag. Thread ribbon through the tag. Wrap ribbon around the bottle and tie it in a knot. Leave the ribbon long so the recipient may reuse.