Email to Cat      

Strawberry Cordial

Source of Recipe

From "Food Gift Love" by Maggie Battista


Recipe Introduction

"After putting up plenty of preserves with wild early summer strawberries, I turn my attention to this Strawberry Cordial. It's quite similar to my Rhubarb Cordial but requires less time infusing since strawberries tend to give up their essence rather quickly, fresh little things. Drink it over ice or mix it into a strawberry-infused sparkling Sangria; use it to enhance a fruit salad or drizzle over ice cream. For another flavor idea, consider adding lemon slices or rosemary sprigs. Also, try supplementing the infusion with other berries - raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries all mesh well with strawberries - or try another spirit like white rum or gin."

List of Ingredients

• 2 pints (about 1 pound) strawberries, washed
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 (750-ml) bottle vodka



Recipe

Hull the strawberries, removing and discarding the green core and green leaves. Pile the strawberries into a clean (at least 2-quart) jar. Add the sugar and vodka. Stir to combine. Store in a cool, dark spot in your kitchen and stir every 3 to 4 days. The sugar will dissolve over the next week.

After 7 days, open your jar and taste. The sugar should have dissolved, and the taste should be sweet. Strain the cordial, discarding the strawberries. If you'd like to remove any tiny particles, strain again through cheesecloth or a coffee filter.

Pour your Strawberry Cordial into a new glass jar, or divide among several small ones, 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 or in a tiny cordial glass, or use as a base to a little sparkling wine cocktail.


Gift Wrap:

• Glass bottle with airtight lid
• Masking tape
• String

Transfer the Strawberry Cordial to a clean, pretty bottle. Wipe the rim and seal. Write the label on masking tape and adhere it to the bottle. Wrap string around the bottle a few times and tie it in a knot. Leave the string long so the recipient may reuse.