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How to Make Limoncello, Apple + Asian Pear Liquors

🥄 Beginner

Apple Liquor 🍎
Asian Pear Liquor 🍐
Limoncello 🍋

I look forward to apple picking every year. My son Frith and I set out to find the most delicious and ripe apples. We carefully make our way down the aisles of the orchard sampling fallen fruit until I hear:

“Mommy, this one!”

Then, Frith climbs to the top of a tree and drops me fruit. We repeat this process again and again and inevitably I think:

“After the apple pie, apple crisp, apple dumplings and apple sauce, what am I gonna do with all these apples?”

This Fall it came to me. I’d make apple liquor with the rest of our pickings and while I was at it, why not also make Asian pear liquor and my favorite… Limoncello?!

Of note, these recipes are intentionally made with grain alcohol (at least 90 proof), not vodka (80 proof). The irony here is that when you use a higher proof / higher alcohol spirit your finished product actually tastes smoother. I know! You’d think making liquors with high proof alcohol would make them too harsh but trust me! The finished product will be sweet, smooth, balanced, and bursting with the fruit flavor you’ve made it with.

Three Flaweless Recipes

Apple Liquor

INFUSION INGREDIENTS

3 pounds apples, cut into quarters

750 mL bottle plus 2 cups of grain spirit (at least 90 proof)

3 cups brandy

INFUSION METHOD

  1. Cut apples into quarters - no need to remove skins or seeds.

  2. Place apple quarters in a large, wide-mouth gallon jar.

  3. Pour grain alcohol and brandy over fruit.

  4. Cover, label with the date and store to infuse for the next month+.

INGREDIENTS - FINISH

5 1/2 cups water

3 cups sugar

METHOD TO FINISH & BOTTLE

  1. Strain liquid from apples using a fine mesh sieve.

  2. Pour strained liquid into another wide mouth gallon jar.

  3. Combine sugar and water in a saucepan, boil for 5 - 10 minutes until sugar has dissolved. Cool.

  4. Pour cooled mixture onto strained apple liquor base.

  5. Bottle, using a funnel, into glass jars - large or small.

  6. Store in freezer and enjoy! - it will get better with age!

TIP: Flaweless to use in baking and sauces for pork or turkey gravy. I also love to make a cocktail with 2oz bourbon and 1oz apple liquor. -shake and serve over ice.

Asian Pear Liquor

INFUSION INGREDIENTS

3 pounds Asian pears, cut in half

750 mL bottle of grain spirit

2 3/4 cups Calvados

INFUSION METHOD

  1. Cut Asian pears into halves- no need to remove skins or seeds.

  2. Place Asian pear halves into a large, wide-mouth gallon jar.

  3. Pour grain alcohol and Calvados over fruit.

  4. Cover, label with the date and store to infuse for the next month+.

INGREDIENTS - FINISH

5 1/2 cups water

3 cups sugar

METHOD TO FINISH & BOTTLE

  1. Strain liquid from Asian pears using a fine mesh sieve.

  2. Pour strained liquid into another wide mouth gallon jar.

  3. Combine sugar and water in a saucepan, boil for 5 - 10 minutes until sugar has dissolved. Cool.

  4. Pour cooled mixture onto strained Asian Pear liquor base.

  5. Bottle, using a funnel, into glass jars - large or small.

  6. Store in freezer and enjoy! - it will get better with age!

TIP: Also Flaweless to use in baking and over ice cream.

Limoncello

INFUSION INGREDIENTS

12 lemons, thoroughly scrubbed, then peeled

750 mL bottle of grain spirit (at least 90 proof)

INFUSION METHOD

  1. Wash lemons thoroughly.

  2. Peel lemons into strips using gentle pressure. -ONLY the yellow part of the peel should be used. Be careful to avoid the white pith as it will cause bitterness in your Limoncello.

  3. Place peels into a large, wide-mouth gallon jar.

  4. Cover peels with grain alcohol.

  5. Cover, label with the date and store to infuse for the next month+.

INGREDIENTS - FINISH

3 1/2 cups water

2 1/2 cups sugar

METHOD TO FINISH & BOTTLE

  1. Strain liquid from lemon peels using a fine mesh sieve.

  2. Pour strained liquid into another wide mouth gallon jar.

  3. Combine sugar and water in a saucepan, boil for 5 - 10 minutes until sugar has dissolved. Cool.

  4. Pour cooled mixture onto strained lemon peel liquor base. It will turn cloudy which is supposed to happen.

  5. Bottle, using a funnel, into glass jars - large or small.

  6. Store in freezer and enjoy!

NOTE: Also Flaweless to enjoy over crepes, pancakes and ice cream!