Learn how to make your own apple liquor! With only 3 ingredients, you can prepare this delicious liquor with a deep and fruity apple flavor. It's perfect to warm up on cold winter evenings! You can also use this liquor as a base for apple sour, cocktails, and more!
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Have you ever thought about making your own liquor at home? It's not only fun, but it's also cheaper than store-bought and tastes so much better!
Plus it makes the perfect homemade gift for Christmas! Simply filter your liquor, bottle it in nice jars, and attach a label!
🥃 What is a Liquor
A liqueur is an alcoholic drink prepared from a neutral spirit and flavorings such as fruits, spices, herbs, vegetables, or flowers. It is usually sweetened and served as an appetizer or with dessert.
🥣 How to Make Apple Liquor
This recipe requires just 3 basic ingredients you probably already have on hand:
- Apples - While I went with Fuji apples here, any variety will work! You can use Golden Delicious, Jonagold, Honeycrisp, or even Granny Smith for a more sour liquor! You could even combine different varieties, so feel free to experiment.
- Alcohol - For the alcohol, you want to use a neutral, flavorless spirit with about 30% ABV (alcohol by volume). You can use vodka or shochu. Do not use alcohol with a lower ABV or your liquor might turn bad.
- Sugar - Preferably rock sugar for a subtle caramel flavor and a deeper color.
Steps to prepare the liquor:
- Let the apples soak in water for 25-30 minutes. This step will not only help clean the apples, but also remove some of the pesticide residues.
- Next, drain the apples and pat them dry.
- Slice the apples into thick slices. I usually cut each apple in half and them cut each half into thirds.
- Layer the apple slices and the rock sugar in a clean glass jar. I used this 2-L glass jar that can also double as a decoration item for your kitchen.
- Place in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Let the liquor infuse for at least 2 months.
The liquor needs to rest for at least 2 months in order to get a deep apple flavor. At first, it will only taste and smell alcohol, but as time passes, the apple flavor becomes more dominant.
I also tasted the liquor at the 3-month mark and the flavor was even better, so be patient!
After 2-3 months, you can filter it and transfer it to a nice glass bottle.
🍹 How to Enjoy this Apple Liquor
- On the rocks: If you want to experience the true flavors of this liquor, serving it with ice is the way to go.
- As an apple sour: Add a squeeze of lime to your glass of apple liquor.
- With soda water: For a sparkling and lighter beverage! You could even serve it with sparkling lemonade!
- In cocktails: Be creative and use this apple liquor as a base for cocktails!
💬 FAQ
- How long does this liquor keep? Once filtered, this liquor will keep for months, if not indefinitely! Both, the sugar and alcohol act as a natural preservative.
- Should I keep it refrigerated? There is no need to keep the liquor in your refrigerator, you can keep it at room temperature with no issue.
- Which variety of apple works best for this liquor? Any variety will work! Just be aware that the sweeter the apples, the sweeter your liquor will be.
- Can I use regular sugar instead of the rock sugar? Yes, you can use white sugar if that is what you have on hand, however I recommend the use of rock sugar for a superior flavor.
I hope you are going to love this liquor as much as I do! It's fruity, sweet, and packed with apple flavor! A delicious drink to enjoy during the colder days!
🍸 More Drink Recipes
Let me know in the comments if you try this recipe!
📖 Recipe
Homemade Apple Liquor
Ingredients
- 4 medium apples any type of apple will work, use your favorite variery
- 7 ounces rock sugar
- 3 cups vodka or rice wine It should be about 30% alcohol.
Instructions
- Fill a large bowl of water and place the whole apples in it. Let it soak for 20-30 minutes.
- Rinse the apples and pat them dry. Cut the apples into thick slices (about 6 slices per apple). Remove most of the seeds.
- To a clean glass jar (I used this 2-L glass jar), add half of the rock sugar and top with half of the apple slices. Repeat this step one more time.
- Pour the vodka into the jar and close with the lid. Keep the jar in a cool and dry place away from direct sunlight. Let the liquor infuse for at least 2 months, preferably 3 months for a deeper flavor.
- You can then strain the apples and transfer the liquor to a clean bottle. This apple liquor will keep for several months at room temperature.
Would a couple of cinnamon sticks work in this, as well as the apples?
Definitely!