AQUAVIT

Aquavit image

Provided by Stacy Goodall

Time 15m

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 tsp caraway seeds
2 tsp fennel seeds
2 cardamom pods, crushed
2 whole cloves
1 medium lemon, rinsed and dried
1 medium orange, rinsed and dried
1 bottle (750 ml) bottle vodka (pick a drinkable brand)
1 tsp granulated sugar

Steps:

1. Toast caraway, fennel, cardamom, and cloves in a small frying pan over medium heat. Shake occasionally until fragrant, around 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.
2. Use a vegetable peeler to remove a quarter of the peel from both the lemon and orange. Avoid removing the white pith; set the peels aside.
3. Remove about 2 tablespoons of the vodka from the bottle. Either drink it or discard it. I say drink it!
4. Place the toasted spices, lemon and orange peels, and sugar into the bottle with the vodka. Cover tightly.
5. Let the vodka infuse at room temperature (choose a spot that is neither too warm nor too cold) for about 2 weeks. Turn and gently shaking the bottle once a day. After 2 weeks, taste the aquavit; let it stand longer as needed.
6. Strain the aquavit through a fine-mesh strainer into a large liquid measuring cup; discard the solids. Transfer the strained aquavit to a clean bottle with a tightfitting lid and store it in the freezer.