Homemade Grand Marnier Recipe

(Work in Progress)

A little while back, I started working on a recipe to make my own orange liqueur similar to grand marnier to use in my margarita recipe.  It is a 6 month proccess.  Here's the recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup Orange Zest (Organic Seville Oranges)
• 1/2 cup White Sugar
• 2 cups Brandy or Cognac(Paul Masson VSOP Grande Amber Brandy/Cognac blend)
• 1/2 tsp Glycerine

Instructions

Step 1:  (7/31/12)

1. Zest enough oranges to get 1/3 cup of orange zest.
2. Place orange zest and sugar in a small bowl.
3. Muddle the zest and sugar until the sugar is absorbed into the zest.
4. Place in a glass jar.
5. Add the brandy or cognac and the glycerine.
6. Stir ingredients.
7. Store in a cool, dark place for 2 to 3 months, shaking monthly.

Step 2:  (anticipated after 9/31/12)

1. Strain and filter the infusion.
2. Stir to combine.
3. Age 3 months before serving.

Notes:
Seville oranges are the traditional oranges to use in making this orange liqueur.  However, you can use any oranges.  The glycerine is optional and it's for texture.

Dirty Vodka Infusion Recipe

I'm not much of a fan of olives, but my girlfriend likes her martinis dirty.  So, I'm infusing this vodka for use in making vodka martinis.  Not only should this make the perfect vodka for a dirty martini, but I'll be able to reuse the olives and onions as garnishes.

Ingredients:

• 1 jar Whole Green Olives with Pimentos
• 1 jar Cocktail Onions
• 1 jar Fire Roasted Red Peppers
• Vodka (Skyy)

Instructions:

1. Layer the olives, red peppers, and onions in a glass jar.
2. Fill to cover with vodka.
3. Allow to infuse for 1 month before using.

Notes:
I began this infusion on 8/12/12.

Orange Juice Liqueur

(Work in Progress)

This is another liqueur that I am attempting to make to go into my Margarita Martini recipe.  The idea is to make a margarita-flavored martini using this Orange Juice Liqueur, the Lime Tequila that I'm developing, and limoncello.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups (6-7 oranges) freshly squeezed Orange Juice (organic seville oranges)
• Zest of one Orange
• 3/4 cup Vodka (Skyy)
• 3/4 cup Brandy or Cognac (Paul Masson VSOP Grande Amber Brandy/Cognac blend)
• 1 cup Simple Syrup

Instructions:
Step 1:  (7/31/12)

1. Zest one orange.
2. Juice and strain enough oranges to get 1 1/2 cups of orange juice.
3. Combine the juice, zest, vodka, and brandy or cognac in a glass container.
4. Place in fridge for 4 weeks.

Step 2:  (Anticipated 8/28/12)

1. Strain and filter.
2. Add simple syrup.
3. Bottle and return to fridge for a minimum of 1 week before serving.

Lime Tequila

(Work in Progress)

So, the other day I had an idea for a Margarita Martini.  I want the margarita flavor, but in a more traditional martini format.  My idea is to make this drink entirely from homemade liqueurs.  I plan on using limoncello, an orange liqueur, and a tequila-based lime liqueur.

This Lime Tequila recipe is based on the concept of limoncello:

Ingredients:

• 7 limes
• 1 cup Silver Tequila (1800)
• 1 cup White Sugar

Instructions:

Step 1:  (Completed 7/31/12)

1. Zest the limes.
2. Juice the limes.
3. Strain any pulp out of the lime juice.
4. Dissolve the sugar into the lime juice.
5. Combine zest, tequila, and lime juice/sugar mixture in glass container.
6. Place in fridge for a minimum of 45 days.

Step 2:  (Anticipated)

Filter the liquer.

I hope that this will produce a nice, sweet, lime-flavored tequila liqueur.  I'll let you know how it turns out.

Check back later for information on the orange liqueurs that I am working on.