There’s something supremely satisfying about making your own cordial at home. It’s a process that allows you to infuse your love, care, and creativity into a delectable drink that’s uniquely yours. Today, I want to share with you my recipe for Red Raspberry Cordial – a sweet, tangy concoction that’s perfect for jazzing up your cocktails or mocktails. This recipe harks back to simpler times when homemade cordials were a staple in every home. Bursting with the fresh, fruity flavor of raspberries, this cordial is a treat for your taste buds and a feast for your eyes with its vibrant red hue. But what I love most about this recipe is the anticipation it builds. It takes four months for the cordial to reach its peak flavor – a wait that’s well worth it once you taste the end result. Join me in rediscovering the joy of homemade drinks with this easy, delightful recipe!
Ingredients
- 4 c. raspberries
- 4 c. sugar
- 2 c. gin or vodka
Infusion Process
- In a 1-gallon jar fitted with a lid, combine the raspberries, sugar and the gin.
- Stir the mixture well.
- Secure the lid.
- Let mixture stand, stirring it once a week, for 4 months.
- Strain the mixture through a cheesecloth lined sieve into a pitcher, pressing hard on the solids.
- Return it to the jar.
- Makes about 4 cups.
Calorie: 200
Total cooking time: 4 months
Difficulty level: Easy
The Saga of the Red Raspberry Cordial
Let me tell you, my fellow food enthusiasts, about the time I decided to make Red Raspberry Cordial. Now, this was not your everyday, run-of-the-mill, Sunday afternoon recipe. No, this was an epic, patience-testing, will-I-ever-see-the-end-of-this, kind of recipe. But, I digress. Let’s get started, shall we?
The Not-So-Simple Ingredients
What you’ll need for this little undertaking are 4 c. raspberries, 4 c. sugar, and 2 c. of gin or vodka. Now, you might be thinking, “Just three ingredients? This is a walk in the park!” Well, hold your horses, my friend. As it turns out, it’s not the quantity of the ingredients that matters, but the time you need to wait for the magic to happen.
The Mixing Marathon
So, as directed, I took a 1-gallon jar fitted with a lid and dumped in the raspberries, sugar, and vodka. You can use gin if you prefer, but I’m a vodka sort of gal. I stirred the mixture with the enthusiasm of a kid on a sugar rush, making sure everything was well combined. After that, I secured the lid and did what any reasonable person would do. I waited.
The Waiting Game
And waited. And waited. Stirring the concoction once a week, for 4 months. Yes, you read that right. 4 months! I could have trained for a marathon, learned a new language, or binge-watched every series on Netflix in that time. But no, I was stirring a jar of berries, sugar, and vodka.
The Straining Struggle
After what felt like a lifetime, it was finally time for the next step. I strained the mixture through a cheesecloth-lined sieve into a pitcher, pressing hard on the solids. Now, I don’t know if you’ve ever tried to press a mass of fermented berries through a sieve, but let me tell you, it’s a workout. Who needs a gym membership when you’ve got a stubborn jar of cordial to strain?
The Final Act
Once the battle of the sieve was won, I returned the liquid to the jar. After all that effort, the recipe made about 4 cups of cordial. Yes, you heard me. 4 cups! I couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of it all. All that time, all that effort, for 4 cups of cordial.
But let me tell you, my friends, it was worth it. The Red Raspberry Cordial was sweet, tart, and oh-so-satisfying. It was a testament to patience, perseverance, and the absurd lengths we food lovers will go to for a taste of something special.
So next time you’re feeling adventurous and have a few months to spare, why not try your hand at making Red Raspberry Cordial? Just remember, it’s not about the destination, it’s about the hilarious, sometimes frustrating, but always rewarding journey. Cheers to that!
