Cumquat Liqueur

Make golden cumquat liqueur with vodka or brandy, citrus fruit and sugar—a thoughtful homemade Christmas gift with simple steps and metric and US measurements.

CHRISTMAS

10/15/20262 min read

Champagne and martini glasses filled with sparkling water and fresh orange kumquats for a festive citrus cocktail.

Cumquat Liqueur: Golden Sunshine in a Bottle

If you've got a cumquat tree out the back, or a neighbour who does, you'll know the problem: too many tiny, sharp, glowing orange fruit and not enough to do with them. Cumquat liqueur is the answer. The fruit soaks in vodka or brandy with a little sugar for a few weeks, and slowly turns into a sweet, bitter-orange, golden liqueur that's lovely in a small glass after dinner.

It's very simple, but it does need time. Six weeks is the minimum, eight is even better, so this is one to start early. It's for adults only, and it makes a wonderfully thoughtful gift for someone who likes something a bit different.

Suits a summer or a winter Christmas: over ice with soda in the heat, or in a tiny glass after dinner when it's cold. Start 6 to 8 weeks ahead: 30 October for 8 weeks, and 13 November at the very latest.

Troubleshooting

A Note for Adults

This liqueur is for adults only. Please label it clearly, store it well away from children and only give it to people who'd welcome it. Alcohol laws vary from country to country and state to state. A homemade bottle is a gift, not something to sell.

Variations

• Vanilla Cumquat: add half a split vanilla bean to the jar.

• Spiced Cumquat: add a cinnamon stick and 2 whole cloves.

• Mandarin Liqueur: use thin-skinned mandarins in place of cumquats, with the peel and fruit chopped.

• Brandy Cumquats: use brandy for a darker, richer drink for winter.

Kim's Tips ♥

• ♥ Freeze the fruit overnight. It's easier and quicker than pricking each one.

• ♥ Choose a big jar. The fruit takes up more room than you'd think.

• ♥ Write the start date on the jar lid, so you know exactly when it's ready.

• ♥ Taste a spoonful at 6 weeks. Waiting another week or two can make it much smoother.

• ♥ Cloudy? Let it settle and decant slowly.

• ♥ Collect cumquats from neighbours' trees (ask first!) and freeze them as they ripen.

• ♥ Small bottles make more gifts and are easier to wrap.

• ♥ Keep one bottle for yourself. It gets better with age.

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This post is part of my Edible Gifts From the Kitchen series. You can check out more gifts like these, along with loads of Christmas recipes here.

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With love, Kim xx

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