The time is NOW!   Tis the season and that’s the reason for making……Peach Liqueur.  Get the ripest peaches you can find, and a bottle of spirits, and you have the makings for a liqueur, that will knock your socks off.  It’s that good, honestly!

WHAT YOU NEED:

750-ml bottle of brandy, vodka, rum, tequila, or Cognac

12 peaches

Simple sugar syrup made from 2 cups sugar, and 1 cup water.

WHAT YOU DO:

1.  Pour the spirits into a clean 2-quart (or larger) glass container with a tight fitting lid.

2.  Cut the peaches in half and thinly slice.  Add the peaches and their pits to the spirits. Cover tightly and put away in a dark, cool place, to infuse for 3 weeks to a month.  Shake the container a few times each week.

3.  When you’re satisfied with the intensity of the flavor, strain the liqueur through a metal sieve into a large bowl.  Discard the solids.  Add the sugar syrup to taste.

4.  To make sugar syrup:  Place the 1 cup water in a saucepan.  Add the 2 cups sugar and bring to a boil, stirring frequently.  Reduce the heat and continue to stir until the sugar dissolves.  Cool to room temperature.  Select a clean container that will hold at least 1 1/2 cups.  Pour the sugar syrup into the container, seal, and store in the refrigerator for up to 6 months.

For more information on the infusion process, see my post  for Rhubarb Liqueur.

Hints:  My preference is vodka for making infusions, because it is colorless and  doesn’t have a strong flavor of its own.   Keep the original spirits bottle.  Soak and remove label.  Use this to store the finished liqueur, properly labeled and dated.  The finished liqueur should be aged for about 1 month away from heat and light to allow flavors to mellow.  I know, I know—-it’s hard; but all good things are worth the wait!

Variations:   Use honey in place of sugar syrup and add to taste.   Add 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise,  or  6 whole cloves in with the peaches.

SOURCE:  Infused  by Susan Elia MacNeil