The Bourbon - and other spirits - Thread (was: @ Myronwemissyinz)

I'm not usually a fan of rye whiskey. Although there are exceptions. I haven't tried that one, but a buddy swears by it.

 

My latest project. Ended up making 3 bottles. This one came about as a request (challenge? dare?) from my wife.



Homemade Amaretto.

And I'll be so very bold as to say that this stuff is WAY better than DiSaronno. But I'm biased. We'll see how she judges it this weekend.

 

It's easy to make.

For a big batch:

3 cups sugar
2 cups brown sugar
3 (fluid measure) cups water
2-3 cinnamon sticks

Combine in a pot and heat stirring occasionally until boiling. Remove from heat and chill in a refrigerator. After 45 minutes to an hour, remove the cinnamon sticks.

Once chilled, add 6 cups of vodka. (Use good vodka. If you must go cheap, at least filter it few times first. Or have the best of both worlds and use Costco's Kirkland French Vodka. Very good and cheap) You can use other liquors but they'll affect the overall flavor for better or worse.

To that, add 3 tablespoons plus 1/2 teaspoon almond extract. 3 teaspoons vanilla extract. Use real extracts. No artificial crap.

And a little "secret ingredient," 3-4 teaspoons of Luxardo* cherry syrup (the syrup from a jar of Luxardo cherries. Luxardo. Not bright red, artificially flavored "maraschino" cherries)

Mix well and bottle. Cheers.

Optional: add a few drops of caramel food coloring (flavorless) if you want a deeper hue. I didn't do that, but might if I'm making it for gifts.

Then make yourself a "Godfather." Equal parts scotch (or your whiskey of choice. I'm not a purist with this) and Amaretto. Drop in 2 of those Luxardo cherries and stir with ice. Enjoy.