Homemade Nocino (Alex Milch) Recipe

From correspondent Alex Milch:

• 30 walnuts with their bright green rinds
• 1 1/2 liter grain alcohol (190 proof or 95%)
• 3 cups (1 1/2 pounds) sugar (or up to 4 cups, to taste)
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 10 cloves
• 1/2 l water
• rind of one lemon, cut into strips

Once you have the nuts, wash them well and assemble the remaining ingredients.

Begin by quartering the nuts with a heavy bladed knife or a cleaver. Do this on a non-absorbent surface, and wear gloves: though walnut juice is colorless when it comes out of the nut, exposure to the air turns it into dark brown walnut stain that will not come off. Put the nuts with the remaining ingredients in a jar, cover it tightly, and put it in a warm, dark place for 40 days, shaking it every two or three days.

Once the nuts have steeped, taste the nocino. If it's too strong for you, dilute it with some spring water. Then line a funnel with filter paper and strain the nocino into bottles. Age it for about six months in a cool dark place. It is wonderful at the end of a meal, or around a fire with friends. It also makes a perfect Christmas gift.