Homemade Spiced Honey-Walnut Liqueur (Vargas and Gulling) Recipe

Miscellaneous Untried Recipes

This is from a collection of recipes from books I own, but which I haven't myself tried yet. However, you can have faith that at least the authors themselves have tried them, so they're not deadly or anything.

From Cordials From Your Kitchen by Pattie Vargas and Rich Gulling:

• 1 cup shelled English walnuts
• 1 1/2 cups brandy
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 3 whole cloves
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup honey
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest

Preheat oven to 350. Spread shelled nuts on a cookie sheet and bake until lightly toasted. Or toast nuts over medium heat in a heavy saucepan, tossing until lightly toasted. Transfer nuts to clean 1-liter jar. Add brandy and seal quickly so alcohol doesn't evaporate. Stand in a cool, dark place for 1 month, shaking occasionally

Strain and filter. Bring water and honey to a boil together, boil together for 2-3 minutes. Skim off any foam that may develop. Remove from heat and add cinnamon and cloves to the hot liquid. Stand until just warm. Add vanilla, orange zest and lemon zest to syrup. Add syrup to liqueur, seal, and steep for 2 days. Strain and filter again. May be served immediately, but better if aged 1 month.