Cigliegiolo, or Cherry Liqueur: One of the finest things to do with an amarena cherry short of eating it! Ciliegiolo is a perfect after dinner cordial, to be enjoyed with friends on a cold winter night when cherry season is far away. Alcohol content about 40%.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/4 pounds (600 g) ripe flavorful cherries
- 1 cup less 2 tablespoons (200 g) sugar
- 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon (90 ml) water
- 1 3/4 cups (450 ml) alcohol
Preparation:
Crush the cherries and their pits (you'll need a mortar for this, as pits will ruin a blender) and leave the paste, covered in a dark place, for 24 hours. The next day, prepare a syrup by bringing the water to a boil and dissolving the sugar in it. While it's cooling, put the cherry mixture in a fine muslin bag and squeeze the juice into a bowl. Add the juice to the syrup, and when it is cool, add the alcohol. Seal the bottle and put it in a cool dark place for a week. Filter into an elegant bottle, seal, and age it for at least six months before you break it out.
Enjoy it in small amounts: It's perfect for sipping, but not something you'll want to drink a large volume of.
Enjoy it in small amounts: It's perfect for sipping, but not something you'll want to drink a large volume of.
