Christmas Pudding Vodka Liqueur and Boozy Fruit Dessert

Ok, ok! I KNOW it’s only September BUT… Christmas will be here before you know it I promise you! Plus, this Christmas Pudding Vodka Liqueur can be made well in advance as it tastes so, so good after maturing. It’s so simple to make and is absolutely delicious. Not only that, but you can use the boozy fruit afterwards as part of a dessert!

So get yourself organised and impress friends and family with a homemade (with love and Christmas cheer!) liqueur gift. That’s if you can resist it yourself first!

Equipment required

You’ll need some handy equipment for this recipe. Here’s a checklist. If you haven’t got some of this don’t fear! Simply click on the item in question to see our online range, or pop in and see us in store to see for yourself and view more!

• Kitchen scales
• Measuring spoons
• Joseph Joseph Multi-Peel Serrated Peeler
• Grater
• Kilner jars and bottles
• Sieve
• Straining bag
• Jug
• Funnel

We used the Joseph Joseph Multi-Peel Serrated Peeler to zest our lemons. We love the serrated edges of the blade which allow for a pith free zest, ensuring lack of bitterness. We also love the ergonomic soft grip handle - so comfortable to use! Oh, and the blade guard that comes with it too - very useful for safe storage.

We have a great range of graters & slicers, peelers & corers, and juicers, zesters and reamers to choose from in store and online if you fancy treating your kitchen drawer!

We also used the Kilner 1.8 Litre Facetted Clip Top Preserving Jar, and Kilner 550ml bottles if you'd like to use the same as us. If you can't find what you're looking for on our website, we are sure you'll find it in store - do pop in to see us if you're local!

Sterilising

You’ll need to sterilise your Kilner jars and bottles (let’s collectively call them ‘containers’) too, in order to remove bacteria and keep contents fresh within the vacuum. Here are some essential tips before starting:

• Make sure that all containers and lids are in good condition before starting.
• Only sterilise your containers a short time before you are ready to fill
• Never pour boiling water straight onto containers – always start with cold to avoid cracking!
• Containers/lids will be hot – always use oven gloves and tongs to protect from burns.
• Don’t use any oven method to sterilise – these methods can cause bacteria to harbour in the containers, from any small particles of food that may be lurking in the oven.

There are two easy methods to sterilise: Dishwasher or Water Bath. If you use the ‘Water Bath’ method, you will need pans big enough to cover the size of your chosen containers.

Dishwasher Method:
o Make sure that your dishwasher is clean and empty and that your containers are clean
o Fill the dishwasher with your clean containers
o Set your dishwasher to the highest setting (or steam setting if it has one) and set the dishwasher off
o Leave to cool slightly in the dishwasher and leave the door closed.
o Remove each container as you need it, closing the door each time.

Water Bath Method:
o First, remove the lids (if removable) or rubber seals from your containers and put into a pan. Fill with about 4 inches of water, heat and simmer at around 82 degrees for 10 minutes. Turn off and cover until you are ready to seal the containers.
o Place the containers into a pan and fill with cold water until the containers are covered. Bring to the boil and keep at the maximum temperature for 10 minutes. Turn off and cover until you are ready to use.

Christmas Pudding Vodka Liqueur

Ingredients

500g mixed dried fruit (raisins, currants, sultanas as an example)
75g caster sugar
3 cinnamon sticks
2 tsp ground mixed spice
6 Cloves
Half a whole nutmeg, finely grated
Zest of 1 orange
Zest of 1 unwaxed lemon
750ml vodka

Method

• Place the dried fruit into a large sterilised Kilner jar with the sugar, cinnamon sticks, mixed spice, cloves, nutmeg, orange zest and lemon zest.
• Pour the vodka in and clip/seal the jar shut.
• Gently shake/rotate the jar so that all of the ingredients mix well.
• Place in the fridge.
• Each time you go to the fridge, give the jar a gentle shake/rotate. Do this over a 3 day period.
• After 3 days remove your mixture from the fridge.
• Place a sieve over a jug. Place a KitchenCraft Straining Bag over the sieve.
• Carefully pour the mixture into the sieve/straining bag. The liquid will strain through the bag and sieve, leaving the solid contents in the bag.
• Place the sieve/straining bag (now containing fruit) into a bowl and put to one side for now.
• In your chosen sterilised gift bottle, place a funnel. Pour in the liquid (we can now officially call it your ‘liqueur’!) and seal.
• Store in a cool, dark place until you are ready to drink it, or until you are ready to decorate the bottle and present as a gift. You could get some pretty Christmas gift tags and write a message on the back to the recipient, with a brief explanation of the contents… and of course, ‘homemade with Christmas cheer!’. Best served cold (the colder the better!). Note that you may need to agitate the bottle before serving, as sometimes fruit sediment can sink to the bottom.

Boozy Fruit Dessert

Now back to the fruit!

• Remove the cinnamon sticks. Also remove some, or all if you prefer, of the zests.
• Place the fruit into a sterilised Kilner jar, seal and store in the fridge.
• Serve with vanilla ice cream for a Boozy Fruit Dessert – absolutely DELICIOUS! You could even drizzle a little of the liqueur over the ice cream too!

How easy was that?! And how divine is that taste?! A fabulous and easy Christmas tipple treat to serve up to friends and family, or give as a homemade gift.

Above pictures: jarred remaining Boozy Fruit, and Christmas Pudding Vodka Liqueur pictured with our homemade Limoncello (see blog link below).

There’s more where this came from so do keep an eye open for our new blogs to get you ready and in the spirit for Christmas! Enjoy!

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