Hazelnut Liqueur

Details

alcohol

Notes

Originally taken from here

Ingredients

• 1 cup vodka
• 1 cup brandy
• 2 cups whole, raw hazelnuts
• 1 whole vanilla bean
• 1 tsp. cacao nibs (or substitute coffee beans), optional
• 1 orange
• ¼ cup honey
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup water
• 1 cinnamon stick, broken into pieces

Directions

Spread the hazelnuts on a cookie sheet and toast in a 275-degree F oven for 10-15 minutes, or until fragrant, taking care to not burn. Remove the nuts from the oven and transfer to a clean kitchen towel; twist the towel to close and let the nuts cool. Once cool, roll the nuts inside a towel to remove their skins.

Transfer the skinned hazelnuts to a cutting board and coarsely chop. Add them to a jar and cover with the vodka and brandy. Stir well to combine, cover and let infuse for 1 week, shaking daily.

Split the vanilla bean length- wise, scrape the seeds and add the seeds and pod to the hazelnut mixture, along with the cacao nibs (or coffee beans, if using). Shake to combine and let infuse for 1 week, shaking every other day.

Using a fine-mesh strainer lined with a double layer of cheesecloth, strain the infusion into a clean 1-liter jar; discard the solids.

In a small saucepan, combine the water, sugar, honey, cinnamon stick and the zest of 1 orange and bring to a simmer. Stir until the sugar dissolves, remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature. Strain the syrup into the strained hazelnut infusion and stir or shake to combine. Keep refrigerated for up to 1 month. Makes 2 cups, but can easily be multiplied.