Winter Solstice

Sunday, December 1, 2024

Winter Solstice Cool Brew



Yes, it takes 5 weeks to be magical, but it’s worth it.

If you start it now, right now, you can have it in time for the holidays.



Ingredients

  • 4 cups brandy
  • 2 star anise
  • 1 cinnamon stick 8-inch
  • 1 vanilla bean sliced lengthwise
  • 4 small sweet navel oranges scrubbed, dried, and chopped into 4 to 6 pieces
  • 24 black peppercorns

Instructions

  • Combine all the ingredients in a clean, odor free wide-mouthed glass jar (all the better if you have a wonderful old canning jar).  Label the jar, cap it tightly and store in a cool, dark place for 2 weeks, shaking daily.
  • Strain through a fine mesh strainer or coffee filter.  Return the infusion to it’s jar, recap it, put it back in a cool, dark place, and let it continue to mellow for 3 more weeks.
  • Refrigerate or store in a cool dark pantry almost indefinitely!

Notes

Note this recipe takes only about 5 minutes to gather your ingredients.  Then the brew ages for 5 weeks.