Sometimes the handmade gift that packs the most punch is the one that’s simplest to make. That’s certainly the case with liqueurs and infused spirits, which look and sound very fancy indeed but amount to little more than steeping a few ingredients in a bottle of store-bought alcohol. So skip the spiced fruitcake and spice the rum instead. Add a bit of seasonal flair and you’ve got a gift that’s sure to impress.
Spicy Rum
Print RecipeIngredients
- 1 fifth (750 ml/3¼ cups) dark rum (80 proof)
- 20 star anise, crushed
- 20 cardamom pods, crushed
- 1 dried guajillo chile, seeded and chopped
- 2 vanilla beans (Madagascar or Bourbon), split
- ¼ cup honey
Instructions
Combine the rum, star anise, cardamom, chile, and vanilla in a glass jar. Stir to moisten everything.
Seal the jar and put it in a cool, dark cabinet until the liquid is very aromatic, 1 to 2 days.
Strain the mixture with a mesh strainer into a clean quart jar. Do not push on the solids to extract more liquid. You should have a little more than 2¾ cups.
Stir in the honey.
Seal and store in a cool, dark cabinet. Use within 1 year.
Enjoy either straight up or on the rocks.
For more recipes like this, check out Homemade Liqueurs and Infused Spirits by Andrew Schloss.
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