Christmas Shrub A Rum Spice Liqueur Recipes

Steps:

• Wash the fruits and remove the zest in strips, avoiding the white pith.
• Combine the zests, cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice, vanilla beans, 2 cups of sugar, and 2 cups of water in a large heavy saucepan.
• Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to lowest possible setting. Let the ingredients infuse for 30 minutes.
• Strain the syrup into a large mixing bowl.
• Combine the remaining 1 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water in the same large saucepan.
• Cover the pan and bring mixture to a boil. Uncover the pan and cook the mixture over high heat until it turns golden brown or caramelizes -about 5 minutes.
• Remove the pan from the heat and let cool 5 minutes.
• Add 1 cup of rum to the caramel. BE CAREFUL -the mixture may splatter. When the splatter has subsided, return the pan to low heat stirring with a wooden spoon until the caramel has dissolved into the rum.
• Add the caramel mixture and remaining rum to the syrup. (I found a large jar like you see in deli's for pickles I use for this). Whisk or in my case, shake the mixture. Pour into clean bottles or containers. Place in a cool dark place and allow to age. It will keep indefinitely.
• I put this is pretty decorative bottles like you see for salad dressing and give as Christmas gifts. I had an uproar the one year I didn't make it.
• Servings and yield are approximate, but about 2 gallons I'd guess. This is something you drink like a cordial or as a sipper. It is very strong!

Steps:

• In a quart jar, add spices, 1 cup sugar, and vodka.
• Seal jar tightly, and place in a dry, dark place for about 2 weeks.
• After two weeks, strain the liquid using a double layer of cheese cloth.
• In a fresh quart jar, add the second cup of sugar, glycerin, water to top and the strained liquid. Seal and store again in a dark place until sugar is dissolved.
• Once the sugar has all dissolved, bottle the resulting liqueur in a fresh bottle and let age for roughly 3 months.

Steps:

• Dissolve coffee in water.
• Mix all ingredient's slowly in a blender.
• Serve chilled.

Steps:

• Combine spice mix ingredients; place in the center of two 6-in. square pieces of cheesecloth. Bring corners together and tie with kitchen string. Yield: 1 spice bag. , To use as a room scent: Place spice bag in a 2-cup microwave-safe measuring cup filled with hot water. Microwave on high for 3-4 minutes or until water boils. Continue to microwave at 30% power to add fragrance to the whole house. (Add more water if microwaved for additional time.) , To prepare cranberry wassail: Combine juices, sugar and spice bag in a 2-qt. microwave-safe bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and cut a vent. Microwave on high for 8-9 minutes or until mixture boils. Microwave at 50% power 3 minutes longer.