Homemade cranberry tincture, or as it is popularly called, sticking is appreciated not only for its mild taste. This is, first of all, a healthy drink with healing properties. This is due to the fact that cranberries are one of the most valuable berries for health.
In Russia, this berry received another name - "northern lemon." And this is not surprising, because it is valued due to the high content of vitamin C. Another of its unique properties is the increased effect of antibiotics.
But winemakers do not love her at all for ascorbic acid, but for her ability to neutralize the smell and soften the taste of alcohol (they insist mainly on alcohol, moonshine, vodka).
Technological features or which berries are better to choose?
When preparing homemade cranberry tinctures, it is worthwhile first of all to pay attention to which berries are used: fresh or frozen. Both are suitable for these purposes. In addition, as you know, even frozen cranberries retain all their beneficial properties. However, the structure of such berries is friable. Thanks to this, they give better juice.
It is also worth considering several recommendations:
• If you pick berries on your own, make sure they are juicy and ripe.
• In the event that the crop is not mature enough, the situation can be corrected by spreading the berries on thick paper and leaving them for several days in a cool, well-ventilated room. After 3-5 days they will pour and become a little transparent.
Due to the fact that the berry has strong antibacterial properties, it can be stored for a long time without preliminary processing. But, so that the product does not lose its value, it is necessary to observe a cool temperature regime, protection from sunlight, ventilation. If you neglect the last point, then an excess of carbon dioxide will contribute to the process of decay.
The best options for storage are wooden trays, plastic bags.
It is worth paying attention to the fact that the berry grated with sugar does not lose its taste and properties for a long time. You can store it in the refrigerator for up to a year.
Recipe 1: Traditional Homemade Cranberry Tincture
This option is best suited for those who are first trying to make homemade cranberry tincture.
As the main ingredients, it is worth preparing the berries themselves and vodka. Proportion 1: 2. The best option is 350 g cranberries and 700 ml of vodka.
The algorithm is simple:
• Take a liter jar (or other similar container), put the berries there and knead. In the process, they are very sprayed with juice, so it is recommended to partially cover the neck with a towel or other material.
• Then vodka is added to the berry mass. The ingredients are mixed.
• The container closes and cleans up in a dark place for 14-21 days.
• After the allotted time, filtering is carried out. The resulting pulp is repeatedly wrung out.
The result is a homemade cranberry tincture, the strength of which reaches 20-22%.
Recipe 2: Homemade cranberry tincture with the addition of galangal
If you want to try something new or unusual, homemade cranberry tincture with galangal is what you need. The resulting drink will pleasantly surprise with a spicy aroma.
Kalgan is an aromatic additive that, in its smell, is very similar to ginger. In cooking, its dried root is used. You can find him at the pharmacy.
For her, it is necessary to prepare:
• galangal - ½ tsp;
• berries - 0.35 kg;
• sugar - 100 g;
• vodka.
The grated berries are transferred to a 0.7 L container and galangal is added. Next, the contents are poured with vodka, but in such a way that another 100 g of sugar is placed in the jar, which must be added at the end of the infusion.
The container is closed, put in a dark place for two to three weeks. After the allotted time, sugar must be added. Previously, it is recommended to dissolve it in a small amount of heated tincture. After that, the drink should be infused for another week.
Recipe 3: Homemade Cranberry Tincture - Ladies' Option
This homemade cranberry tincture will certainly appeal to the fair sex due to the delicate aroma of vanilla.
Ingredients Used:
• vodka - 1 liter;
• cranberries - 0.5 kg;
• sugar - from 40 to 60 g (depending on preferences);
• vanilla - 2 g (at the tip of a knife).
Vanilla is added to the grated slurry. Stir, then fill everything with vodka. The resulting liquid will approximately correspond to a volume of 1.5-1.7 liters. Pour into a suitable container, close and insist from half to a whole month. In this case, the maximum infusion time can reach up to 90 days.
After the allotted time, the drink is filtered. Sugar is added to the tincture, depending on the desired level of sweetness.
Recipe 4: Homemade Cranberry Tincture - Male
In this embodiment, vodka is replaced with moonshine. In this case, the resulting drink will have a strength of about 45-50%. The main components are moonshine (1 l), cranberries (0.5 kg).
The peculiarity of this recipe is that the berries do not rub. They must be fired with a needle. In this case, the drink is not very acidic (sugar is not used in this recipe).
Punctured berries are poured into a suitable container in volume, filled with moonshine. Infusion time can range from 2 weeks to two months. The longer it is, the tastier the result will be.
After that, the liquid is drained. Berries are wrung out. The resulting juice is added to the tincture. For crystal clarity, it is recommended to additionally filter the drink.
Recipe 5: Homemade cranberry tincture "Nesmeyanovka"
There is an opinion that this recipe was invented by Academician A.N. Nesmeyanov, and they prepared it exclusively in laboratories using a centrifuge, a homogenizer, and a magnetic stirrer. Like it or not, it’s definitely worth a try. This option is a little more complicated than the ones presented above, but the result is worth it.
Ingredients:
• cranberries - 0.5-0.7 kg;
• 0.5 l of vodka (can be replaced with moonshine, alcohol);
• sugar - 20-30 g;
• lemon - 1 pc. medium size.
Berries must first be blanched in boiling water for no more than 1-2 minutes. After that they get enough sleep in a suitable container and warm up. Squeeze the juice from the lemon.
Vodka, lemon juice and sugar are added to the berries. Stir until sugar is completely dissolved. Infusion occurs within 2-3 days. After that, the drink can be filtered, filtered.
Recipe 6: Homemade Cranberry Tincture - A Christmas Option
In Western countries, cranberry vodka is considered a Christmas drink. But, the tincture prepared according to the recipe presented below will surpass it in all respects. In it, the degree will not be felt at all, only the spicy-berry taste and unsurpassed aroma.
Despite the fact that homemade cranberry tincture from this recipe has a large number of ingredients, the algorithm is very simple. When it is insisted, no more effort is needed than in the traditional version.
Components:
• raisins - 0.25 kg;
• ginger - 0.5 tsp;
• zest of one lemon;
• sugar - 0.25 kg;
• cloves - 7-10 pcs.;
• cranberries - 0.25 kg;
• water - 250 ml;
• allspice peas - 4-6 pcs.;
• vodka - 0.7 l;
• orange - 1 pc.;
• cinnamon - 1.5 tsp;
• nutmeg - ¼ tsp;
• coriander - 1 g;
• anise - ¼ tsp
Cooking Algorithm:
Water is poured into an enameled saucepan, sugar, lemon zest and spices are added. A small fire is set, stirring occasionally until the sugar has completely dissolved. After this, the liquid is brought to a boil and removed from the stove.
Raisins and berries are poured into a suitable jar, boiled syrup, juice of one orange and vodka are added. The contents must be mixed well, after which the container is closed and put away in a dark and cold place (temperature should be +5 +7 degrees Celsius) for 2-3 weeks.
After the allotted time, the drink is filtered, filtered. You should have a viscous homemade cranberry tincture that can be poured into smaller containers.
Tricks for making cranberry tinctures
The above recipes are just one of the many options that are most popular and time-honored. If desired, you can add other spices, fruit juices, berries to achieve your unique taste.
Homemade cranberry tincture can have its own “zest”. For these purposes, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, allspice are perfect. With them you will get the most delicious drink in the world, which, moreover, will have medicinal properties.
In addition, there are several tricks that will help make you a real master of tinctures:
• The sweetness or strength of a drink can always be adjusted. The first parameter can be improved by adding sugar syrup, the second - water or alcohol.
• Sugar can be replaced with honey.
• If you hold the berries in the freezer for a day, they will lose their bitterness. A drink from such a product will delight you with its pleasant taste.
• If you are embarrassed by a cloudy drink, crystal-clear frequencies will help to achieve a cotton or paper filter.
• Tincture can be "cheered up." To do this, crushed berries are covered with sugar and then left for a couple of days until a white foam appears. The result is a richer drink. This is possible in cases where natural yeast remains on the skin of the berries. In the event that the cranberries have already been thoroughly washed or purchased at the supermarket, this is not recommended.
It is best to store the received drinks in a cold place, which is perfect as a refrigerator or basement. Only glass bottles should be used as containers.
