Polish Cranberry Cordial
Polish cranberry cordial - likier zurawinka - only takes two days to prepare and it's ready to drink. This is perfect for an edible gifts basket and makes a nice toasting medium on Thanksgiving or any holiday. INGREDIENTS 2 cups fresh cranberries (or individually quick-frozen - IQF - cranberries when out of season) 1/2 cup water 1 cup strawberries, washed, hulled and sliced 1 cup raspberries, washed and sliced in half 2 cups sugar 3 cups (100-proof) vodka Rinse the cranberries. Pour 1/2 cup of water into a medium saucepan and add the cranberries. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes or until the cranberries begin to pop. Remove from the heat and let come to room temperature. In a medium bowl, place cooked cranberries and any juices, sliced strawberries, sliced raspberries and sugar. Mix, cover with plastic wrap and let sit on a counter for 24 hours. Strain berries through cheesecloth, reserving juices. (Berries may be used to garnish pound cake or ice cream, but must be refrigerated and used within one day.) Transfer reserved juices to a quart bottle. Add 3 cups vodka or until it comes nearly to the top of the bottle. Seal and shake well. Let stand 24 hours. Strain through a coffee filter and transfer to a decanter. Store at room temperature. No aging is required. The cordial is ready to drink! Na zdrowie!
