Get ready to infuse your holiday season with the warm, aromatic flavors of a Light Christmas Cake Brandy. This simple recipe delivers a delightful homemade brandy that captures the essence of traditional Christmas cakes in a lighter and more refreshing form. Sit back, relax, and enjoy a cozy evening by the fire with a glass of this fragrant brandy that will surely add a touch of magic to your festive celebrations.
**Light Christmas Cake Brandy**
**Ingredients:**
– 1 bottle (750ml) brandy
– 1/2 cup dried cranberries
– 1/4 cup golden raisins
– 1/4 cup dried apricots, chopped
– 1 cinnamon stick
– 3 whole cloves
– 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
– Zest of 1 orange
– Zest of 1 lemon
– 1/4 cup honey
– 1/4 cup water
**Instructions:**
1. In a clean glass jar or bottle, combine the brandy, dried cranberries, golden raisins, dried apricots, cinnamon stick, cloves, split vanilla bean, orange zest, and lemon zest. Seal the jar tightly and give it a gentle shake to mix the ingredients.
2. Store the jar in a cool, dark place for at least 3 days, shaking it gently every day to encourage the flavors to meld together.
3. After the third day, in a small saucepan, heat the honey and water over low heat, stirring until the honey is completely dissolved. Remove from heat and let it cool to room temperature.
4. Add the honey syrup to the brandy mixture in the jar. Seal the jar tightly and give it a final shake to combine all the flavors.
5. Place the jar back in the cool, dark spot for an additional 3 days to allow the honey syrup to infuse with the brandy and fruit.
6. After a total of 6 days, strain the brandy through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean bottle, discarding the fruit and spices. For an extra clear brandy, you can strain it again using a coffee filter.
7. Your Light Christmas Cake Brandy is now ready to be enjoyed! Serve it in small glasses at room temperature or gently warmed for a cozy and festive touch.
This Light Christmas Cake Brandy is a versatile addition to your holiday celebrations. Enjoy it as a standalone sipper, drizzle it over a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or use it to elevate your favorite holiday cocktails. The sweet and spicy notes of this brandy are sure to evoke the spirit of the season and make every gathering feel extra special. Cheers to a joyous and flavorful holiday season!
