Kumquat fruits are fleshy, juicy, very fragrant, and sweet. They can be used to make marmalades, jellies, creams, and liqueurs. Today I would like to propose a liqueur made from the peels of this fruit. The preparation of kumquat liqueur cream is very simple and will require little time. After infusing the kumquat peels in alcohol, you only need to wait 10 days to enjoy a fresh-tasting liqueur that, thanks to the presence of milk or cream (depending on your preference), will acquire a creamy consistency that is very pleasant on the palate. It is excellent to drink on its own, after a meal, and to accompany desserts or ice cream.
Here you will find the traditional version without milk or cream.
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Medium
- Rest time: 10 Days
- Preparation time: 1 Hour
- Portions: 3 qt
- Cooking methods: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All Seasons
Ingredients
- 50 Kumquat
- 1 qt Pure Alcohol
- 1 qt Whole Milk or Fresh Cream
- 3 1/4 cups Sugar
Preparation
Wash the fruits under running water, cut them in half and remove the pulp (which you can use to make delicious marmalade).
Infuse the peels in alcohol for 10 days in a dark place.
After 10 days, prepare the syrup by dissolving the sugar in milk (or fresh liquid cream) over low heat.
Once the sugar has completely dissolved, turn off the heat and let it cool completely.
When the syrup is cold, filter the alcohol (do not discard the peels, as they can be caramelized and kept as a flavoring for desserts, etc.), add it to the syrup, and stir to fully combine.
Pour into bottles, seal tightly, and store in the fridge if you wish to drink it cold; otherwise, it can be kept at room temperature. You will notice that the milk tends to separate from the alcohol, but this is normal. It is a liqueur that needs to be shaken well before serving.
To caramelize kumquat peels: weigh them and add 50% sugar. Place the peels and sugar in a saucepan, dissolve the sugar for about ten minutes over low heat, stirring often; turn off the heat and transfer them to a sterilized jar. Immediately turn the jar upside down and allow it to cool. Once opened, the peels will keep for a long time in the fridge. They can be used to enrich ice creams and desserts in general.
