Homemade cinnamon liqueur has Sicilian origins and is served well chilled at the end of a meal, as a digestif. The recipe is very easy and is made with cinnamon sticks, alcohol, sugar, and water. The infusion of cinnamon in alcohol for 1 week will release all its aroma and properties, resulting in a cinnamon-flavored liqueur with an intense and smooth taste. Offering a shot of liqueur to friends at the end of dinner is very satisfying, I also bring chocolate liqueur cream and the glasses on a tray, so everyone can serve themselves.
I buy cinnamon sticks at herbal shops, ethnic stores, or online. At the end of the recipe, you will find many tips and variations for making cinnamon liqueur, and now let’s prepare it.
Also try these:
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Medium
- Rest time: 8 Days
- Preparation time: 30 Minutes
- Portions: 25
- Cooking methods: No cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All seasons
- Energy 97.20 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 14.48 (g) of which sugars 12.60 (g)
- Proteins 0.10 (g)
- Fat 0.03 (g) of which saturated 0.00 (g)of which unsaturated 0.00 (g)
- Fibers 1.27 (g)
- Sodium 1.01 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 40 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients for 1 liter of cinnamon liqueur
- 1.7 cups pure alcohol (at 90%)
- 1.5 cups sugar (or brown sugar)
- 1.3 cups water
- 8 sticks cinnamon sticks (about 60 g)
- Half pod vanilla (used)
What you need to make liqueur at home
If you have it, you can use the Thermomix to grind the cinnamon sticks.
- 1 Blender or grinder
- 1 Pitcher
- 1 Strainer fine mesh
- 1 Glass bottle 1-liter and sterilized
- 1 Funnel
Procedure
Distribute the cinnamon sticks in the blender cup and grind them well. Pour the cinnamon powder into the pitcher and add 300 ml of alcohol. Mix well, cover the pitcher with a sheet of plastic wrap, and place it in a cool, dark place for 7 days. Be sure to stir the alcohol and cinnamon once a day.
After the week of rest, pour the sugar and water into a saucepan, mix well, and place on the stove. Stirring, dissolve the sugar and bring to a boil*. Turn off the heat and let it cool completely.
At this point, pour the cinnamon alcohol into the syrup, add the other 100 ml of alcohol and the vanilla*, and mix well. Let the cinnamon liqueur rest overnight. The next day, mix and, using the fine mesh strainer and the funnel, filter and pour the cinnamon liqueur into the bottle.
I recommend keeping the liqueur in the refrigerator or freezer, so it is ready to be served well chilled when needed. Alternatively, you can store it in the pantry.
Additional tips for making cinnamon liqueur at home
I do not recommend using ground cinnamon, it is too fine and the strainer would not be able to filter it.
Cinnamon liqueur syrup in the microwave
If you prefer, you can prepare the syrup in the microwave, just pour the sugar and water into a glass bowl, mix, and put in the microwave. Start at 1000 watts for 5 minutes, stir, and boil for another minute. If the syrup boils too strongly, lower the power by 1 step. Let it cool and then add the flavored alcohol.
Cinnamon and clove liqueur
You can add 5 cloves to the liqueur along with the cinnamon and let them macerate together.
Cinnamon desserts
Fried sweet ravioli with ricotta and cinnamon
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Why does the syrup need to cool?
Heat and/or boiling cause the alcoholic part of the alcohol to evaporate.
How can I use leftover ground cinnamon?
The cinnamon macerated in alcohol can be dried well, then finely ground and used to make cakes and sweets.
