Recipe of the week – Kumquat Vodka – April

I need to start this post by stating that I do not drink. I often cook with alcohol (as the alcohol cooks out of whatever it is I am making, but as far as drinking, I do not. However, this blog is titled “Wine, Travel, Eats” and often David talks about different liqueurs and such. This week, I have made a kumquat flavored vodka that is delicious (all the people that sampled it said so!) The reviews were so good, that I decided to share it with you!

I live in California, and I have a kumquat tree. I love it. I make jam with them, I eat them raw, and cut them up in salads. They are fabulous. If I ever move from California, that is something I will truly miss. I planted it from a little twig, and now it stretches over the edge of the rooftop. I seriously love them!

When I came home from vacation this month, I noticed that I still had lots of kumquats on my tree, and rather than let them get soft and spoil, I ran out and picked a bowl of them.  Always thinking about what I can do for a blog post, I decided to make an infused Vodka with them, and it turned out so well I think you would be well served to buy them at the market and make some yourself! Everyone that tried it loved it and said it was quite refreshing and a perfect beverage for spring and summer entertaining!

You will need:

an empty quart jar with a lid. 

vodka of your choice

enough kumquats to fill the quart jar. 

1. If you are lucky enough to have a kumquat bush or tree, pick a large bowl of them. If not, purchase enough to fill a quart jar at your local store or farmers market. 

2. Rinse the kumquats with water, and remove any stems and leaves. 

3. Cut the kumquats in half, and fill a clean quart jar with them all the way to the top.

4. Cover completely with vodka and put the lid on top. Place in the refrigerator for a minimum of 3 days. 

5. Strain and use to make a cocktail of your choice.

6. Use the sliced kumquats for garnish, or just put them out at your party in a bowl to munch on!

Here are a couple recipes for cocktails using the kumquat infused vodka!  You can also use a good bourbon in place of the vodka if that is what you prefer.

Try this:

1 ounce infused vodka

6 ounces club soda.

Garnish with the kumquats on top of the ice. 

OR

Squeeze 1 ounce of juice from the marinated kumquats

add to 1 ounce of Vodka

fill the glass with ice and then fill with club soda

OR

Muttle kumquats in the bottom of a shaker. 

Add ice and 2 ounces of the marinated vodka

Strain into a champagne flute and fill with champagne

Have fun with this, and let us know your own recipes to use this delicious flavored vodka! And don’t waste the kumquats! They are delicious (according to my friends that tried them!)

Have a great week!

Hugs, April