Clove schnapps

Clove schnapps - based on dried clove flower buds - is a strong-flavoured, very spicy, aromatic and warming schnapps with a golden colour.

It's mainly used to blend with other schnappses.

Or used in desserts, marmalades, ice creams, fruit salads, apple pies, marinades, soups, fish and meat sauces, barbecue sauces, pork dishes, tea, and mulled wine.

Blends very well with...
lime schnapps · orange schnapps · plum schnapps · pepper schnapps.

Also, see how you can easily...
turn your clove schnapps into a liqueur.

Clove

Syzygium aromaticum - (syn. Eugenia caryophyllata)

The clove plant is a small, bushy, evergreen tree with ascending branches and shiny, dark green, leathery and aromatic leaves.

The beautiful, fragrant flowers are beige turning to red, when the stamens wither. The berries are purple in colour and very aromatic.

The spice known as clove is the flower bud, that's collected just before it opens and then sun-dried.

Today it's also grown in Tanzania, Madagascar, Brazil, and Sri Lanka. Main exporters are Tanzania and Madagascar.

Whole or ground cloves are used for culinary purposes.

Cloves are also used in liqueurs such as the French Benedictine.

The large amounts of essential oils from flower buds and leaves are used in various dietary supplements and herbal remedies, in dentistry and as flavourings in perfumes, beverages, tooth pastes, and Indonesian cigarettes.

More information about the clove plant

Recipe

For best result, use whole, dried clove flower buds (cloves). The cloves must be of good quality - oily and dark brown.

Direction:

• Put 10 whole cloves in a clean glass jar with tight-fitting lid.
• Add 25 centiliter clear, unflavoured vodka - 40% alcohol content (80 proof).
• Let steep for 2 days in a dark place at room temperature,
  18-20°C (64-68°F).
• Shake lightly and taste it from time to time.
• Strain and filter your infusion into a clean glass bottle or jar with tight-fitting lid.
• Store (age) for a month or so in a dark place at room temperature before serving.

Note: If for some reason you are not satisfied with your infusion, there are ways to adjust both taste and flavours - click here to see how.

Serve your clove schnapps at room temperature in suitable glasses. And remember to keep your schnapps bottle tightly closed and in a dark place before and between servings.