Rose schnapps

Rose schnapps - based on flower buds from any highly fragrant garden rose or wild rose - is really delicious.

When just made you might find it too much scented. But after adequate dilution you get a schnapps that has great flavours and taste.

Rose schnapps blends very well with many flavoured schnappses based on roots, stems and leaves.

Or try to add one or two drops to a glass of white wine or dry sparkling wine. Wonderful on a warm summer day.

Normally a flavoured schnapps should be enjoyed at room temperature, but with rose schnapps you can enjoy it lightly chilled, 8-10°C (46-50°F).

Serve with light foods or enjoy it on its own as an aperitif.

Or try to combine linden schnapps, rowan schnapps, maple schnapps - and dandelion root schnapps.

It makes a highly enjoyable and very harmonious schnapps blend.

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

Rose

The rose plant is a very popular plant and common in many home gardens.

The genus comprises about 150 species of deciduous bushes with thorny stems, small leaves and highly scented flowers in numerous colours.

The fruits - known as hips - differ greatly in size, shape and colour.

The cultivation of roses dates back thousands of years, and today there are numerous sorts, varieties and hybrids derived from the original 150 species.

Some of these sorts and varieties do not have scented flowers.

Unfortunately. They are grown for their beauty only.

Rose petals can be added to fruit salads, desserts and beverages.

The hips are very rich in antioxidants. They can be eaten fresh - or dried for various culinary purposes.

More information about the rose plant

Recipe

Use fresh and fully developed flower buds of any highly scented garden rose - or wild rose such as rugosa rose (Rosa rugosa), dog rose (Rosa canina) or burnet rose (Rosa pimpinellifolia).

Pick them in the morning before the sun gets too hot.

If wet - dry them in the shadow on a piece of paper towel.

Direction:

• Remove the green sepals with a sharp knife.
• Put a couple of rose buds in a clean glass jar with tight-fitting lid.
• Cover with approx. 2-3 deciliter clear, unflavoured vodka - 40% alcohol content (80 proof).
• Let steep for 1-3 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 at least 2 months 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 rose schnapps lightly chilled in suitable glasses. And remember to keep your schnapps bottle tightly closed and in a dark place before and between servings.