Sweet Cicely Schnapps

Sweet cicely schnapps - based on either roots, stems, leaves or unripe fruits from the sweet cicely plant - is sweet, spicy and highly aromatic.

It has a refreshing taste and aromas of something between anise and liquorice. Tastes almost like the wonderful Ouzo from Greece. It's green in colour, changing to warm golden after some storage.

Enjoy on its own as appetizer or after-dinner drink.

Or serve with chicken, veal, lamb, fish, shellfish, soups, vegetables, Greek Salads, cheese, cheese cakes, or the famous Greek dessert Baklava.

Or use the schnapps in soups, sauces, stews, salad dressings, herb butters, dips - or dishes, where you would normally use sweet cicely, chervil, or parsley.

Sweet cicely schnapps blends very well with...
basil schnapps · thyme schnapps · rosemary schnapps · stinging nettle schnapps.

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

Recipe

In early summer, before bloom, you can use either the fresh leaves, stems, or roots to make this schnapps.

After bloom you should use the long, green, unripe fruits, which have stronger taste and flavours.

Click here for info about the Sweet Cicely Herb

If you buy fresh sweet cicely, do make sure the plant is really fresh - organic if possible - and free from spots and insect damage.

Handle the plant with care - fresh herbs bruise easily - and use the leaves as soon as possible to get the most flavour and aroma into your schnapps.

Clean the leaves, stems, fruits, or roots carefully.

If wet, leave them to dry for a short period in the shadow - on paper towel.

For steeping, use a clean glass jar with tight-fitting lid, and a clear, unflavoured vodka - 40% alcohol content (80 proof).

Let steep in a dark place at room temperature, 18-20°C (64-68°F).

Note: Don't use dried leaves. Sweet cicely looses much of its aromatic volatile oil - and thereby its characteristic taste and flavours - as it dries.

Leaves or Stems

• Put 2 deciliter fresh leaves or stems in a clean glass jar.
• Add 35 centiliter vodka.
• Let steep for 1-3 days.
• Shake lightly and taste your infusion from time to time.

Green, unripe fruits

• Put a handful of green, unripe fruits - roughly chopped - in a clean glass jar
• Add 50 centiliter vodka.
• Let steep for 1-2 days.
• Shake lightly and taste it from time to time.

Roots

• Put a handful of roughly chopped roots in a clean glass jar.
• Add 50 centiliter vodka.
• Let steep for 1-2 weeks or more.
• Shake lightly and taste it from time to time.

Strain and filter whichever infusion you have made 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 sweet cicely 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.







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