Homemade mandarin liqueur

Ingredients for 1 servings:

• 1.2 kg mandarin orange(s)
• 1 orange(s), untreated
• 250 g brown cane sugar
• 1 vanilla pod(s)
• 4 star anise
• 300 ml vodka (40%)

Instructions

Working time approx. 30 minutes; Cooking/baking time approx. 18 minutes; Total time approx. 48 minutes

Halve the mandarins and squeeze out the juice. You should end up with at least 700 ml of juice. Cut a large, very thin piece of peel from the orange. As little of the white layer as possible should remain on the peel. Alternatively, you can use a zester. Halve the vanilla pod and cut it open lengthwise. Pour the squeezed fruit juice through a sieve into a saucepan, add the sugar, and add the star anise, orange peel, and halved vanilla pod. Stir everything together, bring to a boil briefly, and then simmer over low heat for about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool. Pour the cooled mandarin syrup first through a coarse sieve and then a finer sieve. Now add the vodka, stir everything thoroughly, and then bottle it. A major advantage of this liqueur is that it doesn’t have to age for weeks; it can be enjoyed immediately. This makes it a great last-minute gift. Have fun preparing it and then cheers!