Fennel Digestif Recipe
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If black licorice were to turn into liqueur, it’d be akin to the flavor of this delicate yet stiff digestif.
What to buy: We chose Everclear 151 grain alcohol to use in our digestifs; it picks up the flavoring elements much faster than vodka.
This recipe was featured as part of our Make Your Own Digestifs project, as well as our DIY Holiday Gifts Advent Calendar.
INGREDIENTS
- 1/4 cup fennel fronds
- 1 tablespoon fennel seeds
- 2 cups grain alcohol, such as Everclear 151
- 1 1/2 cups Rich Simple Syrup
INSTRUCTIONS
- Combine fronds and seeds in a 1-quart glass jar with a tightfitting lid, add alcohol, cover, and let steep, undisturbed, at room temperature, for 6 days.
- After 6 days, remove fronds and seeds, and add rich simple syrup. Stir to combine. Store in the freezer.
This is my first time making a digestif and I'd like to make it a few weeks ahead for the holidays and divide into mason jars at room temperature until I give them to my friends and family. Is that ok, or does it have to be stored in the freezer immediately?
Made a full batch (1.75 liter bottle) w/Everclear 151. It is great. If you are so inclined, a tiny splash in my afternoon coffee was wonderful.
I think these are ALL absolutely wonderful mixed with club soda, tonic or sparkling water. They are a digestif and the bubbles help with bringing up the stomach gasses. Anyone who drinks beer knows the true relief and resulting pleasure of a deep, from the belly, beer burp. These are similar to that, without the hops repeater ~ Sláinte Mhath
Made a pilot batch (.75 cup of Everclear). & I used the lower ABV Everclear as the full size model is illegal here. I only let the fennel & anise macerate for 3 days before adding the scaled down amount of simple syrup. But, I also jammed the jar full of fennel fronds. Result was amazingly good. The taste was more subtle & lighter then an Ouzo or Sambucca type of beverage & it is a pleasing green color. I guess in Italy they call this stuff "Finocchietto." It'd be great mixed into vodka rocks, or poured over vanilla ice cream. I'll be making a full bottle batch next!