OK I know what you are thinking now, one of 3 words: what? why? ewww! Now hold on, we are here to explore new tastes and sometimes the unknown can be quite a revelation.
This liqueur is all Tasty Trix’s fault. I even emailed her and told her so. Tasty Trix talked about an Icelandic birch Liqueur she discovered on a recent trip. I wanted to try it but I would have to go to Iceland. She mentioned Pine Liqueur was close. I got none of that around either.
But I just happen to still have 3 ice cubes of spruce extract in the freezer from when I made Spruce Beer soda a while back. So I went searching for a liqueur recipe that would fit the bill with my spruce ressource.
Spruce Liqueur
1 1/2c vodka
2 tbsp spruce extract
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
Add the spruce extract to the vodka and steep for 10 days.
Put sugar and water in a small pan. Bring to a boil and stir until all the sugar is dissolved. Let simple syrup cool. Add the sugar syrup and mature for 2 to 4 weeks.
After proper maturity the taste is quite nice and only slightly evergreen-ish. Really it is pretty good. And I even found a perfect cocktail to use my Spruce Liqueur. It mixes surprisingly well with lemon and soda. I dare you to try it!
Lemon Spruce Fizz
1/4 cup Spruce Liqueur
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 cup soda water
lemon twist to decorate
Add liqueur, lemon juice and soda water to a shaker. Shake vigorously with 1 ice cube. Pour into a martini glass and serve with a twist of lemon rind.
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The Vegan round up of the Creative Cooking Crew is up: check the pics on our Pinterest page and here are the links to the participants!
The Vegan Gutbuster from Lori of Taste with the Eyes.
Old Fashioned Chocolate Cake with Cranberry Topping from Evelyne of Cheap Ethnic Eatz.
Sweet Plantain Empanadas with Mixed Mushroom Picadillo from Norma at Platanos, Mangoes + Me!
Pumpkin Crepes and Maple Ice Cream from Marisa, Cook’s Book.
Mushroom Yakitori and Mushroom Scallion Potstickers from the Home Skillet team.
Nime Chow from Victoria of Mission Food
Smoked Tempeh & Grain Meat Meatballs with Zucchini Spaghetti & Grain Meat Ragu from Lazaro Cooks.
Lemongrass Chickpea Tofu Skewers with Spicy Soya Pomelo Dip from Maya of Foodiva’s Kitchen
Two Potato Tofu Napoleon from Christo of ChezWhat?
Vegan Sushi and Edamame Salad by Maureen of Cuisine by Maureen
Batata Vada by Deana of Lost Past Remembered
Baked Pear and Chi Lentils from The Ardent Epicure
Gnocchi with Roasted Garlic Cashew “Cheese” from Tracey of TastyTrix
Broccoli Divan by Faith of An Edible Mosaic
Lentil Loaf by Erica of My Colombian Recipes.
Cauliflower Soup by Laura of La Diva Cucina
Hot Tofu Sliders from Angela of Spinach Tiger
Meatless Meatballs + Spaghetti from Jessica of Cajunlicious
Tempeh Filo Triangles and Brussels Sprouts Slaw from Kelly of Pink Apron.
Baja Style Tofu Tacos with Beet/Carrot Slaw + Avocado Mash from Debi.
And, La Frita, my vegan Cuban burger.
Does it taste at all like Christmas tree? lol I love how adventurous you are! I would definitely give this a shot! Life is too short 😉
I’m not much of a alcoholic drinker so it’s hard to tell how these drinks taste like. But my husband on the other hand will be up for any kind of drink! LOL. Have a great weekend!
First time I ever heard of spruce…and as for me…by adding liquor, everything turns tastier….
Have a wonderful weekend Evelyne!
Spruce liquor…how interesting. Sounds like a very refreshing drink.
I’m curious as to what that spruce liquor would taste like on it’s own…
Okay, first I laughed, then I laughed some more, then I thought, what a lovely glass and then, I must try.
I am intrigued by this! I’m not sure where I’m going to find spruce liqueur, but if I can find it I’m making this!
Oh, aren’t you sweet, Evelyne! I’ll let you know if I have an urgent need for your cocktail! Thanks for your kindness!!!
LOL, of all my foodie friends, I think you have the most usual and eclectic recipes and dishes! Always makes for a fun visit. And I’m a big fan of Trix, too 🙂 I’m game to try a lemon spruce fizz!
Liz that is the best compliment anyone can give me as far as my blog 🙂
The drinks sounds interesting…. I would love to try it, Evelyne!
Very interesting! Never tried spruce liqueur before!
I remember having this spruce beer in Montreal when we visited. They kept warning us about it and thought that we wouldn’t like it but it was really nice! 🙂
This just may very well end up popping up for girls night =)
Interesting looking glass!
You’ve spruced up the cocktail pretty well:)
Sounds like a great drink! I would love to try it too.
You know I am down to try this!!!! Very, very clever!!