Base Formulas & Technique

Basic Cordial

The start-anywhere formula. Any fruit, vodka, sugar - three weeks.

Basic Cordial — illustration
Illustration — a stand-in until there's a photo of the real thing.

Source Basic Cordials, Master Terafan Greydragon — original

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs fresh fruit
  • 2 cups 100 proof vodka
  • 1 cup sugar

Method

  1. Throw it all in a blender and puree it well.
  2. Pour it into a bottle and let it sit for 2 to 3 weeks.
  3. Strain out the pulp, then filter through a coffee filter.
  4. Some liqueurs need to age longer, but most will be ready to drink.

Notes

  • A great number of recipes call for either a pinch of cinnamon or one vanilla bean. Worth trying if you think it will lift the fruit.
  • To pull more flavour out of the fruit, freeze it first. Water expands as it freezes, which ruptures the cell walls and releases more of the essence.
  • Spirit quality matters more than you'd expect - use a decent vodka.