Vyshnivka Update #2: In the Bottle!

After several weeks of steeping the cherries in rectified spirits, I drained most of the liquid, some of which I will save and serve as cherry vodka.  I left a couple of cups of liquid in the growler with the cherries and sprinkled in about 1/2 cup white sugar, swirling the contents to mix the […]

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 28th, 2012 at 3:33 pm and is filed under Spirits.

Pepper Vodka recipe in July 8th “Drink” column

Rosie Schapp, the New York Times Magazine “Drink” columnist, is featuring one of my vodka infusion recipes (for hot pepper vodka)  in her wonderful July 8th column devoted to drinks of Poland and Ukraine! Here’s the link:   “Drink:  Hurts So Good” The photo at left is the only bottle of pepper vodka I currently […]

This entry was posted on Friday, July 6th, 2012 at 12:05 pm and is filed under Spirits.

Vyshnivka update

Every year when the dark sweet cherries come in I think about vyshnivka, a delightfully rich, deceptively easy-to-drink flavored vodka made by soaking cherries in strong vodka (usually 140 proof)  for a couple of months, after which the alcohol is drained and reserved and sugar is added to the cherries, which sit some more.  The […]

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 5th, 2012 at 12:18 am and is filed under Food, Spirits, Ukrainian culture.