I am resurfacing with a boozy treat for you after hosting my very first photography retreat here at the homestead. The workshop was positively wonderful—we had a group of 12 women from all over the US, Canada, and Central America, and I had forgotten how uplifting it is to be around that kind of joyous creative energy. I was to have my friend Bea co-host with me (and visit all the way from England), which was a real treat! And now that I’m getting back into the groove of recipe testing and writing again, I am offering up this wickedly delicious grapefruit and vanilla liqueur to you today.
It’s very simple to make, you just poke some small holes in a grapefruit, cut up a vanilla bean and then put it in the holes so it looks like a spikey ball. Then you add some everclear to a large glass container (this 1 gallon glass jar is the one I use), then place two small 4-ounce mason jars inside so they are above the alcohol line. Then you put the grapefruits on top of the small jars. And you put a lid on the big container, and wait. After about 6 weeks, the small jars will fill with the essential oils and concentrated flavors of the grapefruit and the vanilla bean. At this point you can take the grapefruits out and discard them, then just dump the grapefruit vanilla liquid into the everclear, and add a homemade syrup mixture to sweeten and dilute it to bring the alcohol percentage down. And voila! You have an insanely delicious liqueur of your own making.
You might be worried that the citrus will mold during the weeks it’s sitting there. It won’t because of the alcohol vapors inside the glass container. They act as a natural preservative and sterilizer, keeping any bad bacteria or fungi from growing, while preserving and extracting the flavors of the grapefruit and vanilla bean. It’s pretty scientific stuff. And this process creates THE most flavorful liqueurs. I love this flavor combination in particular because at first sip you’re hit with the aromatic sweetness of the vanilla, and then you get the zing of the grapefruit, and about 5 seconds after you swallow, you get the little pleasantly bitter aftertaste that’s signature of grapefruit. It’s like a little grapefruit vanilla aperol, but a sweeter version. It’s perfect for sipping on ice on a hot day, or mixing with sparkling water, sparkling wine, or mixing in cocktails. I hope you enjoy this grapefruit vanilla liqueur, my friend, and if you’re looking for some more boozy adventures, this is also the perfect time to make my homemade strawberry liqueur as well!
Grapefruit and Vanilla Liqueur
This grapefruit and vanilla liqueur is refreshment in a bottle. Each sip has the aromatic sweetness of vanilla, the zing of grapefruit, and a pleasantly bitter finish.
Ingredients
Grapefruit and Vanilla Liqueur
- 2 vanilla beans
- 2 small grapefruits the more fragrant, the better
- 4 cups 96% food grade alcohol aka Everclear
- 4 cups water
- 2 cups granulated sugar
Instructions
Grapefruit and Vanilla Liqueur
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Cut each vanilla bean in half lengthwise, then while keeping the two halves pressed together, cut each one into 8 segments. So you should have 32 pieces total.
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Using a small paring knife poke 16 small shallow holes in each grapefruit (just deep enough to be able to poke a piece of vanilla bean into without it falling out). Put 1 vanilla bean piece in each hole in *one* of the grapefruits, leave holes empty in the other. Set aside the grapefruit and the rest of the vanilla bean pieces for a moment.
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Pour the everclear into a 1-gallon glass container (I use this one https://amzn.to/4jQ9R7F). Place two empty 4 ounce mason jars in the container, they should be taller than the alcohol line, so that no alcohol goes into the jars. Place a grapefruit on top of each of the small mason jars. Scatter the remaining vanilla bean pieces in the high proof alcohol, and put the lid on the large gallon jar. Store in a cool dark place away from direct sunlight for 6 weeks.
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When you’re ready to finish the liqueur, heat the water and sugar in a saucepan over medium high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer until the sugar has completely dissolved, about 6 to 8 minutes, stirring every couple minutes or so. Remove from heat and allow it to cool to room temperature. **DO NOT** add hot syrup to the grapefruit mixture, as the heat will destroy the delicate flavors you’ve spent weeks extracting and preserving.
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While the syrup is cooling, you can remove the grapefruits from the big jar. They will be pretty much empty of juice, and you can see the juice and oils that have collected from the fruits in the small jars. You can discard the actual grapefruits since they’re not really edible at this point (and they have a ton of alcohol in them from the vapors). Pour the grapefruit liquid out of the small jars straight into the alcohol. Strain the grapefruit alcohol mixture to remove the vanilla bean bits and keep the liquid (you can add the vanilla bean bits to any homemade vanilla extract you have brewing).
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Once the syrup is cooled, you can mix it into the grapefruit alcohol mixture. Stir until combined, and then distribute it between several bottles or jars (I was able to distribute it between two 750 ml bottles, but you can use whatever clean glass bottles or jars you have laying around). Seal with a lid or cork and store in a cool dark place out of direct sunlight. Enjoy within 1 year.
I can not wait to make this. I love grapefruits and vanilla, what a perfect combination! I see Christmas presents coming up. Even though I haven’t tried yet I gave it 5 stars because how can it not be delicious!
Aw thank you dear Vickie!! I agree that it would make a PERFECT Christmas gift, especially in some cute little bottles with a bit of twine and a little pine cutting tied around the neck. Such a great idea!
What does Grapefruit Vanilla Liqueur taste like? Does the vanilla mellow out the tartness of the Retro Bowl College grapefruit, or do both flavors shine equally?
I think it would be the ideal Christmas present, especially in adorable small bottles with a little pine speed stars cutting tied around the neck and a piece of string. What a fantastic concept!
If you love creativity and challenges, Sprunki Retake will captivate you from the first time you play! Each melody you create is not just music but also a separate story. Get ready to sing along to your own original hits!
This grapefruit vanilla liqueur sounds like liquid sunshine in a bottle – bright, Buckshot Roulette aromatic, and with just the right touch of bitterness to keep things interesting. The suspended citrus method is genius, and I love how it becomes a cocktail base and a conversation piece all in one.
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