How to Make Orangecello and Orange Infused Vodka

Like it’s lemon version, Orangecello is easy to make. All you need is a bottle of vodka, a couple Valencia oranges to make orange vodka, and then add the simple syrup.

Okay, okay, I know what you are thinking… Here she goes again. More infused booze. The funny thing is that I’m not even a big drinker! The full bar we have in our house is my husband’s little hobby. He loves collecting liqueurs and cocktail recipes.

Our front room is not a traditional living room, but a man room with a stocked bar, bear rug and piano. El hubbo was neutral when I started my blog. He enjoyed the dishes I made and my kitchen experiments. But he really lit up when I started mixing drinks. His very own bar wench.

What fruits can you infuse vodka with?

My cousin introduced us to the first of many fruit infusions. She added small, homegrown plums to vodka and let it sit. That really got the hubby buzzing (no pun intended!), especially when the booze is done and you are left with some highly potent plums.

We made some plum infused vodka with our own with our neighbor’s plums and then with pomegranates. My parents brought us Limoncello when they went to Italy and of course, we decided to make our own limoncello. So, I knew exactly what I would do with part of my valencia orange harvest last year, orange infused vodka and Orangecello.

How to make orange infused vodka

Valencia oranges are thin-skinned and full of juice versus the naval orange counterparts. I experimented with two versions of my orange infused vodka. The first infused vodka with just the orange peel and the second infused vodka made with orange slices.

Then I stuck them in the dark cabinet and kinda forgot about them.

The hubby wanted straight up orange infused vodka, so we didn’t add the sugar syrup, as you would to make Limoncello or Orangecello. We wanted to make an orange flavored vodka.

Which version tasted better? Quite surprisingly, the straight up orange peel version worked better.

How long does it take to make orange vodka?

So I’ve told you how easy it is to make orange infused vodka. Simply stuff a bottle with the peel of two Valencia oranges and fill up with vodka. Stick it in a dark place and let it sit for 6 weeks ’til whenever.

Unlike limoncello, where you don’t leave the peel in so long for the infusion process, orange vodka doesn’t turn bitter the longer the peel sits. My final photos were taken a year after I first infused the vodka and orange, but we found that the vodka had orange flavor after two months.

What do you do with orange vodka?

So now you are thinking, I have a bottle of orange vodka, now what? Well, you can make yourself an orange martini by adding a splash of vermouth. You can enjoy it straight up in shots or mix in  some simple syrup to make orangecello. 

Basically, you can use this orange vodka in any cocktails that require vodka. Salut and enjoy!

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Yield: 1-liter

Orangecello

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Like it's lemon version, Orangecello is easy to make. All you need is a bottle of vodka, a couple Valencia oranges to make orange vodka, and then add the simple syrup.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Additional Time 14 days

Total Time 14 days 25 minutes

Ingredients

• 6 large oranges
• 1 L everclear alcohol *
• 2 cup granulated sugar
• 3 cup water

Instructions

1. Wash oranges with hot water and using a vegetable brush scrub oranges to remove residue and wax. Pat them dry.
2. Using a potato peeler or zester, take all or the orange rinds off the oranges so there is no white pith on the rind. Only remove the orange, otherwise orangecello will be bitter.
3. Place rinds in a large container and pour everclear* over it.
4. Cover the container and let it sit for at least 10 days and up to 30 in a cool dark place. No need to stir during that time.
5. Strain the peels from the alcohol and discard the peels.
6. In a large saucepan over medium heat stir together sugar and water.
7. Cook for 15 minutes, then remove from heat and cool.
8. Pour sugar mixture to the alcohol.
9. Store in the freezer until ready to serve.

Notes

Cooking Tips: * 100-proof vodka can be used instead of Everclear.

You can use any variety of oranges, I personally like the Valencia orange. Just be sure to cut the orange peel and leave the pith behind because it causes bitterness.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

48

Serving Size:

2 oz shot
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 87Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 1mgCarbohydrates: 11gFiber: 0.6gSugar: 10.5gProtein: 0.2g