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!
Orangecello
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.
Ingredients
- 6 large oranges
- 1 L everclear alcohol *
- 2 cup granulated sugar
- 3 cup water
Instructions
- Wash oranges with hot water and using a vegetable brush scrub oranges to remove residue and wax. Pat them dry.
- 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.
- Place rinds in a large container and pour everclear* over it.
- 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.
- Strain the peels from the alcohol and discard the peels.
- In a large saucepan over medium heat stir together sugar and water.
- Cook for 15 minutes, then remove from heat and cool.
- Pour sugar mixture to the alcohol.
- Store in the freezer until ready to serve.
Notes
Cooking Tips: * 100-proof vodka can be used instead of Everclear.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
48Serving Size:
2 oz shotAmount Per Serving: Calories: 87 Total Fat: 0g Saturated Fat: 0g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 1mg Carbohydrates: 11g Fiber: 0.6g Sugar: 10.5g Protein: 0.2g
Ellen says
I may have to give this a try as we have so many oranges on the tree right now! We make candied orange peels with some of the peels now but I’ve never thought to infuse vodka.
maryam s says
this sounds great and easy! i am going to try it with limes and honeybells also. if i WANT to add the simple syrup to make a true orangecello, how much should i add?
Laura Bashar says
Depending on how sweet you want it, my limoncello recipe uses 4 cups of sugar with 5 cups of water for the syrup. Click on the link in the post for limoncello and it will take you there: http://familyspice.com/recipes/recipe/?recipe_id=104. And depending on the oranges you use, I used the peels from 2 maybe 3 big valencia oranges.
maryam s says
by the way, sour cherries taste great when macerated in a bottle of vodka. they can be eaten alone or added to your cocktails.
Laura Bashar says
Yup, that is one of my husband’s first infusions when he was in college. Dried sour cherries soaking in a bottle of vodka! Ah… my next blog post!
LiztheChef says
Great idea – our orange tree is loaded!
Mary Papoulias-Platis - California Greek Girl says
Oranges are beneficial to your health..this is a great treat!
Seasonal…refreshing…and a lot of fun!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
Gorgeous orangecello!
john@kitchenriffs says
I really should try this. I don’t use regular vodka much in my cocktails, but the flavored vodkas are a different matter. And I do need some citron vodka – I should just make my own. Good stuff – thanks.
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
I was going to tell you that “but you are not a big drinker!” lol! Oranges are plenty in my house but I don’t have creative ideas like you and always end up eating fresh oranges. Beautiful shot!!!
mjskit says
I love lemoncello so I’m sure I would love the orangecello as well! This does look really easy but can I really wait 6 weeks. 🙂 Sure I can. Beautiful pictures!
Medeja says
Oh that’s wondeful idea! I don’t like to buy those weird orange, lemon or whatever vodkas. But it’s definitely worth making it at home.
Tina says
I too am not a big drinker but I make flavored liqueurs for my friends and family… I did a blood orange version and also a citrus version ( blood oranges, Valencia oranges and lemons) quite yummy!
Christine Frith says
Hi, do you know if I juiced the oranges and make a syrup with the juice to make it into orangecello it would work or would the orange juice go off?
Laura Bashar says
If you make it this way and store your vodka in the refrigerator, it can last for 6-8 weeks. But yes, eventually the orange juice will go bad and you will have to throw out the remaining liqueur. Limoncello and Orangecello gets the essence of the fruit from the peel, not the juice.
yvonne says
Are there any recipes cooking or baking that use the vodka soaked peels? It seem such a waste to not use them@
Family Spice says
You sound like my husband! Honestly, these peels are pretty potent and have lost most of their orange flavor. Same thing with any fruits you use to infuse in alcohol.