There’s nothing better than having a good homemade liqueur on hand that concentrates the flavors of the land, like this recipe for calafate liqueur. It’s perfect for cold winter evenings and serves as a symbol of cuisine from the end of the world.
Contents
How to Make Calafate Liqueur?
Calafate liqueur is prepared using fresh berries, which are macerated in aguardiente (a type of distilled liquor) and later sweetened with caramelized sugar.
Nutritional Facts
Each serving of calafate liqueur contains approximately 180 kcal, 30 g of carbohydrates, 0 g of fat, 0 g of protein, 1 g of fiber, 30 g of sugars, 0 mg of cholesterol, and 5 mg of sodium.
Chilean Calafate Liqueur Recipe
Maceration Time: 30 days
Resting Time: 6 months
Servings: 12 people
Ingredients
- 3 kg of calafate berries
- 500 g of sugar
- 1 liter of aguardiente
- 1 liter of water
Preparation Steps
- Wash the calafate berries, removing any that are damaged. Place the berries in a large glass container, preferably a demijohn. Add the aguardiente, mix gently, and let it rest in a warm, dry place at room temperature for at least 3 months. Strain the berries from the alcohol and set both aside.
- In a medium pot, combine sugar and water. Stir until dissolved and heat over medium heat until it forms a “soft thread” syrup. To test, take a spoonful of syrup and let it drizzle from above; it should form a thread that breaks easily. Turn off the heat and let cool.
- Process the calafate berries in a blender or food processor, then strain through a stainless steel sieve. Rinse the berries with the reserved alcohol to maximize extraction. Combine the strained alcohol and calafate juice in the demijohn. Add the syrup, seal with a cork, and gently swirl to mix everything thoroughly. Allow to rest for at least 6 months before consuming.
Serving Suggestions
Serve as an aperitif or digestif in a glass with crushed ice and garnish with a slice of lemon.
Where to Buy Calafate Liqueur?
Since fresh, ripe calafate berries can be challenging to find outside their native growing regions, including Santiago or other parts of Chile, it is possible to purchase pre-made calafate liqueur. Prices typically range around USD15 for 500 ml.
