Homebrew Underground

Part III – Blending and Bottling

Assemble all the the ingredients for blending and bottling. Shown below clockwise from far left: macerated spirits, caramel syrup, sugar syrup, 100 proof vodka (Smirnoff No. 57), vanilla extract and a glass 2-cup measuing cup. Refer to the recipes for standard sugar syrup and standard caramel syrup here at the website.

It is easiest to make a blending stock of caramel syrup, sugar syrup and 100 proof vodka and use it when you are ready to blend and bottle the liqueur. Blending is simplified this way. Start by adding 1 1/3 cup of caramel syrup to a 2 cup glass measuring cup. Fill to the level of the first line in the photo below. Next, add standard sugar syrup to the 2 cup line. Pour the combined syrups into a clean jar emptying the measuring cup. Next, pour 1 cup of 100 proof vodka into the same cup and stir with a wooden spoon to dissolve all the syrup that clings to the inside of the measuring cup into the vodka. Pour this into the same jar as the syrup mix. Stir the blending stock in the jar thoroughly. Set the jar aside for blending.

When you are ready to blend and bottle, simply pour 1 cup of macerated spirits into a clean jar, then add 3 cups of blending stock plus one teaspoon of vanilla extract. Stir with a wooden spoon until thoroughly mixed. Use a funnel then fill, cork and label each bottle, then seal with a hood.

The photo below shows the clarity and color as compared to DiSaronno Originale.