There’s something special about the sweet aroma of strawberries that can instantly transport you to a sun-kissed summer day. Whether you’re baking, mixing cocktails, or creating your own beauty products, homemade strawberry extract can add a unique flavor and scent to your creations.
Making your own extracts allows you to control the ingredients, ensuring there are no artificial flavors or preservatives. Plus, the flavor of homemade extracts is often more vibrant than store-bought options. Strawberry extract can enhance your favorite desserts, elevate your morning yogurt, or even add a delicious touch to homemade ice creams.
Homemade Strawberry Extract
Instructions
- **Fresh Strawberries (2 cups)**: Choose ripe, sweet strawberries for the best flavor.– **Vodka (1 cup)**: Use a 90 proof or higher vodka for extraction. You can also use other neutral spirits like rum or brandy, depending on your preference.
- Wash and Hull the Strawberries**: Rinse the strawberries under cold water to remove any dirt. Remove the green tops (hulling) and slice the strawberries into quarters to increase the surface area for extraction.
- Place the sliced strawberries in your clean glass jar.
- Cover the strawberries completely with vodka, ensuring they’re fully submerged. Leave about half an inch of space at the top of the jar.
- Tightly seal the jar with the lid. Shake gently to combine the strawberries and vodka.
- Place the jar in a cool, dark place (like a pantry or cupboard) and let it steep. Shake the jar gently every few days.
- Allow the mixture to steep for a minimum of 4 to 6 weeks. The longer it sits, the more flavorful the extract will become. For a bolder flavor, consider letting it steep for up to 3 months.
- After the steeping period, use a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth to strain the liquid into a clean container. Press on the strawberries to extract as much liquid as possible.
- Use a funnel to transfer the strained extract into small dark glass bottles for storage. This helps preserve the flavor and aroma.
- Keep the bottles in a cool, dark place. Homemade strawberry extract has a shelf life of about 1-2 years.
Baking**: Add a teaspoon to cakes, cookies, or muffins for a fruity flavor.
– **Ice Cream**: Mix into your ice cream base for a refreshing strawberry treat.
– **Cocktails**: Use it to flavor cocktails like strawberry mojitos or daiquiris.
– **Beauty**: Add a few drops to DIY body scrubs or lip balms for a fragrant touch.
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