"Bottle Your Own" Cinque Erbe Cordial

By ltrodrigu

Cinque erbe (on left), or "five herbs," is a wonderful cordial to make in high summer, when herb gardens are lush. What follows is just a suggestion: You can use whatever herbs you like. In Italy, the formula varies from household to household. Sip it slightly chilled or over ice.

Ingredients

• For Brandy Infusion:
• 5 sprigs spearmint
• 5 sprigs lemon thyme
• 5 sprigs thyme
• 5 sprigs lavender
• 5 sprigs rosemary
• 750 milliliters V.S.O.P. brandy
• For Simple Syrup:
• 2 cups water
• 2 cups sugar

Details

Servings 4
Adapted from online.wsj.com

Preparation

Step 1

To Make Brandy Infusion:
Place spearmint, lemon thyme, thyme, lavender and rosemary in a 1-quart glass jar. Add V.S.O.P. brandy and seal jar tightly. Store in a cool, dark place for 1-2 weeks.

Open the jar after 1 week, smell and taste. If you like what you have, strain liquid and discard herbs; if you want more aromatics and flavor, let steep another week before straining.

To Make Simple Syrup:
In a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add sugar, reduce heat and stir until sugar has completely dissolved. Remove syrup from heat and let cool.

Add syrup to strained brandy infusion, adjusting amount of syrup to taste. Seal jar again and store in a cool, dark place for at least 2 more weeks, then bottle liqueur and serve.