Known as Krupnikas, this Lithuanian concoction cannot be bought, it is always traditionally homemade. And seeing as honey is a big part of the recipe (it calls for a full litre), and we love local honey, we thought, this might be the perfect recipe to share on the official first weekend of summer. What’s not to love – homemade liquor, delicious honey from local bees, and preserving something for winter? Chef’s kiss.
We were able to get our hands on a recipe, translated from the traditional Lithuanian, courtesy of Kathi Z. The mix of honey and sugar is important, “it makes it less rich in a good way – it can be too much when it’s straight honey.” She says, adding, “The longer it sits, the better it tastes. The flavor really deepens.”
Make it now so it’s ready for cold and flu season, or just a warming shot on a frosty night.
Lithuanian Krupnikas
Ingredients
3 black cardamom seeds, approx 4-5 g, crushed
8 green cardamom seeds, approx 4 g, crushed
1 nutmeg seed, crushed
1 g saffron
1 level tbsp mace, approx 7 g
1 level tbsp cloves, approx 6 g
1 vanilla stick slit open
1 heaping tsp caraway seeds, approx 4 g
12 g fresh ginger sliced thin
3 strands of sweet grass (from braided batch)
1 tsp rue herb powder
3 thin pieces of Angelica root, approx 2 g
4 g fresh turmeric (2 one inch chunks) sliced thin
10 juniper berries, crushed
a tiny touch of allspice
3 whole anise split up into pieces
1 6-inch cinnamon stick, approx 6 g
1100 ml honey and 1300 ml sugar – a blend of the two is best!
Full recipe, with photos of all ingredients and detailed instructions here
