Post by
Beancooker »
https://forums.nicoclub.com/beancooker-u42602.html
Mon Oct 06, 2008 7:26 pm
I was at a friend's restaurant this weekend, and he had made this. It is hands down, one of the best drinks I have ever tasted. It doesn't taste like wine, has a little bit of a bite, but not much, and is sweet. A few glasses will knock your d**k in the dirt.
He gave me the recipe, and so I will be making a large batch, since cherry leaves will be gone in a few weeks.
It's called "Guignolet". It can be served chilled, but I preferred it best after it warmed a little and was about 50º-60º.
Ingredients:
1 Bottle dry red wine (pinot noir, merlot or zinfandel) 3/4 Cup vodka1/3 Cup Sugar60 leaves from a cherry tree, washed. Pick the leaves while still green. 10-15 Cherries destemmed but NOT pitted. (Yes, you want to use the pits.
If you want a sweet drink, use sweet cherries. If you like a less sweet drink, use tart or pie cherries. What I drank was made with sweet cherries.
Mix all contents together, and put in a large seal able container. Store somewhere cool (40º-55ºF) and dark. Cover and let stand for 15 days.
After the 15 days, using a super fine strainer (shinwa) or if not available, many layers of cheesecloth, filter out the contents, so the drink is free of solids.
Using a ladel and funnel, bottle into wine bottles and cork. Fill bottle 1.5" - 2" from top. Can be stored for up to a year in a cool location. Refrigerate after opening.
To prepare bottles for bottling;
Wash and brush with soapy water. Rinse well. Take a large pot of water, and boil. Place bottles in boiling water until they are completely filled and submerged. Let boil for 10 minutes. Remove bottles with tongs, and place upside down to drain. (After the bottles drain, flip them right side up while still hot. The moisture that may be left will evaporate out, and you won't be left with condensation on the inside.) Place your new corks in near boiling (NOT BOILING) water for 3 minutes. (don't re-use the old corks)
Corking a bottle with a fresh cork is a PITA. If you are doing a large batch like I am (10-15 bottles) it is definitely worth getting a bottle corker.