Liquore al Carciofo
Liquore al Carciofo
Artichoke Liqueur
Artichokes are practically synonymous with Roman dining, but they are a relatively new arrival there, having landed sometime in the Renaissance, when they were mainly consumed by members of the Jewish community escaping the Spanish Inquisition in Southern Italy. They have a much longer history in Sicily, where they have been prized for centuries for their medicinal benefits as well as their deliciousness; today, Sicily is one of Italy’s main producers of artichokes. While some preparations use the whole thing (artichokes roasted in hot embers, for example), many others, like Insalata di Carciofi e Bottarga, use only the tender inner leaves, hearts, and peeled stems. To prevent wasting the trimmings from such precious produce, use them in this Sicily-inspired digestif.
Ingredients (7)
Ingredients (7)
Instructions
Place the alcohol (32 oz), artichoke leaves (1 lb), cloves (10 whole), cinnamon (2 sticks), and lemon zest (1 lemon) in a clean large jar.
Seal and set aside in a dark place for 15 days.
Agitate the jar every few days.
Strain the infused alcohol into a clean jar and discard the solids.
Combine the water (5 cups) and sugar (5 cups) in a large saucepan and heat over medium-high heat until the sugar has dissolved, 3 to 5 minutes.
Remove the pan from the heat and allow the syrup to cool, about 20 minutes.
Add three-quarters of the syrup to the jar with the infused alcohol.
Taste and adjust the sweetness, adding more syrup as needed.
Seal the jar and set aside in a dark place for 1 week before serving.
Serve chilled.
The liquore al carciofo will keep in a sealed container in the refrigerator for at least 3 months or in the freezer for about 1 year. (Due to its high alcohol content, the liquid will not freeze.)
