Horseradish Schnapps
You need fresh horseradish root for this liquor. Jarred prepared horseradish is too finely grated, which tends to make the spirit overly cloudy. It also contains trace amounts of vinegar, oil, and salt, which would affect the clean, clear flavor.
Whole horseradish root has practically no aroma, but when it is grated, the broken cells produce mustard oil (horseradish and mustard belong to the same botanical family), which irritates your mucous membranes. The membranes weep to rid your system of the irritating oil, producing a cleansing effect throughout your skull. That effect, though moderately painful, is wonderfully refreshing.
Makes 1 pint
Ingredients
1 fifth (750 ml/3 1/4 cups) vodka (80-100 proof)
1 1/2 cups coarsely shredded fresh horseradish root
Instructions
1. Combine the vodka and horseradish in a half-gallon jar. Stir to moisten the horseradish.
2. Seal the jar and put it in a cool, dark cabinet until the liquid smells and tastes strongly of horseradish, 2 to 4 hours.
3. Strain the mixture with a mesh strainer lined with several layers of dampened cheesecloth into a clean quart jar. Do not push on the solids to extract more liquid.
4. Seal and store in a cool, dark cabinet. Use within 1 year.
Note: The liqueur will precipitate small bits of horseradish as it sits. These are not harmful, but you might find them unattractive. Obviously this is the vodka of choice for Bloody Mary's . Also makes a lethal shooter.
:twisted: