Making Your Own Pumpkin Spiced Rum Liqueur
Ingredients:
• 2 C. Water
• 1 C. White (refined) Sugar
• 1 C. Light Brown Sugar (Packed)
• 1 Can (15 oz) Pumpkin Purée (not pie filling)
• 6 Cinnamon Sticks (approximately 3” in length each)
• 6 Whole Cloves
• 2 Vanilla Beans, split lengthwise
• 2 C. Aged Rum (high-congener, if possible)
Directions:
Combine the water and the white and brown sugars in a medium saucepan, stirring until all the sugar has dissolved. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Remove from the heat and incorporate the pumpkin, cinnamon sticks, cloves and vanilla beans. Stir until all ingredients are dissolved and bring the mixture to a low simmer. Reduce the heat to low and continue to simmer the mixture for 20 to 30 minutes.
Pour the pumpkin mixture through a cheesecloth and let it drain into a tempered glass bowl, until most of the liquid has passed through and only a thick paste remains. Gently press on the paste with a rubber spatula to release any remaining liquid, then discard the contents of the strainer. You should have collected approximately 2 cups of strained liquid.
Combine the pumpkin- infused liquid with the rum, transfer it into a 1-quar t container and set it aside until it reaches room temperature, then seal the container and store it in a dark, cool place for at least a couple of days before serving. Will keep for at least 30 days.
Did you know that...
...A cup of cubed pumpkin contains almost twice the recommended daily intake of vitamin A, which promotes good vision, especially in dim light, according to the National Institutes of Health.
...Pumpkin seed oil is full of phytoestrogens, which research shows are beneficial for preventing hyper tension.