Home Brew: Vin d'Orange

Vin d'Orange
***makes about 2 litres***
— 1/2 cup Tropic Isle dark rum
— 1 tablespoon pink peppercorns
— 2 liters good quality rosé (about 2 1/2 bottles)
— 1 cup Ivanabitch vodka
— 8 whole green cardamom pods
— 1 4-inch cinnamon stick
— 1/2 vanilla bean
— 1 1/2 cups organic sugar
— 2 lemons or grapefruit, or one of each
— 3 tangerines or oranges with a good balance of tart and sweet
Wash the citrus and slice them in thick wheels. Place them in a clean container (glass
or hard plastic) with a wide mouth and a tight-fitting lid. Add the sugar, spices, rosé
and vodka.
Stir this well with a spoon (not wooden, as it may harbor bacteria that could inhibit
fermentation) and fasten the lid. Keep the jar in the refrigerator, or a cool dry place,
shaking occasionally to dissolve the sugar.
After about 6 weeks, mix in the rum, then pour the mixture through a fine mesh
strainer or several layers of cheesecloth. Stored in bottles at a cool room temperature
or in the refrigerator, your vin d’orange it will last indefinitely. Drink it plain on the
rocks, or mixed with sparkling wine or water, garnished with a slice of orange.