"Ginjinha, often referred to as simply “Ginja,” is a traditional Portuguese liqueur that holds a special place in Portuguese culture and gastronomy. It is a sweet cherry liqueur made from a specific type of sour cherries called “Ginja” or “Morello cherries.”"
Portuguese-Inspired Cherry Liqueur
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Prep time: 30mins
Serves or Makes: 6
Recipe Card
ingredients
- 1 pound sour or tart cherries
- 1 cup vodka
- 1 cup high quality red wine
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
Method
Step 1
Sterilize a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid by boiling it in hot water for 10 minutes, or by putting it through a hot dishwasher cycle.
Step 2
Wash the cherries thoroughly and remove the pits.
Step 3
In the sterilized jar, place the pitted cherries, sugar, and cinnamon sticks.
Step 4
Pour the vodka and red wine over the cherries and other ingredients in the jar, ensuring they are fully submerged.
Step 5
Close the jar tightly and store it in a cool, dark place for at least 4 weeks. The longer it sits, the richer the flavors will be.
Step 6
Shake the jar gently every couple of days to help dissolve the sugar and distribute the flavors evenly.
Step 7
Strain out the cherries and spices through a fine-mesh sieve. Bottle the strained liquid into sterilized glass bottles and seal tightly. Optionally, you can keep a few of the cherries in each bottle for decorative purposes and extra flavor.
Step 8
Your homemade ginjinha is now ready to be enjoyed! You can serve it neat, on the rocks, or even use it in various cocktails.