Raspberry Cordial – Part One
Growing up, I was OBSESSED with the ‘Anne of Green Gables’ PBS mini series. I think if you looked long enough through my parent’s basement, you could still find the old, worn out VHS tape that my mom recorded off the t.v. for me. One of my favorite parts of the series was when Anne had Diana over for tea and was given permission to serve Marilla’s raspberry cordial. Anne grabbed the wrong bottle and Diana downed three glassfuls of currant wine instead. Diana ran home after drinking herself sick and her mother forbid Anne from seeing her, saying that she was a wicked girl…so scandalous. If you haven’t seen the series, you are missing out on an important part of my childhood and should find it and watch it asap.
One year, my mom pronounced that she was making a batch of raspberry cordial and I got so excited. I imagined throwing a tea party with my very own bosom friends. We would wear elegant dresses and I would serve the raspberry cordial just like Anne had intended to do on the show. That dream was quickly crushed by mom, who informed me that the cordial took several months to make and that I was not old enough to drink it.
Months passed and finally the day came to open up the cordial. I think it was Christmas time(Mom?). I knew I shouldn’t press my luck, but impatiently skulked around the kitchen, hoping to get a taste. To my surprise, my mom poured out a tiny juice glass full and handed it to me. I put it to my lips, feeling like such a grown-up, and took a sip. It was like liquid candy, special grown-up liquid candy. That was the first and last time mom made the cordial, so my memory of the exact flavor is lost.
Recently, I came across the recipe in a family cookbook. I thought it would be the perfect holiday treat and knew I had better get it started right away if it was going to be ready by December. I have to tell you that I feel a little sick to my stomach about doing anything related to the holiday season this far in advance, but anything containing booze is totally worth it.
I am hoping that some of you will make this along with me and that we can exchange pictures and results. If you decide to give it a try, please let me know! I chose to split my batch between two quart-sized Ball jars. The lid doesn’t need to be sealed like you would for canning. I’m not sure if you have to use glass, but I figured I would play it safe. Does anyone have insight about using glass versus plastic for this? I was thinking that a sun tea jar would work great if you wanted to make it all in one container. You could also split it up in lots of smaller jars. That’s the way my mom did it.
Raspberry Cordial
Makes about 2 Liters
- 36 ounces Fresh Raspberries
- 1 lb Sugar Cubes
- 1 liter Vodka
- 1 liter Distilled Water
Wash out your container(s) until squeaky clean, even if brand new.
Combine all of the ingredients in your container(s) in the following order: sugar cubes on the bottom, raspberries, vodka, and distilled water on top. Do NOT stir.
Secure a lid on your container(s) and store in a cool, dark place. Wait three months before opening.
I hope you will give this very special recipe a try. Please let me know if you have questions and I will do my best to answer them, or find someone who can. I will update you with the results in December!
Easy and tasty.
Just to clarify this really was Grandpa Kobe’s specialty and I did brew it in one container and when it was done split it up. Can’t wait to taste it again, so glad you’re doing it.
I always use rock sugar and a stick of cinnamon. No water though, just a generous handful of berries, a cup of rock sugar, a bottle of clear liquor like wodka with at least 38% alcohol and the cinnamon. That’s it… So yummy! I just wish you wouldn’t have to wait that long before you can sample it…
Your version sounds good too! I’m sure there are a bunch of ways to do it.
Couple questions:
1- Does the sugar eventually dissolve?
2- If not, how do you serve it when the time comes? Do you just stir and pour?
Last christmas I infused several different flavors of vodka and packaged them in repurposed baby food jars and gave them as gifts. I made Cranberry, Melon, and Ginger Pear. I’m definitely doing it again this year, and I’m definitely using this recipe! Thank you!
1. Yes 2. I would stir and strain it. I would love to know more about your vodka infusions.
Thanks!
I did three. The first two were super simple. I rinded some melon and stuck it in a jar with Vodka. The second – I halved a couple pears and peeled some ginger, let it all sit in more vodka! Whooooooo!
http://www.marthastewart.com/313818/cranberry-and-orange-vodka
That was the third.
Again, I slapped some holiday labels on some cleaned out baby food jars, and gave out giftpacks with all three vodkas and a recipe card.
Oh, and I did some research into the glass v plastic thing last year, and the general internet consensus is “use glass, not plastic.”
I saw this on foodgawker and immediately thought “Anne of Green Gables”. I loved that series too. I recently book the first book at a used book store just because.
I’m going to try this too, I’ll let you know how it turns out!
Cool, please do let me know how it goes!
Love Your post, thanks for sharing your memories:)
If you have never come across it, there was published an “Ann OF Green Gables” Cookbook with most of the recipes mentioned in the stories. I definitely remember a recipe for Raspberry Cordial, but I haven’t seen the book since I was a child. Might be worth keeping an eye out for a copy
That’s awesome. I am going to hunt for a copy!
I too loved that miniseries!! So good. This is a fun idea, thanks for the inspiration.
I’ve never had a cordial before, but I always see it in my vintage cookbooks! You might have just given me the gumption to try it soon =)
I have never heard of that show before and I have never had this before either! It seems interesting though and I look forward to seeing your results in December!
Waiting will be the hardest part.
If I can find some raspberries I’ll give it a go too!
Yay! Keep me updated!
Love this recipe! Brings back memories of reading the book!
We are making this right now…taking pictures too! How do we post on here?? We want to share our pictures!
Did you update this post? Would love to see the pictures of the finished product. Just started a half recipe and wanted to see the final outcome. Hope it made pretty gifts
I totally dropped the ball on the finished product update. Life got a little crazy. It was really delicious!