Baked Apple Liqueur Recipe

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Try Grandma’s German Baked Apple Liqueur – tart apple flavor combined with swirls of cinnamon, vanilla, and the aroma of brown sugar. Use it to make delicious cocktails or as a homemade holiday gift. Jump to Recipe

German Baked Apple Liqueur: The perfect homemade holiday gift 

As the cold days have arrived it’s time to indulge in warming beverages like my apple mulled wine and delicious homemade liqueurs like Granny’s German Egg Liqueur.

For fans of baked apples and apple pie, here is another seasonal spirit:  Homemade baked apple liqueur – think of this as a light fruit liqueur with the sweetness of apples, a slight taste of caramel, subtle flavors of woody cinnamon and vanilla!

The perfect choice for cozy gatherings around the holidays.  

What does Apple Liqueur Taste like?

This homemade liqueur combines a crisp apple aroma with a comforting layer of warm spices like cinnamon and vanilla, and rum in a delicious blend. The flavors of this liqueur clearly remind you of a warm baked apple fresh from the oven. Simply wonderful yet made with real food ingredients and no artificial colors and aromas. 

Fans of apple schnapps will love this homemade holiday liqueur.

This German baked apple liqueur is not only a delight to sip on your own but also an excellent gift for friends and family that is quick and easy to make. 

If you decorate the bottles nicely with a cinnamon stick and label them, you can turn these into a super cute holiday gift.

What is apple liqueur made of? 

Ingredients:

You can find the exact ingredients in the recipe card below.

• The apple juice forms the base – the best-case scenario would be pure apple juice from sun-ripened apples, from local orchards but hey, get the best stuff you can afford 
• the combination of brown and white sugar adds pleasant sweetness.
• For spices, we use cinnamon, cloves, vanilla, and star anise, which give the liqueur a festive touch. You could add some orange peel for subtle orange notes.
• The rum rounds it all off, giving the liqueur a pleasing warmth and depth.

The preparation of this liqueur is simple and straightforward, and the ingredients are easy to obtain. The liqueur can be made and stored in larger quantities, so you always have a bottle on hand to pamper yourself and your guests.

How to make apple liqueur: 

• Step 1: Pour the apple juice into a large pot and add the brown and white sugars. Then add the cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise to the pot.

• Step 2: Cut the vanilla pod in half lengthwise and scrape out the seeds. Add the vanilla seeds to the apple juice-sugar mixture. Place the scraped-out vanilla pod itself into the pot.
• Step 3: Bring the liquid to a boil and let it simmer for about 10 minutes over medium heat. This allows the flavors to blend well. Let the liqueur cool for 5-10 minutes.
• Step 4: After the liquid has cooled slightly, carefully remove the vanilla pods, star anise, cloves, and cinnamon sticks from the pot. They will have imparted enough flavor by this point.
• Step 5: Now it’s time to add the brown rum. Stir it into the strained liquid. The rum provides the liqueur with its characteristic alcohol content and the perfect combination of flavors.
• Step 6: Prepare two bottles with a capacity of 700 ml each, or four smaller ones. You can easily pour the baked apple liqueur mixture into the bottles using a funnel.
• Step 7: Seal the bottles immediately to ensure that the liqueur retains its flavors and nothing evaporates.
• Step 8: While baked apple liqueur can be enjoyed immediately after preparation, its flavor reaches its peak after steeping for about four weeks.

What’s the shelf-life of Homemade Baked Apple Liqueur?

Homemade baked apple liqueur is typically shelf-stable for several months, if not years, provided it is stored correctly.

The alcohol content of the rum and the preserving effect of the sugar contributes to its shelf life. It’s essential to store the liqueur in well-sealed bottles in a cool, dark place to maintain the taste and quality. Over time, the flavors may even improve, so many people like to let their homemade liqueur mature for a longer period for that full body taste.

Can I Use Apple Cider Instead of Apple Juice?

Yes, it is possible to use apple cider instead of apple juice. Apple cider imparts a more intense apple flavor and additional depth to the liqueur.

However, note that the alcohol content in apple cider can vary, so you may need to adjust the sugar content in the recipe to achieve the desired level of sweetness. Do not use white wine – it will not taste good. 

What Types of Rum Are Best for Making This Liqueur?

For making baked apple liqueur, brown rum is typically the best choice. The rum’s flavor contributes to the warmth and depth of the liqueur. You can use any brown rum of your choice, whether it’s a light or dark rum. A golden rum with sweet and spicy notes pairs particularly well with the baked apple flavors. If you do not like rum, use a neutral spirit like vodka, or any grain spirits. 

How do you use apple liqueur? 

Serve this baked apple liqueur at room temperature in small liqueur glasses to fully savor the flavor. It’s also great served cold over ice. It works exceptionally well as an ingredient in various delicious holiday cocktails, such as a Baked Apple Spritz ( just mix with prosecco), added to a warm apple cider cocktail, or make a Baked Apple Martini.

The liqueur is also excellent as a dessert liqueur and can be served with biscotti to finish of Christmas dinner.

Can I drink the homemade Liqueur immediately or shall I let it steep / rest?

You can enjoy baked apple liqueur immediately after preparation. The recommendation to let it steep for about four weeks is to further develop and intensify the flavors. The longer the liqueur steeps, the more mature and harmonious its taste becomes.

For more delicious holiday recipes, try my German Hazelnut Meringue Cookies, My German Apple Cake with Custard, and my German Almond Cookies.

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German Apple Liqueur

Try Grandma's German Baked Apple Liqueur - tart apple flavor combined with swirls of cinnamon, vanilla, and the aroma of brown sugar. Use it to make delicious cocktails or as a homemade holiday gift

Course Dessert, drink

Cuisine German

Keyword apple liqueur, apple liqueur recipe, baked apple liqueur, homemade apple liqueur

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Servings 2 bottles

Calories 100 kcal

Ingredients

• 4 1/2 cups Apple Juice - 1 l
• 1/2 cups brown sugar - 90 g
• 1/2 cups white Sugar - 90g
• 2 Cinnamon Sticks
• 1 Vanilla Pod
• 2 Cloves
• 1 Star Anise
• 1 1/3 cups Brown Rum

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pour the apple juice into a large pot and add the brown and white sugar. Then add the cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise to the pot.
2. Step 2: Cut the vanilla pod in half lengthwise and scrape out the seeds. Add the vanilla seeds to the apple juice-sugar mixture. Put the scraped-out vanilla pod itself into the pot as well.
3. Step 3: Bring the liquid to a boil and let it simmer for about 10 minutes over medium heat. This allows the flavors to blend well. Let the liqueur cool for 5-10 minutes.
4. Step 4: After the liquid has cooled slightly, carefully remove the vanilla pods, star anise, cloves, and cinnamon sticks from the pot. They will have imparted enough flavor by this point.
5. Step 5: Now it's time to add the brown rum. Stir it into the strained liquid. The rum provides the liqueur with its characteristic alcohol content and the perfect combination of flavors.
6. Step 6: Prepare two bottles with a capacity of 700 ml each, or four smaller ones. You can easily pour the baked apple liqueur mixture into the bottles using a funnel.
7. Step 7: Seal the bottles immediately to ensure that the liqueur retains its flavors and nothing evaporates.
8. Step 8: While baked apple liqueur can be enjoyed immediately after preparation, its flavor reaches its peak after steeping for about four weeks.