To make Rucolino, a traditional Italian liqueur infused with arugula, you will need a few key ingredients and some patience. Rucolino is a unique and refreshing drink that captures the peppery and slightly bitter flavors of arugula, making it a perfect after-dinner digestif.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make Rucolino:
1. Gather your ingredients: You will need the following:
– Zest of 3 lemons (be sure to avoid the white pith, as it can add bitterness)
– 1 cinnamon stick
– 5-6 cloves
– 750 ml of grain alcohol (at least 95% ABV)
– 150 grams of fresh arugula leaves
2. Prepare the container: Find a glass container with a tight-fitting lid. It's important to use glass as it won't react with the alcohol. Clean the container thoroughly to ensure there are no impurities that could affect the flavor of the liqueur.
3. Add the lemon zest and spices: Take the lemon zest and gently run a vegetable peeler or zester along the surface of the lemons to remove the zest. Be careful not to include the white pith, as it can impart a bitter taste. Add the lemon zest, cinnamon stick, and cloves to the glass container.
4. Pour in the grain alcohol: Measure out 750 ml of grain alcohol with at least 95% ABV. Grain alcohol is highly potent and will extract the flavors from the ingredients more effectively. Pour the alcohol into the glass container, ensuring that the lemon zest and spices are fully submerged.
5. Add the arugula: Take the fresh arugula leaves and gently tear them into smaller pieces. Add the torn arugula to the glass container with the other ingredients. The arugula will infuse its unique flavor into the alcohol over time.
6. Seal and store: Once all the ingredients are in the container, seal it tightly with the lid. Place the container in a cool, dark place, such as a cellar or pantry. It's important to store the container away from direct sunlight, as this can degrade the flavors and colors of the ingredients.
7. Infuse for 2 weeks: Allow the mixture to infuse for a minimum of 2 weeks. During this time, the alcohol will extract the flavors from the lemon zest, spices, and arugula. You can give the container a gentle shake every few days to help distribute the flavors.
8. Strain and bottle: After 2 weeks, it's time to strain the infused alcohol. Set up a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth over a clean glass container. Slowly pour the infused alcohol through the strainer, allowing it to separate from the solids. Discard the lemon zest, spices, and arugula remnants.
9. Enjoy responsibly: Once strained, you can transfer the Rucolino into smaller bottles for storage or gifting. It's best to let the Rucolino mature for at least a week in the bottle before enjoying it. Serve it chilled in small glasses to savor its unique flavor profile.
Making Rucolino at home requires some patience, but the end result is a delicious and aromatic liqueur that can be enjoyed on its own or used in cocktails. Experiment with different serving suggestions to fully appreciate the complexity of this homemade Italian liqueur.