Method
Wash, dry and peel the oranges and lemon, trimming away any white pith. Put the peels in a glass container with a tight-fitting lid.
Using a sharp knife, remove the layer of pith from 2 of the blood oranges. (Juice the other oranges and the lemon for drinks or cooking.) Cut the trimmed oranges into pieces and add to the peels. Stir slightly with a wooden spoon to smash up the fruit.
Add the cloves and vodka, stir a little and seal. Place in a cool, dry spot away from sunlight. Let sit for 2 weeks, swirling occasionally.
Add the simple syrup, stir well, and reseal. Return to its spot. Let sit for 2 more weeks, swirling occasionally.
Filter the liqueur through a fine-mesh strainer into a bowl. Strain again through a double layer of cheesecloth into a pitcher or other easy-pouring vessel. Finally, strain through 2 new layers of cheesecloth into 1 large bottle or a number of small bottles or jars.
Makes about 1 3/4 pints
A cocktail suggestion: Shake 1 ounce Blood Orange's Revenge, 2 ounces gin, and 1/2 ounce regular orange juice with ice. Strain into a cocktail glass and call it Antidote to a Wooden Stake.
Simple Syrup
Combine the sugar and water in a medium-size saucepan. Stirring occasionally, bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Lower the heat a bit, and keep the mixture at a low boil for 5 minutes.
Turn off the heat, and let the syrup completely cool in the pan. Store in a clean glass jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
Reprinted with permission from ©A. J. Rathbun, Luscious Liqueurs by A. J. Rathbun, published by Harvard Common Press click for book review
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