A rich array of dried fruits, soaked in liquor and left to infuse for weeks! What could be more Christmassy? These Boozy Fruits are an essential part of the Christmas preparation plans. They are also very useful for all kinds of desserts and cakes, and make wonderful edible presents.
Every year at Christmas I make a huge batch of dried fruits soaked in brandy or whisky, or similar, ready to make all the classic cakes and puddings I'll need. It makes me feel all festive and cozy, plus if you make extra and put it in a jar, it makes for excellent gifts for foody friends and family.
Dried Fruit infused with alcohol is an essential part of making this Vegan Christmas Cake, or you can use them in my Granny's Famous Rum Balls made Vegan. They're also lovely added to pastries or just plopped on icecream.
🥃Ingredients
You can customize the Boozy Fruits to your own tastes. Rum, Brandy, Frangelico.. Cherries, Sultanas or Dates can all be boozed up!
Dried Fruits
Choose from a variety of dried fruits or just choose a single one for an elegant single-note effect.
- Raisins (especially good with rum)
- Currants (Traditional mixed with raisins, dried orange peel and brandy to make Christmas cake with)
- Dates (especially good with Hazelnut or Chocolate Liquor)
- Dried Apricots (very nice with Orange Liquor)
- Prunes- Good with Whisky
- Dried Cherries (Amazing with Brandy)
- Dried Cranberries (craisins) (Whisky or Brandy)
- Dried Orange Peel- Extra amazing with Orange Liquor
The Booze
Choose a vegan liquor! Fortunately, many of the types that are suitable are naturally vegan, but do check!
- Brandy
- Rum
- Whisky
- Coffee Liquor (eg Tia Maira)
- Triple Sec /Orange Liquor -( eg Grand Marnier or Cointreau)
- Hazelnut Liquor-(eg Frangelico -as pictured)
I would suggest against using creamy-style liquors or gin.
👩🍳Instructions
- Prepare your fruits by chopping up any larger pieces and checking for pips.
2. Put all the fruit into a bowl that has a cover (or a jar) and pour over the alcohol.
Leave the fruits covered in a cool dark place (on a shelf in the pantry is fine) for at least 48 hours.
If you are using them in cooking, you can now use the fruits.
If you want to give away the fruits, or save them for later cooking, decant into clean, dry jars and close the lids.
Hint: If you are giving the Boozy Fruits as gifts, 'top up' the amount of liqueur in the jar so it looks luxurious.
🥫Storage
Ideally use the fruits up within 3 months. They are of course, already dried and are now pickled in alcohol, so in theory will keep for years, depending on how strong (what proof) the liqueur is.
❗Top tip
If you're not sure what to do with any extras left over at the end of all your festive baking, they make delicious toppings for ice-cream!
FAQ
NO! Do not feed these to anyone who is underage, this is a treat for grown ups!
Whisky, Brandy and Rum are all good for infusing with dried fruits.
If you choose vegan alcohol (check with the manufacturer) they are vegan.
📖 Recipe
Boozy Fruits
Equipment
- Sealable Jars
Ingredients Note:
For accuracy, I measure all ingredients in metric as standard, then convert and test the recipe for American cup measurements etc.
(Heads up Aussie and UK readers- your measurements in cups are sometimes different, so please use metric or check you have the correct cup and spoon type!!)
Ingredients
- 1000 g (2.2 lb) Dried Fruits (Eg raisins, craisins, dates. See main post for ideas)
- 500 ml (2¼ cups) Liqueur (Eg Rum, Brandy or Whisky)
Instructions
- Chop any larger fruits and remove seeds (eg with dates01000 g Dried Fruits
- In a large bowl, pour over the liqueur.500 ml Liqueur
- Cover and leave for at least 48 hours. Use or put into clean glass jars and seal until needed.
- If desired, top up the jars with extra liqueur.
Notes
Dried Fruits
Choose from a variety of dried fruits or just choose a single one for an elegant single-note effect.- Raisins (especially good with rum)
- Currants (Traditional mixed with raisins, dried orange peel and brandy to make Christmas cake with)
- Dates (especially good with Hazelnut or Chocolate Liquor)
- Dried Apricots (very nice with Orange Liquor)
- Prunes- Good with Whisky
- Dried Cherries (Amazing with Brandy)
- Dried Cranberries (craisins) (Whisky or Brandy)
- Dried Orange Peel- Extra amazing with Orange Liquor
The Booze
Choose a vegan liquor! Fortunately, many of the types that are suitable are naturally vegan, but do check!- Brandy
- Rum
- Whisky
- Coffee Liquor (eg Tia Maira)
- Triple Sec /Orange Liquor -( eg Grand Marnier or Cointreau)
- Hazelnut Liquor-(eg Frangelico -as pictured)
Jacqui says
Have made blackberry whisky, vodka and gin liqueur. Can I use these blackberries when making a cake?
Louise-Claire Cayzer says
Oh that sounds delicious. I think you could use the blackberries when making a cake for sure. I would choose a cake recipe that has ripe or frozen fruit in it, rather than dried fruit, and use whatever quantity it specifies.