"Orechovica"

... green walnuts liqueur. We make this liqueur every year on June 24 for last 9 years. It´s the liqueur made with unripe walnuts still soft in their green husks. The time to make it is in June when the shells have still not yet hardener.

Ingredients:
24 green walnuts, early enough in the season so that they are easily cut with a knife
1 cinnamon stick
5 whole cloves
3 cm piece of vanilla bean
500 g granulated sugar
500 ml alcohol (you could use vodka)
1000 ml red  wine
500 ml rum

Rinse and pat dry the walnuts. Cut them into quarters with a sharp knife.

Put walnuts, spices, sugar and alcohol into a large glass container. Alcohol should cover the walnuts. Cover and shake to mix well. Store for 6 weeks, shaking daily.

As the days go by you will notice that the color of the liqueur gets darker and darker.

After 6 weeks add red whine into the glass container. Store for 6 weeks, shaking from time to time.

Then add rum to it  and put it away for another 6 weeks in a cool place.

After 6 weeks it´s ready to be bottled. Remove the walnuts and solids. Strain the liquid through several layers of cheesecloth into glass bottles.

It will last for several years if stored in a cool, dry place. It´s best at least a year after it was first bottled.

Makes about 2,5 liters of liqueur. Great for gifts.