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Viryta (Lithuanian Honey Liqueur)

Rated as 4 out of 5 Stars
 made it  |  1 reviews   |   photos

Recipe by:

"This is a sweet, very potent beverage that can be found at Lithuanian festivals and Lithuanian social clubs in Baltimore. They usually pronounce it 'VIT-a-tis'. Viryta is usually homemade by descendants of Lithuanian immigrants, using recipes that have been handed down through the generations, and is a popular commodity around the holidays. It took me years to finally get someone to teach me how to make it; most of the people around Baltimore who make it are very secretive about their family recipes! I'd probably catch an earful if she knew I posted it online!"
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Ingredients

8 d 1 h 15 m servings 187 cals
Original recipe yields 36 servings (2 750ml bottles)

Directions

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  1. Peel orange and lemon in a circular motion in a large strip. Place peels in a warm, dry area to dry for 24 hours.
  2. Stir honey, 1 cup water, sugar, caraway seeds, cloves, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and ground nutmeg together in a large pot; bring to a rolling boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 45 minutes. Add dried orange and lemon peels to honey mixture; continue to simmer for 15 minutes.
  3. Remove from heat; discard fruit peels. Stir grain alcohol and remaining 2 1/2 cups water into honey mixture. Transfer mixture to a glass container and tightly cover with a lid. Place in a cool location out of direct sunlight and let set, gently swirling container every few days, for 1 week.
  4. Strain mixture through double-layered cheesecloth to remove sediment. Pour liqueur into bottles or decanters and seal.
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Footnotes

  • Cook's Note:
  • Some people confuse Viryta with Krupnik, but they are two different types of honey-flavored spirits. Krupnik is a Polish liqueur with a vodka base; Viryta is of Lithuanian origin and has a grain alcohol base and much higher alcoholic content per ounce.
  • Liquid must set in a tightly-covered glass container. This is very important, as leaving the mixture uncovered during its 'setting' period will allow much of the alcohol to evaporate.

Nutrition Facts


Per Serving: 187 calories; 0.2 g fat; 28.1 g carbohydrates; 0.2 g protein; 0 mg cholesterol; 3 mg sodium. Full nutrition

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Reviews

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This is very close to the recipe my family has handed down for generations with the exception of a few ingredients...can't say what they are unless you marry one of my kids. ;-) Enjoy!!

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