Quince Liqueur

1. Rub quince with a kitchen towel really well until skin is smooth. Cut unpeeled quince into small cubes.

2. Peel lemon zest into spirals with a thin peeler. Squeeze lemons and measure 3/4 cup lemon juice.

3. Combine quince, lemon zest, lemon juice, vodka, and sugar in a large jar with a tight-fitting lid. All ingredients need to be completely covered with liquid. Keep in a warm place or on a sunny window sill for 4 weeks, shaking occasionally.

4. Line a sieve with a damp cheesecloth and strain liquid. Use a wooden spoon to press as much liquid out of quince pieces as possible. Pour strained quince liqueur into sterilized bottles and seal. For best results, allow to mature for 6 weeks in a cool place.

Tips

Rub quince well with a paper towel to get all the prickly hair off and then wash them really well, ideally a few times.

During the 6-week curing period, some residue will settle on the bottom of the bottles. You can drink the quince liqueur with the residue or strain it again through a fine-mesh cheesecloth if you want to give the liqueur as a gift.