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Homemade Creamy Strawberry Liqueur

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  • Prep Time: 20 minutes

  • Infusion Time: 5 to 7 days

  • Active Cooking Time: 10 minutes

  • Total Time: 7 days (mostly hands-off)

  • Yield: Approx. 1.2 Liters (about 24 servings of 50 ml)

  • Difficulty Level: Easy

  • Skill Intensity: Low (Requires patient infusing and gentle heating)

Equipment Needed

Before beginning, ensure all equipment is meticulously clean and dry to preserve freshness.

  • 1 Large glass mason jar (1.5-liter capacity with an airtight seal)

  • 1 Fine-mesh sieve

  • Cheesecloth or a clean nut milk bag

  • 1 Medium heavy-bottomed saucepan

  • Silicone spatula or wire whisk

  • 2 Sterilized glass bottles with tight stoppers or caps

  • Funnel

Ingredients

Phase 1: Strawberry Infusion

  • Fresh ripe strawberries: 500g (1.1 lbs), washed, hulled, and halved

  • Base spirit (Vodka or Grain Alcohol, 40%–50% ABV): 500 ml (2 cups)

  • Vanilla bean: 1 whole bean, split lengthwise (or 1 tbsp pure vanilla paste)

Phase 2: Cream & Sweetener Base

  • Heavy cream (36% to 40% butterfat): 250 ml (1 cup)

  • Whole milk: 125 ml (½ cup)

  • Sweetened condensed milk: 200g (approx. ½ tin)

  • Granulated sugar: 150g (¾ cup)—adjust to taste

Instructions

1.Macerate and Infuse the Strawberries:Requires 5 to 7 days of cool, dark infusion.

Place the cleaned, halved strawberries and the split vanilla bean into your sterilized glass mason jar. Pour the vodka over the fruit, ensuring every piece is completely submerged. Seal the lid tightly. Store the jar in a cool, dark place (such as a pantry) for 5 to 7 days. Shake the jar gently once every 24 hours to promote extraction.

2.Strain the Infused Alcohol:Gentle straining ensures clear flavor without cloudiness.

Line a fine-mesh sieve with double-layered cheesecloth and set it over a glass bowl. Pour the strawberry-vodka mixture through the strainer. Let the liquid drain naturally. Do not squeeze or force the berries through, as pressing solids will cloud your liqueur. Discard the exhausted berry pulp and vanilla pod. Set the bright pink, strawberry-infused spirit aside.

3.Prepare the Sweetened Cream Base:Keep heat low to avoid scorching the dairy.

In a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan set over medium-low heat, combine the heavy cream, whole milk, sweetened condensed milk, and granulated sugar. Stir constantly using a whisk or spatula until the sugar fully dissolves and the mixture is completely uniform. Heat gently until tiny bubbles form around the edges (approx. 70°C / 160°F). Do not boil.

4.Cool the Cream Base Completely:Crucial step to prevent curdling when combining with alcohol.

Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the sweet cream mixture to cool to room temperature. Once cooled, cover and place it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to match the temperature of your strawberry alcohol.

5.Blend and Bottle:Sterilize your storage bottles before filling.

Gradually pour the strawberry-infused vodka into the cold cream mixture while whisking continuously until smooth and fully blended. Place a funnel over your sterilized glass bottles and carefully pour the creamy liqueur inside. Seal tightly with stoppers or caps.

6.Chill and Mature:Allow flavors to meld before serving.

Store the bottled liqueur in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours before serving. This brief resting period lets the alcohol intensity soften and allows the strawberry and dairy flavors to harmonize perfectly.

 

Pro Tips for Perfect Results

  1. Strawberry Quality Matters: Use ripe, deep-red strawberries at the peak of their season. Avoid underripe fruit, which introduces harsh acidity and weak flavor.

  2. Preventing Separation: High-butterfat cream combined with alcohol can sometimes separate over time. Using sweetened condensed milk acts as a natural stabilizer. If slight separation occurs in the fridge, simply shake the bottle gently before pouring.

  3. Alcohol Selection: High-grade 40% ABV vodka yields a clean flavor profile. If using 95% grain alcohol (like Everclear), dilute the spirit with equal parts water during infusion or reduce the volume by half to keep the ABV pleasant.

Serving & Storage

Storage Life

  • Refrigeration: Must be kept refrigerated at all times ($4^\circ\text{C}$ / $39^\circ\text{F}$ or below).

  • Shelf Life: Best consumed within 4 to 6 weeks due to fresh dairy content.

Serving Suggestions

  • On the Rocks: Serve 60 ml poured over large clear ice cubes in an double old-fashioned glass.

  • Dessert Topping: Drizzle over vanilla bean ice cream, pound cake, or fresh waffles.

  • Cocktails: Use as a creamy base for strawberry martini variations or add a splash to cold-brew coffee.

Nutritional Information

Values are calculated per serving based on a standard 50 ml (1.7 oz) pour.

Metric Amount per Serving % Daily Value*
Calories 135 kcal —
Total Fat 4.5 g 6%
Saturated Fat 2.8 g 14%
Trans Fat 0.0 g 0%
Cholesterol 15 mg 5%
Sodium 18 mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 14.2 g 5%
Dietary Fiber 0.3 g 1%
Total Sugars 13.5 g —
Protein 1.1 g 2%
Alcohol Content (ABV) ~15% ABV —

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