68 steeped recipes

Homemade cranberry liqueur made with fresh cranberries, vodka, sugar syrup, and orange peel. Steep for 4-5 weeks for a jewel-toned, tart-sweet holiday spirit.

Homemade pineapple liqueur made by steeping fresh pineapple in vodka for a week, then sweetening with simple syrup. A tropical, sippable spirit that ages beautifully.

Homemade almond-flavored tequila liqueur infused with dark roasted almonds, vanilla bean, and cinnamon. Gift-worthy Mexican spirit that steeps for 4 weeks total.

Homemade orange liqueur infused with fresh orange peel, vanilla bean, vodka, and brandy. A DIY Grand Marnier-style spirit that steeps for seven weeks.

Homemade blueberry liqueur infuses crushed berries in vodka with lemon peel and clove for a deep ruby-purple cordial. A long, slow steep delivers a gift-worthy fruit liqueur.

Fresh cherries preserved in grappa with sugar, sun-steeped for a week then aged 3 months. A classic Italian after-dinner treat with boozy, fruit-soaked elegance. Only 3 ingredients.

Quick couscous bowl: pearl couscous steeped in chicken broth, topped with sauteed zucchini, cherry tomatoes, and a can of minestrone. 20-minute pantry dinner that feels homemade.

Homemade licorice liqueur made by steeping real licorice root in vodka for a week, then sweetening with sugar syrup. Three ingredients, two weeks, and a bold anise-flavored spirit.

Homemade hazelnut liqueur infused with vodka, vanilla bean, and allspice. A DIY Frangelico-style spirit that steeps for five weeks and makes a great homemade gift.

Brine for roasted chicken steeps a whole bird overnight in salt, brown sugar, lemon, garlic, bay, peppercorns, jalapeno, and Mediterranean herbs. The result: juicier, deeper-seasoned roast chicken from skin to bone.

Marinated olives steeped with lemon, fresh thyme, rosemary and slivered garlic in good olive oil. A no-cook, make-ahead appetizer that gets better as it sits. Serve with warm crusty bread.

Peaches with white wine: ripe peeled peaches steeped in dry white wine for an hour, then served in wine glasses topped with sweetened mascarpone-yogurt cream. The Italian summer dessert that cooks itself.

Orange and coffee bean cordial: a whole orange studded with coffee beans, sugar cubes, and vanilla, steeped in cognac for two months. Classic French-style homemade digestif, no special equipment needed.

Traditional Russian tea steeped with whole cloves and sweet apple cider. Strain, sweeten with honey or strawberry jam, and serve hot for a spiced, warming drink.

Roasted garlic whole grain mustard steeps yellow and black mustard seeds in apple cider vinegar overnight, then blends with a head of mellow roasted garlic and maple syrup. A homemade condiment worth jarring as a gift.

Homemade peach liqueur infused with fresh peaches, vodka, lemon peel, and cinnamon. A DIY fruit liqueur that steeps for 8 weeks into a smooth, fragrant sipping cordial or cocktail mixer.