Recipes

Secărică (Caraway Brandy)

  • Serves

    makes About 3 Cups

LANDON NORDEMAN

In Transylvania, it's not unsual to be offered a shot of homemade brandy as a gesture of hospitality upon arriving at a home or guest house. This one has a spicy caraway flavor that balances nicely with the rich walnut cake, Chec Cu Nuca. This recipe first appeared in our March 2012 issue with Alexander Lobrano's article Eternal Terrain.

Ingredients

  • 14 cup caraway seeds
  • 13 clove sugar
  • 1 (750-milliliter) bottle brandy

Instructions

Step 1

Using a mortar and pestle or the bottom of a glass measuring cup on a cutting board, lightly crush and bruise the caraway seeds until fragrant. Using a funnel, transfer seeds and sugar to the bottle of brandy, and seal. Let sit at room temperature, shaking the bottle every few days, for 1 month.

Step 2

Pour brandy through a cheesecloth-lined strainer into a large glass measuring cup, and discard solids; clean bottle and return brandy to bottle, and seal. Serve right away or chill.

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