Peel the oranges: Wash the orange skins with a vegetable brush. Peel the oranges, using a vegetable peeler. Use a gentle touch to avoid getting any of the pith.
200 grams orange peels
Add half of the peels to each jar.
Add 325 grams (325 mL) of Evergclear to each jar.
750 ml Everclear
Let the mixture sit for 10 to 21 days. The peels will turn white and the liquid will be orange. Strain off and reserve the orange flavored alcohol solution.
Make the simple syrup: Combine the water and the sugar in a saucepan. Bring to a low boil and then simmer until the sugar is completely dissolved.
950 mL Water, 700 grams Sugar
Add the simple syrup to the orange flavored alcohol solution. Distribute the arancello into sterile bottles.
I recommend allowing the arancello to age for at least two weeks before drinking. You should have a little more than 4 bottles. The leftover is your makers share and can be sampled from time to time to test the flavor.
Serve chilled!
RECIPE TIPS
Italian Old Fashioned
1.5 ounces American whiskey (rye or bourbon, to preference)
1 ounce Arancello
1 dash of Peychaud’s bitters (Angostura also works nicely)
Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass, stir to chill, and dilute. Strain into a double old-fashioned glass containing a large ice cube or completely filled with ice (fun fact: drinks with too little ice dilute much faster).
Garnish: Large swath of orange peel expressed over the drink and dropped in the glass.
Italian Margherita
2 ounces añejo tequila
1.5 ounces Arancello
0.5 ounces fresh-squeezed lime juice
Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass on which you’ve salted half the rim (this allows the drinker to get salt when they like).
Garnish: Lime wedge. (Using a wedge allows the drinker to adjust the lime if they like a little more tartness.)
Shake all ingredients together. Pour into a glass and garnish with flowers.
The Aperol Spritz Syrup is made by reducing Aperol and prosecco until syrup consistency.
What to do with leftover orangesJuice the oranges and make Citrus Curd to serve with Pancakes or Crepes. You can also freeze the juice to use later in sauce recipes.