I think I need a drink: Flowering Quince Liqueur

Count your garden by the flowers, never by the leaves that fall. Count your days by golden hours, don't remember clouds at all. Count your nights by stars, not shadows. Count your life with smiles, not tears. And all throughout your lifetime, Count your age by friends, not years. – Anonymous

Funny day today. I am feeling reflective, indifferent and sad simultaneously.

I am reflecting on how fortunate I am to have the people I do in my life: my husband, my friends and family, and of course Henry, my current furry son and Simon, my passed one, who I miss every day. 

This morning I was beneficiary of a 20 minute long sleep-cuddle when Henry crawled up beside me and fell asleep (at 5:30am). It was nice.

The indifference comes from the day it is. As of 5:10pm today I will have been a blight on the face of this earth for 52 years. Of course I will have to smile and nod as people far and wide wish me a happy birthday. I know they’re well intentioned, but this year...

I know that sounds quite “sour” but yesterday had a lot to do with my current mood. The indifference for certain, and the reflection.

The sad comes from the fact that I received some unexpected news of the death of a school and university friend of mine after gall bladder surgery. Steven Fancy. He was only 51.

Steven's the 4th standing guy from the right.

Steven was always laughing, and loved to have a good time. Although we hadn’t spoken for well over 20 years I thought of him often and had recently tried to find him through Facebook, but he wasn’t there. I had no idea where he may have ended up living.

I do now, but too late. That causes reflection. A lot of it. Show those you love that you do each day. Reach out to those you care about who you may have lost contact with. Enjoy each day for yourself, because you just never know...

So it’s a bittersweet day today. I’m glad I already had a post ready to go as flowery words about food wouldn’t come easy today.

Luckily it’s a post about booze, because I think I could use a drink.

About 6 weeks ago I picked some flowering quince fruit from my uncle’s bush before his house sold. I had already made quince jam. I decided to make some infused vodka and a liqueur. The infusion takes a month.

This one’s pretty interesting. It’s floral with a delicate taste. Slightly citrus, with notes of pear and spring blossoms. I found the same qualities with the jam. The quince has a fairly intense bouquet but doesn’t deliver on the sweet to the same level.

Quite nice. This will make someone happy as a Christmas gift, to be certain.

Ready to be infused. It turns yellow over the four weeks.

Flowering Quince Liqueur

Infusion: 4 weeks  |  Yield 1.5 L

7-8 flowering quince fruits

750 ml vodka

2 cups sugar

2 cups water

Wash and slice the quince. Place the fruit into two Mason jars. Pour 375 ml of vodka over the fruit in each jar. Cover and shake well once a day for the first week.

Let infuse for 4 weeks in a cool place out of direct sunlight.

Strain off the fruit through a sieve. Strain again, through fine cloth to remove any sediment.

Bring the sugar and water to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Let cool and then combine with the infused vodka.

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