MACERATED MIXED SUMMER BERRIES
Submitted by grizzlybiscuit on July 04, 2005 at 5:47 am

The combination of fresh seasonal fruit, sugar and liqueurs goes well alongside countless desserts! The potential combo's of fruit is endless here, or just use your favorite one by itself! Creme de Cassis is my liqueur of choice with mixed berries. It is made from black currents, and in combination with the fruit is a marriage made in heaven!

EQUIPMENT:
1 large mixing bowl; 2 spoons to mix with; preferably. a glass bowl or container to store the fruit in to macerate

1 cup of washed, hulled and sliced fresh strawberries
1 cup of washed and picked over fresh blueberries
1 cup of washed fresh raspberries
1 cup of washed fresh blackberries

Enough liqueur to barely cover the berries: I will use Creme de Cassis first. Grand Marnier, vodka, tia Maria, triple sec ,creme de cerise, brandy, amaretto ,frangelico, anisette, and cointreauto, to name a few, are some other options

1 cup of white granulated sugar (The amount can vary according to your taste and the same with the liqueurs.)
Whole sticks of cinnamon, star anise, whole cloves, Allspice, ,etc. are optional.

Wash all the fruit under cold running water in a small strainer, one type at a time, adding them all together in the mixing bowl.

Add the sugar and toss very gently!!! You don't want to be overly rough with the fruit or it will fall apart into one big mess. You do want each fruit to somewhat hold onto its identity.

Now add the liqueur and any other flavors, and cover with plastic and let sit in the fridge at least overnight and up to 2-3 days. During this time, some of the juice from the fruit will leach out and mix with the liqueur and help to dissolve the sugar, and soon all these flavors will eventually marry together as one.

The all-time favorite here is strawberry shortcake!

Other options are:
Over ice cream with side of lady fingers
Served alongside pound cake
Plain ol' ice cream sundaes
In Sunday brunch smoothies with bananas, yogurt, and orange juice
Served over plain cheese cake
Over any kind of yellow or white layer cake

• This topic was modified 8 years, 4 months ago by BakerAunt.