Back to Basics. Coffee Liqueur. Getting Christmas started.

Well it is only Tuesday but every single person I have spoken with this week is in financial trouble.   Obviously with that comes stress.  The knock on effect hits us all.   Especially kids.  So I was thinking the last thing we can drop due to costs is Christmas.  In fact spreading joy and love will be more needed than ever.  

This week I decided to kick start my Christmas preps.   Already my present cupboard is full of things I started making and collecting from January.  I guess it works out about half things I've made and half things I found on amazing sales and a few things from the thrift stores too.  Oh,  also I saw a few things online that just looked like certain people (who shall remain nameless) and I am excited about those!   So here we just covered how to make ourselves happy at Christmas and that is by being able to give!  If we can give we are going to have a wonderful time!

My difficulty is Dad loved Christmas and so did Andy.  Last Christmas I felt to make it as special as possible.  I had a feeling I had to make the most of every moment.  It never once occurred to me Andy would did less than a month later.  But I did make it special.  We all did have a beautiful day and Andy said he had the best Christmas ever!   Both Dad and Andy would most certainly want me to go ahead and make Christmas amazing for the kids.   They would want me to get on with it.   I feel the determination to do this but I also feel a bit sick and teary as well.

Anyway...

In December I am going to share as I bake.  Some things make very delicious and pretty gifts but are so cheap to put together.  So think... begin to save baskets, boxes and potential packaging that comes your way... we will be needing it soon!

First I started Coffee Liqueur because I have made it before and there are three people I like to give to who already are absolutely mad over this (as I've made it before.)   Also I have lovely bottles.  But if you don't have bottles yet that is ok.  Right now you just need a big jar or jug.  There are weeks ahead to find the bottles you need and I will help you with that next.

This is a recipe which has to brew/mature.   For anyone who likes coffee or Kahlua this is a winner.   This is what I got from one batch last year...

Some of these went into little hampers and some were a gift on their own.   We will get to wrapping later... presentation is everything! 

This is so very easy.

In a big saucepan place 3 and a half cups of white sugar and half a cup of dark brown sugar.

Add four cups of water,  stir and begin to bring to the boil.

Meanwhile measure out  2 ounces of good coffee...

Stir this into your boiled mix.

Give it a good stir. 

Take two vanilla beans and run a knife down the middle, lengthwise,  to open them up.  Throw these into the mix.  If any little bits break off throw them in also.

Let the mixture cool.   

When cool add 750 mils of vodka.  This is a standard bottle here.  So you want to watch and grab a bottle of vodka on a really good deal.   Sometimes a bottle is to be found lurking in someones cupboard so ask around!

Place this all in a big jar or whatever you have that has a lid.  It all needs to brew together. 

The jar in this picture is my Coffee Liqueur.   Give it a little shake or movement now and then.  Wait at least two weeks to try it.  But a few months is MUCH better.   If you try it on the first day it tastes no good at all.   Weeks later it is divine!   

Normally I would drink this with milk and ice... like a Kahlua and milk.   Andrew my helper knocks it back straight over ice. Yes he is getting a bottle.  😋 

Being a Liqueur it is intense and goes a long way and so can be given in smallish bottles.   Maybe look online or in the store and note the price of something similar.  It is expensive! 

Because it is busy brewing in your big container you have ages to find lovely bottles.   A really basic boring empty bottle is about $4 around here.    Over the years I have trained everyone to save me jars and bottles.   People to ask are anyone who drinks basically anything,  anyone who drinks whiskey, rum etc., anyone who owns a cafe or hotel or restaurant,  anyone who buys coffee flavourings ie vanilla syrup and so on as they mostly come in smaller bottles.   Being glass they are all easy to clean hygienically.  

You can make a label or tag with the name, how to use it.  This can be poured over ice cream for an adults only decadent desert so some suggestions are good.

Over on The Tuesday Club we have been working all year towards Christmas but it is not too late to make your Christmas very affordable.  Just get started now!  And plan!  

When times and budgets change it is fine to change what we normally do.  It is sensible to change!  There might be people with big ideas who expect expensive gifts.   A couple of years ago I dropped a few from my lists that I never heard from, never got a thank you etc.   In the work place there can be a lot of pressure on gifts too.   Work out your budget, priorities and do not be afraid to stick to it!    We are going to work along week by week towards a back to basics joyful Christmas with lots of back to basics recipes! xxx