Boilo (Hot Spiced Citrus Whiskey)
Boilo is a traditional Yuletide drink of the north-eastern United States, specifically Pennsylvania. It is a type of whiskey-based liqueur made with oranges, lemons, sugar and various different spices such as cinnamon. Recipes vary and may include nutmeg, cloves, caraway seed and aniseed.
Servings
12–18
2 medium-large oranges
2 lemons
1 small box (about 1½ oz / 40 g) raisins
8 oz (220 g) honey
12 oz (355 ml) whiskey or more to taste
½–1 teaspoon each of any or all of these spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, caraway seed, aniseed
Peel the oranges and lemons. Cut up the fruit and squeeze them into a crock pot. A garlic press or potato-ricer works, or some kind of juicer or fruit squeezer. Put the remaining fruit pulp into the crock pot as well.
Add the raisins, honey, and spices. Stir. Do not add whiskey yet!
Start the crock pot, and let the mixture cook for about 2–4 hours. Stir occasionally. It's complete when the fruit pulp gets cooked down.
2–4 hours
Strain into a pitcher. Mash down the fruit in the strainer to get all the liquid.
Add the whiskey to the pitcher and stir. If you cook the whiskey, even for a short time, the alcohol will start to evaporate. Taste, and add more whiskey to your liking.
Serve hot in shot glasses, espresso cups, or coffee mugs. After the first round, each individual serving can be reheated in the microwave.
- •Use a whiskey that is at least 80 proof (40% alcohol).