So, as many of you may know, while in NJ in October I fell in love with the Berry Doli:
So, as many of you may know, while in NJ in October I fell in love with the Berry Doli:
(Yes, it is $9.50 per serving and worth every penny!)
Let's get to it:
First, the Ingredients:
This is for the Berry Doli, there is a recipe I'll post later for the Melon Doli and the more popular Pineapple Doli. The Berry Doli is my favorite.
2 lbs of frozen Strawberries
2 lbs of frozen Blueberries
2 lbs of frozen Blackberries
2 lbs of frozen Raspberries
2 − 1.5 liters of Vodka
Other things you'll need:
Large glass vessel with lid (mine is 2 gallons.)
A Large colander
A couple inches of Cellophane
A good sized funnel (food grade please)
Cheese cloth
2 ½ cups of sugar
3 cups hot water
A final food safe container for holding and storing the end product.(We used 2 of those "Simply Orange" 89 oz. Jugs.)
The final ingredient is: Patience (Uncle Spencer!!)
(Please don't waste Grey Goose on this recipe, I promise once it is done, no one will be able to tell what brand Vodka you used. Keep the Ketel One in the freezer for Bloody Mary's.)Seriously, do not spend more than $35 on the Vodka. You will spend $50 on the fruit already.
Buy a good sized glass vessel for the steeping/infusion. We found our current one at Target. It holds a little over 1.5 gallons. The spigot came in really handy but does get clogged with pulp during the processing phase.
Buy a good sized glass vessel for the steeping/infusion. We found our current one at Target. It holds a little over 1.5 gallons. The spigot came in really handy but does get clogged with pulp during the processing phase.
Now, this is the fun part! Fill your vessel up with the frozen fruit mixture, while still frozen & pack it in (Do not thaw the fruit!)
Now, this is the fun part! Fill your vessel up with the frozen fruit mixture, while still frozen & pack it in (Do not thaw the fruit!)
Next, Pour in the Vodka. Fill it to the rim! I was able to get 2 liters in there once I shook all the bubbles out.Note I have wrapped the top with cellophane, this was due to the fact I was afraid of the whole mix being ruined by being in direct contact with the cheap plastic lid.
Next, Pour in the Vodka. Fill it to the rim! I was able to get 2 liters in there once I shook all the bubbles out.Note I have wrapped the top with cellophane, this was due to the fact I was afraid of the whole mix being ruined by being in direct contact with the cheap plastic lid.
This is the difficult part: Let the entire mix set for 7 DAYS! Open it every other day and stir it but otherwise leave it alone! (It does not need to be refrigerated at all, set in down on the floor of the corner of the garage and be sure to place it on an old beach towel due to the fact it will sweat since the fruit was frozen.)
Place your Martini glasses into the freezer now so they will be ready!
Next: Day 7: Use a large soup pot or crab boil pot to filter the fruit from the Vodka. I used a regular colander and strained the fruit out of the mix as I poured it into the pot. Once the colander filled with fruit I used a stainless steel mixing bowl to press more juice/Vodka out of the fruit. Once pressed, discard the fruit. (It is harsh to eat due to the booze for which it is now infused. Or make All-fruit 'tipsy-pops' for that perfect frat party!) I'll post that recipe well after my kids have graduated college. :)
Next: Day 7: Use a large soup pot or crab boil pot to filter the fruit from the Vodka. I used a regular colander and strained the fruit out of the mix as I poured it into the pot. Once the colander filled with fruit I used a stainless steel mixing bowl to press more juice/Vodka out of the fruit. Once pressed, discard the fruit. (It is harsh to eat due to the booze for which it is now infused. Or make All-fruit 'tipsy-pops' for that perfect frat party!) I'll post that recipe well after my kids have graduated college. :)
When all the fruit is out, rinse the steeping vessel and dry.
Place your funnel into the top of the clean steeping vessel. Layer the cheese cloth into the bottom of the funnel. Now SLOWLY pour the Berry Vodka from your pot into the cheese cloth-lined funnel atop the original steeping vessel. Trust me, you will want to perform the additional filtration at least once. No one likes picking blackberry pits from their teeth while drinking a Martini.This is also where the patience will pay off.
Place your funnel into the top of the clean steeping vessel. Layer the cheese cloth into the bottom of the funnel. Now SLOWLY pour the Berry Vodka from your pot into the cheese cloth-lined funnel atop the original steeping vessel. Trust me, you will want to perform the additional filtration at least once. No one likes picking blackberry pits from their teeth while drinking a Martini.This is also where the patience will pay off.
After you have filtered the Doli at least once, it is now time to add the simple syrup. This is necessary as a taste factor. Without the simple syrup it will taste like really bad Brandy or cough medicine (Trust Me!) So, now make the simple syrup: I suggest making them one at a time to add until it tastes good to you (for mine it was exactly 3 cups simple syrup). In a glass measuring cup mix: 1 cup HOT water to ¾ cups sugar. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Now add it to the berry Vodka mix, then stir well. Then taste it.Add another and another until it is Good, DO NOT over sweeten it or it will just taste like sugar water with Kool Aid & Vodka in it.
Like I said, I added only 3 cups of simple sugar into my mix. It is exactly like it was at the Red Stone Grille, only not as expensive!
Once you have it sweetened to your liking, pour it into your storing container (This is where the spigot came in really handy.)
Keep the final product refrigerated. We had enough yield for two 89 oz containers once we were done sampling the product along the way.
Serving: In your favorite co*cktail shaker, add a handful of ice. Then add a generous serving of the Doli. Shake well until the outside is all sweaty!
Pour it into your favorite frosted Martini glass (remember those you put in the freezer last week? Yeah those!) Presentation is everything! When one pays $10 for a Martini, one should expect a frosty glass.
Pour it into your favorite frosted Martini glass (remember those you put in the freezer last week? Yeah those!) Presentation is everything! When one pays $10 for a Martini, one should expect a frosty glass.
Enjoy!!!
Enjoy!!!
P.S Our 'stash' is down to two servings. It doesn't last long!
P.S Our 'stash' is down to two servings. It doesn't last long!
A couple guys I know want to make enough for a group to share, so we have equipped ourselves for mass-production! (Yes, that will hold 5 gallons, baby!)
A couple guys I know want to make enough for a group to share, so we have equipped ourselves for mass-production! (Yes, that will hold 5 gallons, baby!)
