Skip to content

Sicilian Cooking

sicilan-LOGO-2-1
caffe2_cr

Coffee Rosolio

( Rosolio al Caffe’ )

Well-liked liquor is the Rosolio al Caffe’. Coffee liquor is easy to make when it is possible to brew a strong espresso coffee. My mother made the Rosolio al Caffe’ using 10 concentrated super strong espresso coffees, which measures to about 1 pint or 2 cups: still hot she diluted into it 2 ½ cups of sugar and when it was cold she bottled the coffee syrup with the 2 cups of pure alcohol. Using good ground coffee, toasted Italian style and if possible imported from Italy will give good results to make a tasty rosolio with the rich aroma of coffee. Il rosolio al caffe’ is a drink well accepted: it peps you up any time of the day.

  • Yield2 fifths
  • Wines and DrinksCoffee Rosolio

    Ingredients

    • 12 oz. ground coffee toasted Italian style
    • 1 qt. 100 proof vodka
    • 4 cups of sugar (2 lb.)
    • 2 cups of water
    • 1 vanilla bean, open vertically, seeds scraped (optional)

    Instructions

    1

    THE COFFEE
    In a large and airtight jar combine the vodka, the (optional) vanilla bean split in half and the coffee. Place the jar in a cool place and shake it every day. Steep for at least 10 days to 2 weeks to macerate and extract the coffee flavor.

    2

    THE SYRUP
    In a saucepan, over a medium heat, combine and mix the sugar and the water; keep stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Lower the heat and simmer the syrup for 15 minutes, without boiling it. Set aside to cool. Combine the cooled syrup with the coffee infusion, seal the jar and let it sit for a few days.

    3

    THE COFFEE ROSOLIO
    Strain the rosolio using a paper filter or a piece of cotton cloth or a few layers of cheese cloth; discard the coffee grounds and the vanilla bean. Bottle and seal the rosolio that will be ready to use in about two weeks.

    VARIATION

    4

    To prepare Chocolate Rosolio, Rosolio al Cioccolato, use a 4 quart saucepan mix 2 cups of sugar with 8 oz. natural unsweetened cocoa, add a little at a time 2 cups of water and with the help of a whisk eliminate any lumps. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes, turning continuously. Set aside to cool. In a large jar combine the cooled cocoa syrup with 1 qt. 100 proof vodka add a small piece of cinnamon stick and 1 vanilla bean split in half; seal the jar and let it sit for a few days. Discard the cinnamon stick and the vanilla bean, bottle and seal the rosolio that will be ready to use in about two weeks.