Polish Plum Nalewka Cordial Recipe

This recipe for delicious Polish plum nalewka is an aged cordial made with Damson plums known as sliwowka.

Ingredients

• 3 quarts plums, such as Damson (slightly unripe, washed and pitted)
• 2 quarts good-quality vodka
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 4 whole cloves
• 1 cup sugar

Steps

1. Gather the ingredients.
2. Place plums in a gallon jar. Pour half of the vodka into a large saucepan. Add cinnamon sticks and cloves. Let it warm over very low heat.
3. Dissolve sugar in warm vodka.
4. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.
5. Pour vodka mixture over pitted plums in a gallon jar. Add remaining vodka. Screw cap on tightly and let sit for three months.
6. If prepared in summer, leave fruit in vodka mixture until just before Christmas Eve for full, fruity flavor. Strain and serve in cordial glasses.
7. Don't throw away the fruit! Use a few pieces of the fruit in your Christmas compote , serve it over ice cream, yogurt, pound cake, or make an open-faced coffee cake using the dough from this Polish sweet roll recipe .