what to do with Grappa?
So we bought some Grappa. It smells like jet fuel yet tastes a little like vodka. nice stuff. But there is no way we're going to be able to drive a fifth of it.
how long will it last once it's opened?
should it be refridgerated after opening?
besides using as a paint thinner or snow mobile fuel, what can i do with it besides drink it? can i use it in recipes that call for vodka or other liquors?
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9 Comments:
It is meant to be drank straight as an apertif. My friend was is a retired Marine and had several very expensive bottles ($200 US) that he brought back from Italy. About 4 of us polished off the bottle one night. It was delicious but oh man did my head really hurt the next morning. That next day we had planned on sighting in my rifle with a new scope. It wasn't my best example of marksmanship.
Here is a picture of the bottle.
UE Grappa
climbhighak at 8:58PM on 08/31/09
You can drink it in coffee, espresso preferably, or alone; and as far as everyone in my family including me goes, it needs no refrigeration. Cin cin!
mtgall at 10:14PM on 08/31/09
It's really good added to some pears cooked in simple syrup, then blended and frozen as a sorbet. You get all the flavor and kick of the grappa but none of the boozy flavor. This pairs well with rich dark chocolate desserts. You can marinate grapes in grappa with sugar and herbs, goes well with cheeses. I also use a little splash of it in crudo preparations and as part of my cure when making gravlax.
simon at 12:06AM on 09/01/09
ooh just had an idea. I bet it would be good in a vodka sauce, since unlike vodka it actually has a lot of flavor... gotta try that.
simon at 12:08AM on 09/01/09
If you buy a perfume atomizer and fill it with grappa, you can spray it on the tongue with your dessert course. It is a divine way to experience the taste (and thrill) of grappa, without feeling as though you're swallowing jet fuel. It will also go a long way and keep you from a morning of Tylenol and ginger ale.
It's fun to give your guests a quick spray of grappa or two, if not solely for the talking points the next day. Don't know how long a bottle of it lasts, so I'd store it in the freezer.
smallkitchen at 8:05AM on 09/01/09
If it's got a good cork, there is no need to keep it in the freezer.
You can use it as you would cognac, for deglazing pans, like when sautéing mushrooms, for flambéing your lobster or crab or shrimp shells when making bisque, etc. Personally, if it's good quality stuff, I really prefer having it around to actually drink. My dad brings a little flask of it when he goes hiking or canoeing, it's great to have a swig of fire water when on top of a mountain or in the middle of a lake.
simon at 9:07AM on 09/01/09
"It is meant to be drank straight as an apertif."
It's actually meant to be had as a digestif not as an aperitif. You can either serve it straight or add it to espresso.
SqueezeBottle at 9:34AM on 09/01/09
My Tuscan landlords served cherries soaked in Grappa. The liquid was sipped from little liqueur glasses and the cherries were eating like olives. It was like drinking jet fuel, even the cherries were very fiery.
AnnieNT at 3:59PM on 09/02/09
How odd - I just watched a rerun of Cooking with Julia last night and her guest was making mini cakes she stirred some grappa into the batter and then used a small amount to perfume the whipped cream she served with the cake. It sounded really good!
Martini Me at 4:05PM on 09/02/09