Orahovica - Nocino - Walnut Liquor
Orahovica or Nocino is a bitter sweet liqueur typically made in early summer and drank at Christmas and beyond. Traditionally green walnuts are harvested in June and legend has it the best, most medicinal walnuts are harvested on the Feast of St. John the Baptist or June 24th. Orahovica can and should be aged at a minimum of 6 months before drinking, some recipes call for aging the liqueur for 18 months.
Soaking any liquor in whole (or quartered) green walnut will turn it black, care should be taken when handling green walnuts as they will stain skin and clothes. Since walnuts are only available once a year and not easy to find in stores or the internet I suggest harvesting a years worth in June and keeping them in the freezer for use during the year. I've found several walnut trees in the forest by our home, they are a messy tree and probably won't be in local parks or in urban areas.
Walnuts contain very high levels of antioxidants and the walnut husk contains many different phenolic compounds. Walnuts are claimed to help decrease risk of heart disease, certain kinds of cancer, gallstones, type 2 diabetes and other health problems.
Here is a very common recipe for Orahovica:
1L Brandy or Vodka
12 Green Walnuts washed and quartered
250 - 500G of sugar (to taste)
8 - 10 whole coffee beans
1/2 a Vanilla Bean split
Lemon Zest of 1 lemon
Optional:
1 Cinnamon Stick
12 Cloves
Combine brandy and sugar, mix until the sugar is mostly dissolved. Add the all other ingredients into a large mouth jar and top with the brandy. Seal tightly and let sit in direct sun for 30-40 days, shake weekly. Strain off a the liquid then strain again through a cheese cloth. Serve chilled, rim your glass with sugar.
Soaking any liquor in whole (or quartered) green walnut will turn it black, care should be taken when handling green walnuts as they will stain skin and clothes. Since walnuts are only available once a year and not easy to find in stores or the internet I suggest harvesting a years worth in June and keeping them in the freezer for use during the year. I've found several walnut trees in the forest by our home, they are a messy tree and probably won't be in local parks or in urban areas.
Walnuts contain very high levels of antioxidants and the walnut husk contains many different phenolic compounds. Walnuts are claimed to help decrease risk of heart disease, certain kinds of cancer, gallstones, type 2 diabetes and other health problems.
Here is a very common recipe for Orahovica:
1L Brandy or Vodka
12 Green Walnuts washed and quartered
250 - 500G of sugar (to taste)
8 - 10 whole coffee beans
1/2 a Vanilla Bean split
Lemon Zest of 1 lemon
Optional:
1 Cinnamon Stick
12 Cloves
Combine brandy and sugar, mix until the sugar is mostly dissolved. Add the all other ingredients into a large mouth jar and top with the brandy. Seal tightly and let sit in direct sun for 30-40 days, shake weekly. Strain off a the liquid then strain again through a cheese cloth. Serve chilled, rim your glass with sugar.
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