I am unapologetic about what I am about to say; I think that the best part of any fruitcake recipe is the boozy fruit-filled liquid that is the result of soaking all of the delicious dried fruit to make a fruitcake. There, I said it and I don't feel bad about it, not one bit!
{{This Fruitcake Liquor recipe & post were made in partnership with California Prunes. We received compensation in exchange for it. Opinions are always our own. Thank you for your continued support of our small business!}}
Welcome to the most versatile fruitcake recipe ever: fruitcake liquor! This recipe will show you how to use the infused liquor that is left after soaking dried fruit for traditional fruitcakes. This fruitcake liquor can be made with white or dark rum, bourbon, or even brandy, depending on your preference.
Step-by-step instructions for this easy fruitcake recipe.
Honestly, there isn't much that you need to do to make this fruitcake-infused liquor. The most important step is to decide how much liquor you would like to make, I tend to go big which you can tell from the size of the jar in the images below. Then I decide on what types of dried fruit to use and the quantities of each that I will need.
To make the infusion, start by layering diced dried fruit such as California prunes, raisins, dried figs, dates, dried cherries, dried apples, dried pears, and dried cranberries in a large glass jar.
We like to make a lot of fruitcake liquor, so we use a whopping 10 cups of diced dried fruit along with a 1.75-liter bottle of white rum.
I personally love the flavor that California prunes lend to this Fruitcake liquor so I add more of them than anything else. Just look at my jar! It starts with a layer of dried chopped figs followed by a layer of diced California prunes. Next, a layer of dried diced apples followed by, you guessed it, a layer of diced California prunes. You get the gist - easy peasy!
After infusing the dried fruit with the alcohol for 3-5 days, the rehydrated fruit can be strained out and used for baking, while the alcohol left behind is perfect for making festive cocktails.
If the liquor you started with was clear like white rum you will be able to tell how much color the alcohol takes on as it infuses. That is pure flavor!
Looking for a way to make this Fruitcake Liquor, but want to make a much smaller batch? I have you covered!
I shared recipes for three different Craft Cocktail Kits that you can make for yourself or for easy holiday gifting on the California Grown website. Each kit is perfect for infusing 10-12 ounces of alcohol.
These kits are super fun and are the gift that keeps on giving as they can be used to infuse 2-3 different batches of alcohol. You can check out those recipes at the link below!
Fruitcake-inspired Craft Cocktail Kit
Are you searching for the ultimate holiday gift for a foodie? Look no further than our handmade craft cocktail kits! These kits are made with dried fruit, dried edible flowers, whole spices, dehydrated citrus, and sugar cubes measured out into perfect portions for infusing with the recipient’s favorite alcohol.
Click here for this easy fruitcake-inspired recipe.
What types of cocktails can you make with Fruitcake Liquor?
Fruitcake Rum and Coke, Old-Fashioned Fruitcake Cocktail, Fruitcake Martini - the options are endless. We like to store our jar of fruitcake liquor in the fridge and keep adding more white rum as the levels drop throughout the holiday season to ensure we have a signature holiday cocktail for every guest that comes through our door that wants one, and a few for us to enjoy fireside.
Fruitcake Rum and Coke; The Best Christmas Cocktail
Prepare yourself for the ultimate holiday cocktail - at least in our opinion, Fruitcake Rum & Coke!
Click here for this easy Fruitcake recipe.
Easy and delicious Fruitcake-inspired recipes to make with the booze-soaked dried fruit.
The alcohol-infused dried fruit itself is perfect for making all sorts of baked goods during the holiday season.
If you want to go the traditional route, you can use it to make fruitcakes, I'll include a few links to my favorite fruitcake recipes below.
But you can also get creative and use it to make easier, less involved holiday baked goods all season long like Fruitcake Muffins, Fruitcake Cookies, or an easy cake recipe; Fruitcake-Inspired Bundt Cake.
The Ultimate Guide to Gluten-Free Fruitcake Recipes
I have two recipe variations on fruitcake you may want to try - a traditional Aged Fruitcake and a version for more impatient bakers like me, my Bake and Eat Fruitcake.
Click here to read our guide to all things fruitcake!
Sugar-Topped Fruitcake Muffins
If you're looking for a delicious and healthy way to serve breakfast for Christmas, look no further than our festive Fruitcake Muffins!
Made with a plethora of dried fruit and a blend of gluten-free all-purpose flour and almond flour, these muffins pack a delicious protein-rich punch to fuel your day.
Click here for this easy Fruitcake recipe.
The Best Fruitcake Cookies
It seems like every family has its own fruitcake cookies recipes. Fruitcake cookies are a delicious traditional holiday treat that has a long and storied history.
Click here for this easy Fruitcake recipe.
Fruitcake-Inspired Bundt Cake
Fruitcake is a holiday staple, but if you're not a fan of the dense, boozy fruit-filled treat, you may feel left out during the holiday season.
That's where this Fruitcake-Inspired Bundt Cake comes in! This easy cake recipe is perfect for those who love the flavors of fruitcake but prefer a softer, more cake-like consistency.
Click here for this easy Fruitcake recipe.
So go ahead and give this versatile fruitcake recipe a try. You'll love the rich, fruity flavors of the infused liquor, and the rehydrated fruit is a tasty addition to many holiday baked goods. Happy holidays!
If you’ve given this infused Fruitcake a try rate the recipe with a star rating and let me know what you think in the comments below!
I just love hearing from you! Your reviews and comments really help others that visit This Mess is Ours.
PrintFruitcake Liquor
You will love the rich and fruity holiday flavor of this infused Fruitcake liquor, and the rehydrated fruit is a tasty addition to any holiday baked goods.
- Prep Time: 30 min
- Infusion time: 3-5 days
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 30 shots 1x
- Category: Drinks/Sips
- Method: Infused
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
2 cups diced California prunes
1 cup California raisins, you can use any variety of raisins. A medley, dried-on-vine raisins, or golden raisins are all great choices.
1 cup diced dried California figs
1 cup diced California dates
1 cup diced dried apricots
1 cup dried cherries
1 cup diced dried apple rings
1 cup diced dried pears
1 cup dried cranberries
1 vanilla bean, split
2 cinnamon sticks
1 star anise
1.75 liter bottle of white or spiced rum, bourbon, or brandy
Instructions
To make fruitcake liquor:
Layer the dried fruit and spices in a very large container like a glass jar. If needed you can make multiple smaller infusion jars instead of one large one. If you decide to break up the mixture you will need to divide the spices among the jars. In the case of star anise that cannot be easily broken into individual pieces, you can omit it altogether or simply add 1-star anise per jar you are infusing. It's important to note that the star anise will have a more discernable flavor note in the final infusion.
Pour the alcohol over the dried fruit and spices covering completely.
Transfer the container to a cool place, like the pantry, for 3-5 days so that it can infuse. You can also place the infusion jars in the fridge for 3-5 days. Either way works great. After the alcohol has infused you are ready to start making cocktails and baked goods.
To store fruitcake liquor:
You can strain all of the fruit out and store the fruit and liquor in separate containers in the fridge. The fruit will last for up to a week this way.
Or you can do what we do. Keep the entire jar stored in the fridge and as you use the infused liquor and fruit throughout the season simply keep the jar topped off with new liquor so that the dried fruit stays submerged.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 ounces
- Calories: 131
- Sugar: 21.3 g
- Sodium: 5.8 mg
- Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 33.6 g
- Protein: 1.1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
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