Weird Cypriot Alcohol

Ladyhawk

A few years ago a friend brought me some weird alcohol back from Cyprus. I have been too scared to drink it, so what else can I do with it (I don't like trifle!)

Apparently is wine based :undecided

There is dry red zivania
Zoukki
Holy wine
White zivania
sweet red zivania

The little bottles are only 50ml each - if I could work out how to add pics to my post I would show you what they look like.

ED - http://www.cyprusfoodndrinks.com/cgibin/hweb?-A=1281&-V=hall - though mine doesn't have the rum

knithryn

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zivania
use it as a muscle rub instead of drinking it?
It might be good over Christmas pudding too

Mands

Ladyhawk wrote: »

A few years ago a friend brought me some weird alcohol back from Cyprus. I have been too scared to drink it, so what else can I do with it (I don't like trifle!)

Apparently is wine based :undecided

There is dry red zivania
Zoukki
Holy wine
White zivania
sweet red zivania

The little bottles are only 50ml each - if I could work out how to add pics to my post I would show you what they look like.

ED - http://www.cyprusfoodndrinks.com/cgibin/hweb?-A=1281&-V=hall - though mine doesn't have the rum

Zivania has lots of potential uses.

In the time that I've lived in Cyprus I've seen it recommended for toothache, for impotence, for cleaning drains, as anti-freeze in the car washer bottles and occasionally for drinking.

If you plan to drink it then either very early or very late is suggested; late when you've already drunk everything else already in the house or early 'cos you really need fortifying for the day ahead.

One of my neighbours frequently offers me a shot in the morning as I'm driving out to the supermarket :-)

Seriously, it's the local spirit so think of it as the vodka of Poland or the grappa of Italy. Make a Cypriot (or Greek at a push) meal and knock back the zivania as an aperitif. The wine will be fine in a casserole or however you normally use wine in cooking.

If the zivania is particularly strong, check the proof on the bottle, then you could make a tiny amount limoncello with the white one. Shout if you want a recipe.

Mands

Ladyhawk

ooh - Limoncello sounds good... thanks Mands. Can I have the recipe?

Ladyhawk

knithryn wrote: »

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zivania
use it as a muscle rub instead of drinking it?

If only I had a nice young man to apply it!

Mands

Ladyhawk wrote: »

ooh - Limoncello sounds good... thanks Mands. Can I have the recipe?

I used the recipe below to make a batch of Arancello, an orange liquer rather than lemons.

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/760056/



Use the clear zivania in place of the Everclear. According to my notes I used 1 litre of zivania to the zest of 10 oranges.

I've been thinking about your red zivania. What about adding something like raspberries and leaving it for a few weeks for the flavour to be leached out. Strain the liquid, discard the fruit and serve the raspberry-flavoured liquid over ice.

Mands

Ladyhawk

Great ideas thanks