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Ingredients

1 lemon 1 orange 1 pound honey 3 ½ cups bottled water 3 cups white sugar 3 tablespoons caraway seeds 25 whole cloves 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg 2 pints 190 proof grain alcohol

Nutrition Info

186.8 calories carbohydrate: 28.1 g cholesterol: : - fat: 0.2 g fiber: 0.7 g protein: 0.2 g saturatedFat: : - servingSize: - sodium: 3 mg sugar: 27.1 g transFat: : - unsaturatedFat: : -

Directions

Peel orange and lemon in a circular motion in a large strip. Place peels in a warm, dry area to dry for 24 hours.
Stir honey, 1 cup water, sugar, caraway seeds, cloves, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and ground nutmeg together in a large pot, bring to a rolling boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 45 minutes. Add dried orange and lemon peels to honey mixture, continue to simmer for 15 minutes.
Remove from heat, discard fruit peels. Stir grain alcohol and remaining 2 1/2 cups water into honey mixture. Transfer mixture to a glass container and tightly cover with a lid. Place in a cool location out of direct sunlight and let set, gently swirling container every few days, for 1 week.
Strain mixture through double-layered cheesecloth to remove sediment. Pour liqueur into bottles or decanters and seal.

Recipe Yield

2 750ml bottles

Recipe Note

This is a sweet, very potent beverage that can be found at Lithuanian festivals and Lithuanian social clubs in Baltimore. They usually pronounce it 'VIT-a-tis'. Viryta is usually homemade by descendants of Lithuanian immigrants, using recipes that have been handed down through the generations, and is a popular commodity around the holidays. It took me years to finally get someone to teach me how to make it;most of the people around Baltimore who make it are very secretive about their family recipes! I'd probably catch an earful if she knew I posted it online!

Alternatives to this recipe

Viryta (Lithuanian Honey Liqueur)