5 Easy Ways To Preserve Guavas For Post-Winter Cocktails
During winters, guavas can be procured and utilised in abundance to make several alcoholic and non-alcoholic blends. The fruit is sought for its sweet taste and distinct aroma which builds flavour into several tropical mixes.
As winter morphs into warmer climes, guavas also make an exit from the fruit market. However, it is possible to utilise this fruit in the form of a puree or jam after the season is over in order to blend drinks carrying its flavours.
Here are some of the ways in which the fruit can be preserved to be added into cocktails in various forms post the winter season:
As A Puree
A dozen or two guavas can be peeled and seeded to be converted into a puree which can be stored in the refrigerator for at least a couple of months. This guava puree can be brought out whenever required to make drinks which use this fruit as their base ingredient.
A drop of lemon juice can be infused into the puree to make it last longer and to give it a tangier touch. For easy storage, guava puree can be portioned into ice cube trays to set before placing it in a freezer bag.
If one prefers a fine puree, the pulpy guava can be strained to get rid of any excess substances. Such a mixer can be used to prepare cocktails like guava mojitos or a variety of tropical punches.
Canned Guava Syrup
Guava syrup can be prepared by mixing the fruit with sugar and water until the mixture is converted into a fine blend. Strain the liquid to arrive at a fine syrupy mix and pour it hot into sterilised cans. Seal the jars and store them in a cool place. This canned guava syrup can be opened whenever required to introduce a flavour of the fruit into any cocktail recipe mixed even after winters have gone by.
With the syrup, it is possible to release subtle fruity flavours into a cocktail blend without making its taste too overpowering. Refrigerate the can once opened and use it to prepare cocktails like a guava gin fizz or guava old fashioned.
Guava Jam
Another way to preserve guavas well into the seasons that follow the cooling winter climes is to craft a sweet jam out of the fruit. Use pink guavas for their sweeter taste and gooier flesh to prepare this spread. Mix sugar with the fruit and cook the blend until it thickens. The jam can be stored in clean, sterilised mason jars.
While the jam works finely as a spread on different breads and croissants, a classic guava jam or jelly can also be used in the preparation of gin or champagne-based cocktails to infuse a smooth, sweet and tropical flavour into these classic blends.
Guava Infused Liqueur
Guavas can also be added to liqueurs or different spirits so their essence is preserved in these drinks which act as the core ingredients in the making of several cocktails.
Infusing guavas in liqueurs involves adding fresh or frozen guava slices to about 500 ml of vodka or rum, and storing these spirits in a dry place so all the flavours of the fruit seep into the drinks. Once the infusion process is complete, the fruit slices can be strained out, leaving behind a clear liquid which carries a subtle taste and distinct aroma of the fruit.
Such a spirit can then be used to blend fruit-based drinks like a tropical daiquiri or a guava piña colada.
Dehydrated Guava
A more inventive way of preserving guavas for utilising them in cocktails is by dehydrating the fruit slices. Seeded guava slices can be placed in a food dehydrator or on a baking sheet which is then placed in the oven.
Once the slices are fully dry, they can be stored in mason jars sealed tightly. Dehydrated guava slices can be used as adornments or garnishes in lots of summer or springtime drinks to bring a feel of the cooler weather into these blends.
Not only do dehydrated slices add an aesthetic touch to blends but they also introduce an intensely fruity taste into a variety of cocktails.
Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
