Licor de Leite

Description: Transparent liquid, amber color, quite sweet and com-plex in flavor, due to its composition.

Region: Autonomous Region of the Azores.

Particularity: The curious particularity of this liqueur is perhaps its dual use: either as a liqueur, or through the use of its residues, in the confection of Christmas pudding.

History: Like all other homemade liqueurs, its origin is lost in time, although no written record has been found. However, the consumption of liqueurs is part of traditional folklore and certain customs imply their integration into the lives of the Azorean people. One of these customs, which applies to all other homemade liqueurs, is a curious tradition on the island of S. Miguel in which, around Christmas, groups of teenagers go door to door asking if "the boy", and are then offered a very small glass of liquor along with other treats.

Use: After meals and especially at Christmas time.

Know-how: In a wide-mouthed carboy, place a mixture of alcohol, sugar, vanilla, chocolate, lemon and milk, which is infused for 15 days. During this time, the infusion is stirred every day. At the end of the 15 days, the mixture is carefully filtered, through a paper filter, placed in a funnel. The residues are removed carefully, so as not to break the filter, as the aim is to obtain a perfectly clear liquid. These residues are carefully stored, to add to the Christmas pudding that is also traditionally prepared at this time.

Source: Produtos Tradicionais Portugueses, Lisboa, DGDR, 2001