Marmalade Gin Liqueur

This sumptuous homemade orange marmalade gin liqueur makes a wonderful warming treat. Rich and golden and full of flavour, it is delicious straight up, over ice or in your favourite cocktails.

Marmalade gin liqueur

I love homemade liqueurs. You can adjust the flavours just as you like them and never suffer the disappointment of a commercial brand that sounded wonderful until you tasted far too much of that particular spice or not enough sweetness and body.

See also

• Easy Christmas gin, with warming Christmas pudding flavours
• The original homemade flavoured gin is sloe gin, the forager’s favourite
• For something fresh and different, make your own cranberry gin

I grew up with the traditional homemade sloe and damson gins, so it was never much of a stretch for me to start branching out into other versions. I have been doing it for many years and really believe you get the nicest drinks this way. It’s very easy, so if you have never tried it, you really, really should.

Orange flavours make some of the best liqueurs and this homemade marmalade gin recipe is no exception. It has richness and body and that lovely balancing bitter note along with the sweetness. All of this is even better if you can use a good homemade marmalade, of course.

I have used a little Aperol (you can also use Campari or red vermouth) as well as gin in my recipe, as a shot of a good aperitif gives a little extra complexity and boosts that rich orange-red colour that I find so appealing. There is lots of scope for adding your choice of spice or herbs (botanicals, as the gin industry likes to say) to get the flavour you like.

I will show you how to get a crystal-clear homemade liqueur that is more delightful than any of the shop-bought seasonal offerings.

This recipe really doesn’t take very long, so if you left the decision to opt for homemade gifts a little late, you only really need a week to infuse your gin. (Two or three weeks is better, but you can always put a label on it saying best not opened until New Year’s Eve!)

Why make orange marmalade gin

• It really is effortless.

• A gorgeous, distinctive liqueur adjusted to taste.

• Makes a big impression when entertaining.

• Makes a lovely homemade gift, so much more charming than the supermarket versions.

• The perfect self-present for the holidays!

Marmalade gin ingredients

• Gin – a straightforward traditional London gin without all the fancy botanicals (you’re going to flavour it your way and don’t want theirs getting in the way). You don’t need anything fancy, but also avoid the cheapest.

• Marmalade – classic Seville orange marmalade, homemade for preference. If you are going to buy it, look for a nice dark Dundee type marmalade rather than the delicate golden shred type.

• Aperol – an Italian ‘amaro’ aperitif that is fairly light on alcohol compared to its richer cousin Campari, it is flavoured with rhubarb and various floral ingredients. You can of course use Campari or use other bitters type drinks instead, or even your favourite red vermouth.

• Spices (optional) – I used a couple of cardamom pods as the flavour is a classic pairing with orange and one that I enjoy. You could also use a bay leaf, a tiny piece of cinnamon stick. I think a pinch of a woody Mediterranean herb like oregano would work well too. But go easy and pick just one!

How to make marmalade gin – step by step

Before you start, read my step-by-step instructions, with photos, hints and tips so you can make this orange marmalade gin liqueur recipe perfectly every time.

Scroll down for the recipe card with quantities and more tips at the bottom of the page.

Step One – Put the marmalade in a Kilner-style jar. Pour the gin over the top and seal the lid. 

Step Two – Give the jar a good stir or swirl. I tend not to shake as the seal is not always liquid-proof under that kind of stress! 

Add the cardamom pods (lightly crush them) and a double shot of Aperol or your preferred aperitif.

Seal the jar, give it another good swirl and leave in a cool dark cupboard for at least a week.

Step Three – After a week, the orange marmalade gin liqueur will be a deep red gold, most of the marmalade will have dissolved and the liquid will be quite cloudy in appearance.

Step Four – For a crystal clear marmalade liqueur, filter through a coffee filter, or a funnel lined with a folded square of kitchen paper.

This will take a good while (a few hours for the last drops to come through), so I tend to drape a piece of cling film over the top of the filter and leave it overnight. That way, the gin will be filtered by the time you want your coffee filter back for coffee!

Finally, using a jug (and ideally a funnel to avoid any spills and waste), transfer your homemade marmalade gin to suitable storage bottles. If you want to make this as a gift, choose a pretty bottle and label and decorate to taste.

For best results, let it stand in the bottle for a couple of weeks before opening for the flavours to meld, I find it is much smoother after a rest.

Serving suggestion

Serve your homemade orange marmalade gin liqueur neat, over ice or in your favourite cocktails. Your guests will adore it!

Variations

• I like cardamom, a warming spice that is a traditional partner to orange, but you can vary the spicing, with cinnamon or use something more herbal. A bay leaf works or you could try a little of a woody herb like thyme or oregano if you that is what you prefer.

• For a really fancy appearance for high days and holidays, add a few culinary gold leaf flakes.

• If you are using a red vermouth or Aperol, a few drops of angostura bitters or an orange bitter would be delicious.

Storage

As with all liqueurs, this is best stored in a cool dark cupboard. I find it is best used within the year. It won’t go off, but the flavours will be at their punchiest in the first 12 months.

Hints and tips

• Use a large, wide-necked jar or bottle to infuse your marmalade gin liqueur. You need to be able to get the marmalade in and out without any bother!

• I find a kitchen funnel invaluable for avoiding waste and mess in the kitchen and filling bottles with homemade drinks is one of those occasions when I am really glad of mine.

FAQs

More marmalade recipes

• Chocolate orange fudge – creamy with a zesty twist

• Sticky orange marmalade loaf – a delicious traditional bake

• Hints and tips for great marmalade – for the very best preserves