Make-your-own Slovenian Pine Schnapps
(Courtesy of the Art Center in Prekmurje. For details, visit Artcenter-slovenia.blogspot.com/2011/11/pine-syrup-pine-schnapps-sirup-iz.html)
Pine tops (the bunches of fresh needles that grow at the end of branches in spring)
White sugar
Clean glass jars or bottles with tops
Gauze or another clean fabric for filtering
Store-bought or homemade schnapps
Pour about a ¼-inch-thick layer of sugar in the bottom of the jars. Cover with a blanket of pine tops. Layer more sugar, then more pine tops, alternating until the jars are full. Close the jars, and then cover them with black plastic to keep out them green.
The jars will need to sit for at least 40 days (the longer the better). The longer you leave the jars, the greater quantity of essential oil will be extracted from the pine needles.
As the sugar melts, the pine top concoction may settle. Add more pine tops and sugar to keep the jar full.
After several weeks, filter the syrup into small jars or bottles. Store in a cool, dry place.
Place the remaining sugary pine tops into clean jars, and fill the jars with a mixed fruit schnapps, completely covering the needles. The more pine tips in the jars, the stronger the pine taste will be in the finished product. Let them sit and mix for as long as you can wait!
