3lbsunripe, green black walnuts soft enough that they can be easily cut with a knife
1.75litre (7.4 cups) vodka or substitute everclear, see note
Spices
10whole cloves and/or allspice berriesYou could omit these and add 2 T good coffee beans instead.
Recommended Additions
Small handful of Galium triflorum leaves or sweet woodruff Optional, highly recommended
½cupchopped angelica stem or root Optional
Finishing
3cupsMaple Syrup or sugar or to taste, see note
3cupsWater
Instructions
Maceration
Wearing gloves, cut the walnuts in half.
Combine all the ingredients for the maceration (walnuts, alcohol, spices, and other optional additions) in a glass jar or other non-reactive container and allow to infuse for a month in a cool dark place.
Straining
After the one month maceration, strain the liquid, discard the solids. Strain the liquid through the finest strainer you have. There will be gunk in the bottom and lots of black-mucky looking material. You may need to wash the strainer during the process if it gets gunked up.
Thinning and sweetening
Add the water. Add the maple syrup or sugar, whisking and tasting until it tastes good to you.
You may not want all of the syrup. It should be quite strong as this is served in small amounts, but the exact sweetness is up to you. Some people prefer it candy sweet, I like mine less-so. Do not be put off by the strong, tannic taste of the nocino at this point, it will take months for the tannins to soften.
Aging to soften the tannins
Store the nocino in air tight containers, such as mason jars and allow to mature for at least 6 months. Taste it occasionally and you will notice how the tannins soften over time. I often keep it in the freezer and enjoy it chilled.
It makes a strong digestif served in a small glass after dinner.
Video
Notes
On Sweetening and DilutingThis is usually on the sweet side as I dilute it with other things like soda, ice, or drizzled over ice cream. Feel free to make it as sweet as you like. 3-5 cups of granulated sugar is typical.Using EverclearIf you use everclear as some do you will want to dilute it with extra water and maple syrup or sugar to taste, at least double.