Are you looking for a quick gift you can whip up? Do you want it to be dramatic and wonderful, but take hardly any effort to create? This Exotic Candied Citrus Syrup is the answer. Set it on the back burner, literally, while you work on everything else.
My syrup is 90% kumquats and 10% meyer lemon peel. But your’s could be tangerine, lemon, or if you want to get really exotic, Buddha’s hand.
Once you’ve made the syrup, what can be done with it? Well, put it in a pretty jar and gift it to your friends and neighbors. They can use it for a myriad of things including cocktails and glazes. Make Amaretto Sours, or glazed carrots. The first time I made candied kumquats, I included a tablespoon of the syrup in my vegan quinoa salad.

Materials:

Citrus fruit (I used 1lb of kumquats)
Sugar
Water
Decorative jars

Directions

Step 1: Slice the kumquats in half lengthwise. Remove any large seeds. If using lemon peel, create long curls of peel with a peeler, then slice them thin with the tip of a sharp knife.

Step 2: Bring equal parts sugar and water almost to a boil.

Step 3: Add the citrus and let the mixture simmer on medium heat for at least 2 hours, or as long as you like. The fruit can be cooked for up to 6 hours. The kumquats will turn from bright orange to a dark but translucent orange if you cook them for a very long time.

Step 4: Let the syrup cool, then pour it into jars. Include a cocktail recipe if you like! Here’s my recipe for Exotic Amaretto Sours: Fill a shaker with ice. Add 2 shots of Amaretto and 1/2 a shot of kumquat syrup. Shake well, and strain into a chilled glass.