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Cayenne Vinegar or Essence of Cayenne

Cayenne Vinegar or Essence of Cayenne is a traditional British recipe, based on Mrs Beeton's recipe of 1861, for a classic vinegar or spirit flavoured with cayenne pepper. The full recipe is presented here and I hope you enjoy this classic British version of: Cayenne Vinegar or Essence of Cayenne.

prep time

20 minutes

cook time

20 minutes

Total Time:

40 minutes

Additional Time:

(+30 days steeping)

Makes:

1 bottle

Rating:

Tags : Chilli RecipesBritish Recipes

This is a traditional British recipe redacted from the redoubtable Mrs Beeton's 1861 volume Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management, the classic Victorian cookbook.

Original Recipe

PICKLED CAPSICUMS.

CAYENNE VINEGAR, or ESSENCE OF CAYENNE.

386. INGREDIENTS.—1/2 oz. of cayenne pepper, 1/2 pint of strong spirit, or 1 pint of vinegar.

Mode.—Put the vinegar, or spirit, into a bottle, with the above proportion of cayenne, and let it steep for a month, when strain off and bottle for use. This is excellent seasoning for soups or sauces, but must be used very sparingly.

Modern Redaction

Ingredients:

For the Cayenne Vinegar:
15g cayenne pepper
600ml vinegar

For the Essence of Cayenne:
15g cayenne pepper
300ml vodka (at least 40% ABV)

Method:

For cayenne vinegar, combine the vinegar and cayenne pepper in a bottle. Stopper securely, put aside to steep for 1 month then strain through a fine-meshed sieve lined with muslin, bottle the liquid and store for use as a condiment or a seasoning for soups and stews.

Make essence of cayenne the same way. Combine the vodka and cayenne pepper in a bottle, set aside to steep then strain and store. Use as above; though the essence can also be used, sparingly, in cocktails or punches to give an additional 'kick'.

Find more Mrs Beeton Recipes Hereand more Traditional Victorian Recipes Here