How to Filter Cordials and Ratafias

The filtering is of the utmost importance. A good homemade filter may be improvised by fitting a piece of felt into a funnel, very closely. Some use flannel, but the felt is far better. Filtering paper is sold by all druggists. Put the funnel in the mouth of the bottle, fit in the paper, pour in the mixture and let it filter slowly. Again, others use the ordinary brown or white paper, but this allows the aroma to escape, and the taste of the paper clings to the Cordial. If you wish the Cordial to be very transparent, take very dry, clear, transparent isinglass, and cut it very, very thin. Then dissolve it with White Wine until it is perfectly liquid. Put it into bottles and preserve for use. When needed, coat the inside of the strainer with this, using a light brush or sponge. It will form a glue around the funnel. Pour the Cordial or Liqueur through this, straining several times, again and again, until it becomes perfectly transparent. Strain it the last time into bottles, and seal very tight. You will then have a clear, limpid Cordial or Liqueur that will not have lost its aroma by evaporation.