Blackberry Vodka Recipe River Cottage Food

BLACKBERRY LIQUEUR

Steps:

• Shake together the water, vodka and sugar to dissolve sugar.
• Gently mix together with the blackberries, taking care not to cut or crush the berries.
• Leave to infuse about 10-12 days until the berries have lost most of their color.
• Pour thru a fine strainer and discard the berries.
• Pour into decorative bottles.

HOMEMADE RASPBERRY VODKA

Steps:

• Sterilise a 1.5 litre preserving jar (see tip, left). Tip the raspberries, sugar and vanilla into the jar.
• Pour half the vodka into the jar. Seal the lid, then turn the jar upside down and give it a good shake to evenly distribute the sugar. Remove the lid and add the remaining vodka.
• Ensure the jar is sealed and store in a cool dark place, turning/shaking once a day for the first week. After 2-3 weeks you can strain the vodka through a sieve lined with coffee filter papers or a clean kitchen cloth. Pour the vodka back into mini bottles and label. The vodka will keep its pink colour for a few months, but will be drinkable for 2 years.

BLACKBERRY LIQUEUR (CRÈME DE MÛRE)

Steps:

• Pick over the blackberries and remove any stalks or leaves. Tip into a large ceramic or glass bowl and pour over the wine. Use a potato masher to crush the fruit into the wine. Cover with a tea towel and leave to macerate in a cool place for 2 days, mashing occasionally.
• Pour the mixture through a plastic sieve, then pass again through the sieve or a colander lined with a square of muslin to remove any bits. 3 Tip the juice into a pan and add the sugar. Heat gently, stirring until the sugar has dissolved, then simmer for 5 mins. Leave to cool, then stir in the vodka or gin. Using a small jug, pour into bottles, then seal and label. It's ready to use straight away. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight for up to 1 year.

BLACKBERRY CORDIAL

Steps:

• Fill quart jars with blackberries. Pour vodka in to cover berries. Put on the lids and put jars in a cool, dark place and forget about them for 2 to 4 weeks. Then, pour contents through a strainer and reserve liquid. In a heavy saucepan combine sugar and water and bring to boil, long enough to dissolve sugar. When this syrup cools a bit, add to blackberry liquid and stir. Pour liquid into container of choice and put in freezer. When chilled, it's good as is or, as we tried it, in a juice glass with ginger ale. It's indescribably good.