Homemade Christmas Gin Food

CHRISTMAS GIN

Steps:

• Open the bottle of vodka and add the juniper berries, orange peel, cloves and cinnamon. (If you prefer a stronger flavour, bruise the juniper berries using a pestle and mortar first.) Put the lid back on the bottle and leave in a cool, dark place for 12-24 hrs, but no more, or the flavours may become imbalanced.
• Strain the infused vodka into a jug through a fine sieve (or a coffee filter works well), then pour back into a clean bottle. Will keep for several months in a cool dark place. Mix with tonic or in a martini.

CHRISTMAS PUDDING GIN

Steps:

• Put all the ingredients in a large, clean jar. Swirl to dissolve the sugar, then leave to infuse for 24-48 hrs in a cool, dark place.
• Strain the infused gin into a jug through a fine sieve or coffee filter, then pour into one large clean bottle or several small ones if giving as gifts. Will keep for a few weeks at room temperature or longer chilled.

FESTIVE PINK GIN

Steps:

• If the cranberries are fresh, put in a bowl and burst with the end of a rolling pin. Put everything into a sterilised 1-litre sealable flip-top jar. Seal, shake so the sugar dissolves, and leave in a cool, dark place for 24 hrs.
• Strain through a fine mesh sieve, then bottle. Will keep for several months in a cool, dark place. Serve with tonic, or a dash of prosecco.