Bramble Liqueur

Photo credit: Edward Howell (Unsplash)

Like brambles? Love wine? Try this then. It’s my absolute favourite hedgerow liqueur!

Last year, when our hedgerows were laden with bramble juiciness I came across this recipe from A Tipsy Giraffe. I was looking for an alternative to jam and having limited freezer space I needed another bottled option. This is perfect: delicious, simple to prepare and ready in just 3 days. Blackberry Liqueuer or Crème de Mure, is the key ingredient in a Bramble cocktail - gin, Blackberry Liqueur and lemon juice - which I love.

I got about 1.25l from this recipe. If you are planning on giving it as gifts then I suggest you make at least twice this, so you have plenty for yourself, otherwise (if you’re like me anyway) you will find it really difficult to share! It’s seriously delicious!

INGREDIENTS

• 700g blackberries, washed and de-stemmed

• 750ml red wine - choose a decent bottle, that you’d be happy to drink on it’s own.

• 300g sugar

• 120 ml vodka or gin - I used vodka

METHOD

1.   Put the blackberries in a large glass or ceramic bowl and pour over the red wine. Use a potato masher to squish the berries and release their juices.

2.   Cover with a clean towel and leave to macerate for 48 hours in a cool and, ideally, dark, place. I just left mine out on the kitchen counter, due to limited space, and it worked fine. Stir once or twice, if you remember.

3.   Strain through a wire mesh sieve to remove the berries, then strain again through cheese cloth to ensure all the seeds are out.

4.   Pour into a large saucepan and add the sugar. Bring to a gentle simmer on a medium hear, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Simmer for 8 minutes.

5.   Remove from heat and stir in the vodka or gin and then leave to cool completely.

6.   Pour into clean, preferably sterilised bottles.

7.   Store in a cool, dark place. You can drink it immediately but will keep for at least one year, longer if stored in sterilised bottles.