Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Eating and Drinking => Homebrew => Topic started by: Growster... on May 07, 2016, 10:37

Title: Blackcurrant liqueur (Cassis)...
Post by: Growster... on May 07, 2016, 10:37
Has anyone tried making this with an extra strong yeast?

We have a lot of blackcurrant bushes, and there comes a time when an alternative use for them becomes a plan...

I'd reckon an Alcotec yeast could take it up to about 20%, but any other ideas would be very welcome!
Title: Re: Blackcurrant liqueur (Cassis)...
Post by: Mrs Bee on May 07, 2016, 21:35
I just squish my blackcurrants, toss in the sugar and vodka and leave for a month in a dark place, which is where I have to go when I drink too much of it.
Title: Re: Blackcurrant liqueur (Cassis)...
Post by: Growster... on May 07, 2016, 23:23
So how much sugar do you chuck in, Mrs Bee?

Can it ferment out properly?

Sounds lovely though!
Title: Re: Blackcurrant liqueur (Cassis)...
Post by: Mrs Bee on May 08, 2016, 19:26
450g blackcurrants
600ml gin or brandy or vodka

crush blackcurrants, top with the gin and leave in a dark place for 2 months,

Strain out the blackcurrants and add 175g of sugar to each pint of liquid.

Pour into a container and leave for 2days stirring occasionally.

Finally strain through muslin and store in a cool dark place for 6 months before using.
It is not as sweet as the commercial stuff.


I used some of mine to soak some sponge cakes which I layered with mascarpone whipped with a little sugar and more cassis, and a blackcurrant compote.  I then spread more of the cream over the outside of the cake and rolled the side in grated chocolate. Made a little happy birthday plaque to go on the top for Mr Bee today. He loves blackcurrants.

We had a glass of cassis to go with it too.
Title: Re: Blackcurrant liqueur (Cassis)...
Post by: GrannieAnnie on May 08, 2016, 21:41
Oooohhh Mrs Bee, that sounds yummy! xx  I love blackcurrants too, but Brian doesn't.
Title: Re: Blackcurrant liqueur (Cassis)...
Post by: Growster... on May 09, 2016, 06:18
Now that sounds just marvellous, Mrs Bee!

Way to go in my opinion!
Title: Re: Blackcurrant liqueur (Cassis)...
Post by: snowdrops on May 09, 2016, 08:29
Could I use frozen berries? Would I defrost hem first, I've all last years soft fruit in the freezer,with one thing & another I didn't do anything with it all,so gooseberries,black,white & red currents, only thing is I didn't top & tail them
Title: Re: Blackcurrant liqueur (Cassis)...
Post by: snowdrops on May 09, 2016, 08:30
Hem= them, no edit button anymore
Title: Re: Blackcurrant liqueur (Cassis)...
Post by: Growster... on May 09, 2016, 15:06
We'd have to defrost them Snowdrops, and it would make a big hole in our freezer if we did too!

I've ordered a Super Atomic Powered Yeast online, so that I'll blitz the lot and get about 20% alcohol into the bargain!
Title: Re: Blackcurrant liqueur (Cassis)...
Post by: Mrs Bee on May 09, 2016, 20:47
Could I use frozen berries? Would I defrost them first, I've all last years soft fruit in the freezer,with one thing & another I didn't do anything with it all,so gooseberries,black,white & red currents, only thing is I didn't top & tail them

Yep, frozen berries are fine. I used frozen berries.

I shouldn't think not topping and tailing them would matter as you will be filtering them through a coffee filter or fine muslin.

I take it the currants are off the stalks, as I don't think I would put the stalks in.
Title: Re: Blackcurrant liqueur (Cassis)...
Post by: snowdrops on May 09, 2016, 20:52
Yes they're off the stalks. Growster, let me know how the yeast option goes,might try that another time
Title: Re: Blackcurrant liqueur (Cassis)...
Post by: snowdrops on May 09, 2016, 20:53
How long will it keep without the yeast?
Title: Re: Blackcurrant liqueur (Cassis)...
Post by: Mrs Bee on May 10, 2016, 18:30
Well in our house not long, because we drink it.  ::)

But at least a year.
Title: Re: Blackcurrant liqueur (Cassis)...
Post by: Growster... on May 10, 2016, 20:05
Yes they're off the stalks. Growster, let me know how the yeast option goes,might try that another time

I sure will!

We've got a 24 hr one and a 48 hr one, and I'm working out all the quants as we speak! The yeast packs are real beasts, they weigh a pound each!

I'll probably just chuck the whole lot of fruit together as I normally do, and get a result that way!

Life's to short to calculate a Cassis strength...
Title: Re: Blackcurrant liqueur (Cassis)...
Post by: madcat on June 20, 2017, 10:31
How did it go?

I'm looking at this year's crop ripening and thinking that there is going to be a lot there!  Cassis is a staple round here .... and I usually use Mrs B's method.
Title: Re: Blackcurrant liqueur (Cassis)...
Post by: Growster... on June 20, 2017, 12:33
How did it go?

I'm looking at this year's crop ripening and thinking that there is going to be a lot there!  Cassis is a staple round here .... and I usually use Mrs B's method.

So so, Madcat - sorry should have remembered to tell everyone...

I've still got the sloe 'gin', which was another recipe I bunged together, but some of the other fruit wine wasn't that good, and hasn't lasted well...

Title: Re: Blackcurrant liqueur (Cassis)...
Post by: madcat on June 20, 2017, 16:59
OK - I'll stick with Mrs B's.

I'm going to need a small mortgage for the next supermarket run ....  Gin, brandy and vodka ....
Title: Re: Blackcurrant liqueur (Cassis)...
Post by: sunshineband on June 20, 2017, 18:00
Well in our house not long, because we drink it.  ::)

But at least a year.

We discovered a bottle in the garage dated 1985, made by my mother and moved here with a box of memory things when she died.
It was very dark and eminently drinkable 😀😀😀