Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Eating and Drinking => Cooking, Storing and Preserving => Topic started by: sunshineband on September 27, 2009, 16:16

Title: blackberry brandy
Post by: sunshineband on September 27, 2009, 16:16

Every year I make a couple of bottles of this, and it is absolutely scrumptious on a cold winter's evening (or tbh, mixed with iced lemonade on hot summer's evening if you have any left by then  :lol: :lol: )

Quantities need not be exact:

You need a large glass jar so that there is shaking room. I use cleaned jars that picking vinegar comes in so have given quantities for two of these-- they hold just over a litre)

3 cups of blackberries, either freshly picked or frozen -- no need to thaw
500 ml vodka - supermarket's own is fine
500ml brandy - I use spanish brandy but any is OK
12 oz sugar (about 500ml mark on the measuring jug)
Some years I add a few whole cloves, or some shaved lemon peel, but usually it is plain (like this year!)

Put roughly equal quantities of the sugar and black berries into the jars, pour in 250 ml each of vodka and brandy, screw on the lid tightly and shake hard to mix up ingredients.

Keep in the dark spot and remember to shake once a week for ten weeks.

Strain through a sieve lined with muslin, and pour into the bottles (then label) you want it to be in -- 500 ml bottles are quite good and I save anything I like the look of during the year. Remember you will need to seal it so screw tops ones are best.

Title: Re: blackberry brandy
Post by: vicpic39 on September 27, 2009, 16:58

oooh thanks for that ive got some blackberries in the freezer, im gonna make some this week!
vic x

Title: Re: blackberry brandy
Post by: sunshineband on October 15, 2009, 18:08

Just thought I'd let you know it's coming on a treat  :D :D

Title: Re: blackberry brandy
Post by: Val H on October 15, 2009, 18:55

I've pinched it and put it on the Recipe Pages! :D :D :D

Title: Re: blackberry brandy
Post by: sunshineband on October 15, 2009, 20:35

You're very welcome. It does us proud year after year  :D

Title: Re: blackberry brandy
Post by: Val H on October 15, 2009, 20:38

How come you are now green? Has Aunty been playing about again ::) ::) ::).

Title: Re: blackberry brandy
Post by: Val H on October 15, 2009, 20:39

I see Deputy Moderator!

Title: Re: blackberry brandy
Post by: sunshineband on October 15, 2009, 20:41

Not sure how I got choosed for that but I'm poised .................. it's so quiet out there I think  everyone from HLC is hibernating until Chick chick is back :lol: :lol:

Title: Re: blackberry brandy
Post by: Faz on October 17, 2009, 16:59

What a good idea. I started a batch yesterday which should be ready just in time for Christmas pressies :) Good idea about using pickle jars too, I am using two of them :)

Title: Re: blackberry brandy
Post by: sunshineband on October 17, 2009, 17:31

Hope it turns out well Faz  :)

Title: Re: blackberry brandy
Post by: Faz on October 19, 2009, 17:39

Thanks, I can't believe how quickly the liquor turned such a bright colour, they've only been in a few days! Makes me want to have a taste straight away  :tongue2:

Title: Re: blackberry brandy
Post by: sunshineband on October 20, 2009, 07:56

It is drinkable  ;) ... but better when it has had its full steeping time o course  :nowink:f

Title: Re: blackberry brandy
Post by: Leedsniner on November 07, 2009, 06:12

Sounds wonderful!

Title: Re: blackberry brandy
Post by: sunshineband on November 08, 2009, 21:16

Just a week to go before straining and adding any other ingredients   :D :D :D

Title: Re: blackberry brandy
Post by: Faz on November 10, 2009, 14:15

I must confess to having a sip the other day, it is very nice :)

Add more ingredients? Do you mean lemonade lol!!

Title: Re: blackberry brandy
Post by: sunshineband on November 10, 2009, 18:28

No I don't mean lemonade, Faz  :lol: :lol:

I was thinking of adding a vanilla pod this year, or maybe some green cardamom --- or maybe some of each, one in each jar  :D

Title: Re: blackberry brandy
Post by: sunshineband on November 30, 2009, 21:01

Safely strained and rather good, so haven'e added anything extra as it has plenty of flavour  :D

In lovely flattened looking bottles that shows the colour of a treat --- and guess what  ???

Some left for me :D :D :D