First blackberries.

[Candy]

Joy and I were enjoying the first of the ripe blackberries this morning, eating them straight from the bush. As we meandered and munched I found my thoughts unaccountably turning to gin! I thought that if I started some blackberry gin off now it would be very nice indeed in time for Christmas. Just for presents, you understand. I've never made it before though. Do you just soak the blackberries in gin for a couple of months, turning the bottle over every now and then, then strain it like with Sloe gin? Do you add sugar? Any handy hints would be welcome. I'm keen to get started, it looks like being a bumper crop this year and I'd hate to think of them going to waste!

 

[SwampDonkey]

Yes waste is a terrible thing

 

[Cath]

We picked some today too. I am going to make some jam with them.

Blackberry Gin for you @Candy

How to make Simple Blackberry Gin using just 3 Ingredients • Lovely Greens

 

[Candy]

Thanks @Cath, that looks simple enough!

 

[Hollysdad]

Don't forget blackberry rumpot. A few spoonfuls over ice cream gives it a real kick.

 

[Candy]

Ooh! That sounds good! How do you make that?

 

[Hollysdad]

Put the blackberries in a bowl. Add the same weight of sugar. Cover them completely with dark rum and put on a lid or clingfilm to keep out germs. Leave it for several months while the rum absorbs the flavour.

We have a proper rumpot for doing this. It's a cylindrical china pot with a lid. We find it useful to put a plate on top of the fruit to keep it submerged.

As each fruit comes into season it's nice to add some more (chunks of apple, peaches, plums, berries etc). Always add sugar, and add more rum to keep it all covered.

At Christmas we strain off the fruit for the most amazing fruit salad (don't drive afterwards). As I said earlier, the rum is great over ice cream.

 

[Jacqui-S]

Think I might do that.
We could start a shop with the number of bottles of dark and spiced rum we have.

 

[Candy]

Thankyou, I shall have to have a go at that! After all, fruit is good for us!

 

[SwampDonkey]

That sounds great for Christmas pressies

 

[Hollysdad]

Thankyou, I shall have to have a go at that! After all, fruit is good for us!

This is extremely healthy. Trust me.

 

[Jen]

Why would you just assume we would know anything about gin?!

 

[JES72]

The common is full of them. Hubby owns a plot of land near fil it’s complete bramble you have to get through with a machete. Hubby’s dad finds a way in and always gives us bucket loads,

 

[Selina27]

Put the blackberries in a bowl. Add the same weight of sugar. Cover them completely with dark rum and put on a lid or clingfilm to keep out germs. Leave it for several months while the rum absorbs the flavour.

We have a proper rumpot for doing this. It's a cylindrical china pot with a lid. We find it useful to put a plate on top of the fruit to keep it submerged.

As each fruit comes into season it's nice to add some more (chunks of apple, peaches, plums, berries etc). Always add sugar, and add more rum to keep it all covered.

At Christmas we strain off the fruit for the most amazing fruit salad (don't drive afterwards). As I said earlier, the rum is great over ice cream.

Oooh I say, this sounds fabulous!

 

[kateincornwall]

Oooh I say, this sounds fabulous!

It does , except the bit about leaving it for months

 

[Selina27]

except the bit about leaving it for months

Oh, what are you like?

 

[Cath]

I do this with raisins and sultanas and dark rum, just a month before Christmas. I put the fruit in jam jars, pour the dark rum over them and put the lid on. At Christmas it is lovely poured over ice cream. I give them to friends and family and they always ask every year now, are you doing rum fruits again.

 

[kateincornwall]

I do this with raisins and sultanas and dark rum, just a month before Christmas. I put the fruit in jam jars, pour the dark rum over them and put the lid on. At Christmas it is lovely poured over ice cream. I give them to friends and family and they always ask every year now, are you doing rum fruits again.

This sounds lovely x

 

[Aitch]

I used to make rumtopf too. Haven't made it in years and I'm not sure why, I really should start making it again. I do always cut the sugar down though.

 

[Natalie]

Christmas we strain off the fruit for the most amazing fruit salad

So the fruit is absolutely ok to eat after all that time? I guess it's basically pickled at that point? (As is the hoooman afterwards?)