Nice recipe photo below huh? Yes… if you know how to tart up a pic of a plastic bottle holding dark blackberry grog, do let me know! Anyway, get out into the fields; there are still blackberries to be had, much to my shock and surprise. I managed to pick just over ½ a kilo last Saturday whilst walking the dog, so wanted to put these prime juicy specimens to good use.
I started to think of the game season which is now almost fully upon us. Blackberries, spice and game make for very good plate partners. So, as a shortcut, I thought some spiced blackberry vodka would make a great drink to slurp alongside my game dishes, or even better, to add a burst of flavour to sauces.
Even after just a few days, this spiced vodka tastes delicious, with all the individual flavours coming through. I shall leave it to brew for a couple of months yet and then try adding to a sauce, or slow cooked dish of either venison or duck. Oh yes…
| Spiced Blackberry Vodka Recipe |
Recipe type: Drink
Author:
Prep time: 10 mins
Total time: 10 mins
Beautiful sweet, plump blackberries with star anise, cinnamon and just an edge of lemon make for a winning combination in this home made liqueur. You don’t need to over spend on the vodka, a supermarkets own label will be fine.
Ingredients:
- 75cl bottle of vodka
- 300g blackberries
- 150g caster sugar
- 2 star anise
- 1 medium cinnamon stick
- 2 slices of lemon rind (about ¼ of a large lemon, rind removed with a veg peeler)
- 1 litre empty bottle – plastic or glass
Method:
- Make sure your litre bottle is clean and sterile – either clean with boiling water or use a campden tablet
- Give your blackberries a good wash in a colander and pick out any stalks etc
- Use a large necked funnel to put into your bottle and pour in the blackberries, then the sugar, vodka, spices and lemon peel.
- Screw the lid on the bottle, give it a good shake and place in the fridge.
- Shake every day for the first week and then now and again for up to 3 months.
- After a maximum of 3 months, sieve off the vodka from the ingredients and bottle. You can use the fruit for a fabulously fruity drunken blackberry fool, or a potent crumble.
The sun is shining, so, what more reason do you need to bring out the barbeques? Forget about piling your plate high with burnt offerings, add some spice and flavour to your life with a fabulous Ras-al Hanout spice mix.
Eating Out In Essex