Making fruit vodka and fruit gin, please help

rufydoofyM2

Hi all,
I managed to get a fair bit of waitrose grain vodka and gin half price recently and also some frozen blueberries and mixed berries. I invested in some kilner jars and bought some fresh organic plums and damsons and away I went. Washing and pricking the fruit and filling the cleaned jars. Previously I have made sloe gin, but because of the bargain frozen blueberries and frozen bag of mixed summer fruit I had I it seemed like a good idea to utilise these with bargain vodka and gin. I checked the quantities fruit/sugar/alchohol etc. The smaller plums I put in whole and filled the 2ltr jar to about an inch and a half from the top (Ran out of vodka ). The larger plums I cut in half and filled a 2ltr jar about and inch from the top. The plums in each jar floated and have turned brown as I have turned the jars the other plums that have floated have done the same. I bought more gin and vodka and topped the jars up.

Do you think this will be ok or should I discard it all as a number of plums have gone brown and look like they have gone off ? I don't want to keep it if it's going to make us ill, but equally don't want to waste over 2ltrs of vodka and gin.

Second question is, has anyone used frozen supermarket berries instead of fresh ? The summer fruits were a mix of blackberries, red currants, black currants and raspberries in equal proportions and in separate 1ltr jars blueberries.  

Help and advice welcome, thank you.

Nargleblast

I have taken those mixed fruits packs and separated out the different fruits. Bit of a faff, but I can confirm that redcurrant vodka using frozen redcurrants was very successful.

I think plums would go brown anyway, they certainly do in my Rumtoof, so whilst they don't look pretty the finished liquor should be drinkable. It's when you see them starting to wear green fur coats you know you have a problem.

VeganLois

As Nargleblast says, the damsons naturally go brown.  I make damson vodka every year and it’s fine.  You won’t die 😉.  I picked a heap of blackberries but didn’t have time to make my blackberry Jack Daniels so froze them.  It has now been made and decanted and tastes great.  I also used frozen cherries for my blackberry and cherry brandy which has worked out well.  No virus is going to take me down without a fight 😊.  The fruits are also very successful afterwards in trifles or mixed with dark chocolate to make an alcoholic bark.  You have to stick it in the freezer first otherwise it will not set due to the high alcohol content.  Enjoy!

threepenny_bit

VeganLois said:

 I picked a heap of blackberries but didn’t have time to make my blackberry Jack Daniels so froze them.  It has now been made and decanted and tastes great.  I also used frozen cherries for my blackberry and cherry brandy which has worked out well.  

These sound great! Must get a wriggle on and start to make some Christmas alcohol soon, I have a big bag of frozen cherries so that may be my first job! Thanks VeganLois

VeganLois

Crab apple gin is next on the list.  Sloe is so last year 😊.  In my microbrewery under the sink, I also have lemon vodka on the go.  I suspect I will be unconscious for most of the winter 😷

goldfinches

VeganLois said:

Crab apple gin is next on the list.  Sloe is so last year 😊.  In my microbrewery under the sink, I also have lemon vodka on the go.  I suspect I will be unconscious for most of the winter 😷

I think that sounds like everyone's kind of winter, when can the rest of us move into your bubble?
Seriously it sounds delicious and you've certainly inspired me to go beyond my blackberry liqueur so cheers from the Thames Valley and bottoms up all round, goldfinches.   

VeganLois

Goldfinches, you are most welcome into my hazy bubble.  I have just finished a batch of elderberry syrup which is great in mulled wine.  I know I sound like I have a problem but I do actually gift a fair amount.  I have also just picked the new growth of nettles which can be blanched and frozen.  Can be used like spinach.  Not sure in booze tho 😀.  So here in deepest Warwickshire, it’s all go 🍷

victoriajj

You could try nettle gin
https://www.amazon.co.uk/JJ-Whitley-Nettle-Gin-70cl/dp/B06XVQFVS4

VeganLois

Thank you victoriajj.  Heaven knows how you stop it turning green but I have never heard of that.  You have set me a challenge 😉

goldfinches

I could imagine a pale green liqueur being very attractive in a tall glass with ice and soda water so maybe don't worry about the colour and concentrate on the flavour? 

rufydoofyM2

Thanks Nargleblast and VeganLois for the reassurance. The plums and Gin and the plums and Vodka are both  contain over a litre of spirit so I'm relieved it will be ok. The blueberry ones are both looking good and the damson too. The colour is so deep I can't see if the Damsons have gone brown. I'm hoping to come by some sloes as I still have several bottles of gin and vodka left, but may try a blackberry or cherry instead. 
I've only made sloe gin in the past and not for years because of the cost, but when Ocado and Waitrose parted company a lot of spirits and wine were half price in their flash sale section, as were frozen blueberries. I took advantage as it coincided with pay day and have tried to stash as much away for Christmas as possible, but the wine seems to be going down a bit ! Felt a bit embarrassed as the delivery guy bought the bags to the door in several trips clinking and clunking.

Has anyone made a spiced apple vodka or gin if so please share you recipe. Thanks