This is a nice project that will pay off around the holidays.
Four cups of nice, plump blackberries washed and patted dry
Three cups of organic cane sugar (of course you can use every day white sugar; I had to use both, because I ran out of Organic)
Four cups of top shelf Vodka
A gallon size glass jar
Wax paper
Fitted lid (canning jar lids with rings work just fine, as long as they fit snug WITH a layer of wax paper covering the top of the jar first)
A funnel
Make sure your gallon size glass jar is clean, your berries are washed and that you have a cool/dark place to keep your concoction for the next several weeks.
- Using your funnel, put your sugar into your glass jar
- Add your berries next (just let them fall in, don't shake them down, or stir, etc)
- Next carefully add your Vodka
- Take a decent size square of wax paper and place over the opening of your jar
- Now secure your lid/lid and ring tightly (tight enough that if you turn the jar upside down it will not leak)
- Place this in a cool/dark place of your kitchen or pantry and mark your calender that you started this project today
Every day you are going to turn the jar upside down/right side up for the next four weeks.
Around four weeks time, you will start to see that the sugar has completely dissolved.
At four weeks, sterilize some pretty pint sized jars (or any vintage jars, glass bottles, etc) as long as you have proper lids for them
Using several layers of cheesecloth or a jelly bag; carefully start to strain off your concoction into a clean glass juice pitcher or an old glass milk jug, etc. (I prefer to always use glass vs. plastics).
You will need to change the cheesecloth or clean out your jelly bag a few times; you are trying to capture as much of the liquid as possible.
When the concoction is completely strained off; fill your jars/bottles and cap off. It's probably best if you keep them in the bottom shelf of your refrigerator. (*keeps for one year)
Make some special labels to explain your homemade gift and enjoy sharing this treat around the holidays.
*Sour cherries and Currants also make a nice liqueur
Enjoy your Sunday!