Raspberry gin recipe
Posted by Fiona Nevile in Liqueurs | 246 comments
Autumn raspberries are a late fruiting variety with great flavour
This recipe can also be used for blackberry gin and vodka
Our autumn fruiting raspberries are late, but they’re finally here. Just a few of them. Succulent and tempting and the promise of more to follow. If you grow autumn fruiting raspberries you might like to have a go at making this delicious raspberry gin. The liqueur is delicate yet has a fresh raspberry bite that makes a change from the raunchiness of sloe gin. (This is a fresh review. I nipped out to the barn this evening to try some of our July 2006 vintage and it was superb. Fragrant and tasty). At it’s best, raspberry gin totally overshadows sloe gin. We had a tasting of a wide selection of our fruit gin at a dinner party, a few months ago. The clear winner was the raspberry gin.
You can make raspberry vodka using the same method detailed below for gin with similar ingredients, just a little more sugar. We’ve tried both and think that the gin wins hands down. Both are quite drinkable in three months so would be ready for Christmas. I love a dash of this in a fresh fruit salad.We had to buy the raspberries for our gin this summer but the end result will be well worth the outlay. In July we feasted off our early raspberries. We guzzled large bowls of them, sprinkled with castor sugar and had heated discussions as to how to use the rest of the fruit. Unfortunately, I had not secured the netting tightly enough and when I went out with my trug a couple of days later the canes were bare. Raspberries are my favourite fruit and raspberry gin is the biz. It always puts people in the best of moods. People have said the most complimentary things about us after a glass or three of our raspberry gin.
Tips and tricks for making fruit infused gin/vodka:
- If you are using the original gin bottles and you find that you don’t have quite enough gin to fill each one to the neck, don’t worry. We often do the final fill up the next day when we have got more gin.
- Make notes on a label of your fruit/gin/sugar ratio and stick it onto the bottle(s) so that you have a record, if you make a particularly good batch. The best labels are made from decorator’s masking tape as these can be peeled off and passed from bottle to bottle. We also note our responses at the grog matures. Yucky after sixth months can be to die for in a year (you will probably not remember without notes). Notes seem boring when you are making the grog. But they are so worthwhile when you start again the next year. It won’t be long before you will get a feel of what works well for your taste (and the notes will come into their own).
- Make more than you need the first year. So you can compare different vintages. This liqueur does improve over time.
- Some people drain the grog through muslin after a couple of months, to clarify the liqueur and bottle. We don’t bother as one old soak tipped that, once the gin is drunk, you can pour medium sherry on the fruit and start all over again! The latter is devilish and drinkable within three months.
- Keep your fruit gin away from the light as this will maintain the colour. Unless the bottle is dark green or brown. If you are stuck with clear bottles, wrap them in brown paper to keep out the light.
- Every couple of months take a tiny sip. At this time a add sugar if it tastes too sharp.
- If you want to make your own labels check out the post for 26 October 2006 to see how we make our labels.
| Raspberry gin recipe |
- Recipe for raspberry gin:
- 300g of raspberries
- 330g of white granulated sugar
- 1.5 litres (or more) of medium quality gin
- Steriiised 2 litre Le Parfait jar or 2 or 3 (70 cl) washed and sterilised gin bottles
- Wash raspberries and discard any bruised fruit. Place rasberries in either a large 2 litre Kilner/Le Parfait jar or divide the raspberries between 2 or 3 (70 cl) saved gin bottles.
- Using a funnel, add the sugar (divide the amounts if using several bottles) and top up with gin to the rim.
- Shake every day until the sugar is dissolved and then store in a cool, dark place until you can resist it no longer (leave for at least three months, we usually let it mature for a year).
- If you are making blackberry gin remove the fruit after 3 months (pour through muslin) to stop the woody taste developing and mature for at least a year.
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What can I do with the fruit after I’ve strained it?
I’ve used it in trifles, and other fruit deserts – or use in a cocktail made from the gin/vodka. I usually freeze the fruit until I want to use it!
Smother it with 90% cocoa melted chocolate. Absolutely delicious. Not very easy to cut up so you can’t really give it away – you’ll just have to eat it!
Brilliant. Can’t wait to chomp 🙂
I’ve made a few different flavours using the same basic recipe. I’ve made pomegranate gin, strawberry gin, blackberry gin, and blueberry gin. All are yummy. Also made cherry vodka which is amazing
Can I use frozen raspberries ?
Yes! I use frozen fruits of the forest as well – delicious!!
Yes you can. I always use shop bought frozen fruit. If you’re gonna use fresh fruit, wash and freeze them first.
I made 5ltrs for my son’s wedding. I’ve been making it since I found this recipe. It’s my favourite as raspberries are available all year round unlike damsons and sloes…. it looks beautiful as I decanted it into tiny favour bottles decorated with lace… there wasnt a drop left ?
Just finished my first attempt at raspberry gin, will not be my last. Also made raspberry vodka, yet to taste that. Thank you.
Good People.
I have the gin in for my raspberry gin for Xmas 2017
BUT would I get a similar result if I bought a bottle of Ribena and flavoured the Alcohol with it?
Do I need to sweeten the mix as I would with my raspberry mix?
Ive searched for a Ribena Gin Recipe without success. Any help will be gratefully received. x
Hi! I would like to know if the sugar is necessary? Is it possible to infuse the gin with no sugar and only fruit? Thanks!
Yes indeed. Sugar is merely an additional flavouring to provide sweetness that we like.
could you make using brambles ? thanks
I have done, but don’t leave the blackberries inover the required time as they can make the gin taste woody.
Do u have to strain rasp before putting in bottles
No you don’t need to strain the raspberries. Just pop them in.
I would love to try and make this for a Wedding in February 2018 ( now almost September 2017) will it be OK by then? And can I make it in Kilner bottles the transfer to nice looking Gin bottles later…when I’ve finished the Gin!
Thanks for your help
Yes to both questions, Debbie. 3 months is really the minimum required to impart a nice flavour, and decanting into prettier bottles is not a problem.