It's time for Group B's Secret Recipe Club September reveal. This month I was assigned to Rachel Cotterill's blog. Rachel, in addition to being a profilic food blogger, is also a freelance writer and photographer and a computational linguistics PhD student. I'll admit it: I had to look up a few of her hobbies - coppicing and rope-splicing, for instance. She juggles, she knits, and she flings arrows! She is currently studying Turkish and Spanish and she's penned two fantasy novels. Color me impressed, Rachel.
I have always enjoyed the evergreen-y notes of a good gin. And when I saw Rachel's Cranberry Gin, it just screamed 'holidays' to me.
Think cranberry garlands draped over pine branches! So, I went with it, but this batch will likely not make it all the way to the holidays. I'm thinking as a take-away for our annual Halloween party. Bloody Ghoulish Gin or something like that.
A quick note: it does matter what kind of gin you use. Make sure you use a good quality spirit. I really like Hendrick's Gin. In addition to the traditional juniper infusion, Hendrick's also uses Bulgarian Damask rose and cucumber. It's really delicious on its own, but it was magnificent in this!
Ingredients
- 800 ml gin
- 3 C fresh cranberries
- peels from 3 fresh clementines
Procedures
Pierce the cranberries with a skewer. And peel the clementine in a long strip, if possible.
Fill an empty bottle with the cranberries and clementine peel. Pour the gin into the bottle until everything is completely submerged.
Store in a cool spot, gently agitating the bottle once or twice a day.
After a week, the gin was already a light shade of red. After a month, it was downright gorgeous...and delicious. I strained and rebottled into small bottles for gifts.
I love this Cranberry Clementine Gin!! My husband LOVES gin. I think this will be a must make for us at the holidays!! GREAT post!!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely! This is amazing.
DeleteHi Camilla,
ReplyDeleteI had your blog this month and had so much fun looking through all your fabulous recipes and adventures.
Your Cranberry Clementine Gin is a great choice for the holidays and the SRC!
Thanks for being a great team leader for our Group B!
Miz Helen
Thank YOU for your post...and for reminding me about those shortbreads. I'll definitely have to make a batch soon.
DeleteWhat a perfect beverage to use as a hostess gift for the holidays - I'm bouncing with excitement over this idea.
ReplyDeleteMe, too! I have to make another batch, though, because this one is half gone!
DeleteOh wow, that is some gorgeous gin. Perfect for gift giving!
ReplyDeleteOr for yourself. ;) No, you're right. It IS perfect for gift giving.
DeleteI gotta try this one. You just gave me an excuse to go buy those cute bottles at Wallyworld with the stoppers. And now I have some hostess presents I can make for the holidays. Just have to wait til we get fresh cranberries in our markets here. Great choice for SRC.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the bottles. My husband did ask: "You're giving those away, right?" Because my cabinets are full of cute jars and bottles.
DeleteUmmm... yum. And wow. This would make an awesome Christmas/hostess gift. I love it.
ReplyDeleteI agree. But I need to make bigger batches!
DeleteThese would make a great holiday gifts! I'm not a fan of gin but I bet my husband would love it. Great SRC choice!
ReplyDeleteYou don't like gin? I bet you could do this the vodka, too.
DeleteI can't partake until after the baby comes, but my husband loves gin and this would be perfect for his holiday cocktails!
ReplyDeleteWill the baby be here by the holidays? You can celebrate for two reasons!
DeleteYou've officially brought in the holidays this year Camilla. I love the sound of it. I was wondering if the steeped fruit could be put to some good use!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Trisha! I bet you could. I was in a rush to post, so I didn't keep the fruit. What a waste, right?
DeleteWhat a fun recipe! I have never seen a make your own gin recipe. Gin is not my fave but I am passing this link on to my daughter who loves gin. I like the Halloween idea!
ReplyDeleteFantastic. Let me know if she tries it!
DeleteI don't drink gin, but it looks absolutely beautiful (and festive) with those cranberries!
ReplyDeleteIt is a beautiful color. I could just stare at it...well, and then drink it! ;)
DeleteLoving this recipe... and what a beautiful color! I've only recently gained a liking to gin, and I'm excited to try this option this holiday season, especially!
ReplyDeleteThanks. I just became a gin fan myself about a year ago.
DeleteThis is definitely a festive holiday hostess gift if ever I saw one!
ReplyDeleteI agree. I think I'll tie the label with a green rafia and call it good!
DeleteWhat a fabulous gift idea!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you liked it! I'm thinking I need to get my hands on some sloes this year, and maybe damsons. Always fun to experiment with different flavours :-)
ReplyDeleteOkay, Rachel, what's a damson?? I guess I need to look that up!
Delete