This is my favourite part of Autumn, gathering berries for a decadently rich liqueur ready for the festive season.
The fruits that you use are of course optional. I like to add a few leaves, flowers and roots to mine too, but you can pick whatever works or is available for you.
Hedgerow Liqueur
1 cup blackberries
1 cup Rosehips
1 cup Elderberries
1 cup Hawthorn Berries
1 cup Sloes
Damsons
A handful of Mugwort leaves
A few sprigs of Meadowsweet
Wood Avens Roots
1 bottle Vodka/Brandy
2 cups sugar
Place the fruits, leaves, flowers and roots in a sealable glass jar, add a couple of cups of the vodka and muddle lightly to release juices, then add the remaining vodka. Seal and shake.
Let mixture steep for 3 days at room temperature away from direct sunlight. Strain through a fine mesh strainer, to extract the juice, then filter mixture through a coffee filter or clean tea towel to remove seeds. Discard solids.
Pour the liquid into a large saucepan and add the sugar. Bring to a gentle simmer on a medium heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Simmer for 8 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in the vodka or gin, and then leave to cool completely.
Pour into clean, preferably sterilised, bottles.
Store in cool, dark place. It can be enjoyed immediately, but will keep almost indefinitely if in sterilised bottles - if not, then about a year.
