Adventures in Foraging: Strawberry Vodka

Things have been busy at our little allotment lately, we have been blessed with basket after basket of delicious strawberries. Strawberries are epitome of summer fruit, right? But now they're starting to wind down, the fruit aren't as lovely as they were at the start of the season. But all is not lost!! You can still use those fruit for something wonderful! I would heartily suggest using them up by making Strawberry Vodka....

My recipe is wonderfully simple. Once you've picked your remaining fruit, check it and slice it in half. Discard any bruised or bad fruit. Place your berries into a clean, sterilised bottle or jar. Add sugar. If you like a sweet drink, add lots, if you prefer a sharper tipple then add less. I'd recommend erring on the side of caution, but this stage it really doesn't matter about specific quantities as you will taste your drink at a later stage and can always add more if you feel it necessary. As a guide I tend to half fill my jar with strawberries, then add sugar until its just under 3/4's full. Then pour in your vodka, until your bottle or jar is completely full. Vodka quality is not important, you can quite use a cheapy version (I'd recommend Aldi's own brand) as the finished product barely even tastes of vodka, just delicious strawberries. Finally give your bottle a good shake. 

Then store your fruity brew away in the back of a cool dark cupboard. If the glass is clear you may like to cover it as this helps keeps the colour nice and bright. Give it a swish every so often just to muddle it up a bit. Taste it and add more sugar if you feel it necessary.  

When it goes into your cupboard it should look a little something like this:

The very hardest part of this recipe is that you have to store your vodka away without drinking it for (at the very least) one month, but if you can bare to leave it for three or even six months all the better!

When it's ready, strain your mixture removing the fruit. Then put it through a muslin or coffee filter to remove any little bits, seeds it pips. This makes sure it's nice and clear.

Don't leave your fruit in the mixture for more than six months as it will spoil. It's quite natural for the alcohol to leach the colour from the fruit. Indeed, this is a very good sign!!

This drink is delicious on its own, as a base for cocktails and particularly in a hip flask for sharing with friends! It also makes a lovely gift if decanted into a pretty little bottle.

It's utterly delicious and so simple! I love strawberries and I love vodka. Mixing the two is pretty much my idea of heaven! So what are you waiting for?!! Give it a try! 

P.S I will be sure to post some pictures if the finished product in a few months time...