Happy New Year to everyone and thanks for all the kind messages in my guestbook!! Am back from Xmas ...
Happy New Year to everyone and thanks for all the kind messages in my guestbook!! Am back from Xmas now and back to r/r/c-ing and writing.
Member since:17.08.2006
Recipes:43
Members who trust:67
---Introduction---
Earlier today I posted a recipe for a jelly made from Rowan berries and apple and this reminded me of another Rowan recipe which I wanted share. Contrary to what many think, Rowan berries are not at all poisonous and indeed can be used to make a variety of preserves, wines, liqueurs etc. Rowan is the red berried fruits of the Sorbus genus, and most people are famililar with these small trees which seem to grow everywhere these days. From August onwards they are adorned with clusters of bright red/orange berries, and as so few people use them you can easily gather them from the wild if you don't already have a rowan tree in your garden. They are a great favourite with birds however, so don't leave off your gathering for too long. For most purposes they are best gathered when fully coloured and firm, before they go mushy. Leaving then until the first frost is also a good idea as frost gives them a milder, sweeter flavour. However, you can also just freeze them for a day or two which serves the same purpose. This recipe is for a Rowan liqueur and although fast to make it needs a few months to infuse and mature.
---Ingredients---
0.5 litres Rowan berries 0.5 litres spirit (brandy, vodka or gin) sugar syrup to taste
To make this drink, pick and wash the berries and place in the freezer for at least a couple of days. When you want to make the drink, put the berries in a glass dish or bottle and put in the oven at 140C for about 30 minutes. Remove them from the oven and pour the spirit over the berries. Allow to cool and seal the container/bottle. Store the mixture for at least 3 months in a cool dark place, then strain/filter and add sugar syrup to the drink until is has a sweetness level you like. If you taste it without sugar first you will realise that it requires quite a lot of syrup to get it up to a pleasant level; you could also try experimenting and using liquid honey instead which will also impart a slight flavour of its own.
This drink will keep almost indefinitely and will soften and mature if stored for a long period (e.g. a year) before drinking. The resulting drink will either be red (if you use vodka or gin) or deep red/brown if you use brandy (I actually prefer the brandy version). Serve as an unusual liqueur to warm people up on a cold winter's night.
---Summary---
This is a cheap, easy to make liqueur and if made now (September) will be ready to drink at Christmas. Be warned though: it is something of an acquired taste and the bitter edge may not appeal to everyone. If you like the bitterness in grapefruit or tonic water though then you should enjoy this.
Pictures of Recipes for Drinks
Rowan tree with Autumn tints
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Never heard of Rowan berries before. I do like the sharp taste od grapefruit though so maybe i would like this... xx
ultrafrosty 20.09.2006 19:28
Excellent idea, there! I've never tried making my own booze! Have an 'E' on me... That might not be your Christmas liqueur but ought to warm you up a little in the meantime! D.
Sep 2nd, 2006
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