This recipe creates a delicious blackberry liqueur, also known as Crème de Mure, perfect for sipping on its own or using in cocktails. Here’s a comprehensive guide with full instructions:
Ingredients:
- 5 cups (700g) blackberries, fresh and ripe
- 1 bottle (750ml) red wine, medium-bodied
- 1.5 cups (300g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (120ml) vodka or gin (optional, for a higher alcohol content)
Instructions:
- Prep the Berries: Wash the blackberries thoroughly under running water. Gently remove any stems or leaves.
- Maceration: In a large, non-reactive bowl (glass or ceramic is ideal), combine the blackberries and red wine. Using a potato masher, gently mash the berries to release their juices and fragrance. Cover the bowl with a clean cloth and let it sit in a cool, dark place for 48 hours.
- Tip: During the maceration, stir or mash the berries occasionally to help extract more flavor.
- Straining: After 48 hours, strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the larger blackberry pulp. To ensure a smoother liqueur, strain again using cheesecloth placed over a separate bowl.
- Sugar Syrup: In a saucepan, combine the strained blackberry liquid and sugar. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar dissolves completely.
- Simmering: Once the sugar dissolves, bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it simmer for 8 minutes, removing any foam that accumulates on the surface.
- Adding Alcohol (Optional): If you prefer a stronger liqueur, remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vodka or gin.
- Bottling: Let the liqueur cool completely. Pour it into sterilized bottles or jars. Seal the containers tightly.
- Aging: Store the bottled liqueur in a cool, dark place for at least two weeks, although for a richer flavor, allow it to age for up to two months. The longer it ages, the deeper the blackberry flavor will become.
- Enjoy: Once aged, your homemade Crème de Mure is ready to enjoy! Sip it neat over ice, use it in cocktails, or even drizzle it over desserts.
- Storage: Store your homemade liqueur in the refrigerator for up to six months.
Tips:
- For a sweeter liqueur, adjust the amount of sugar to your taste.
- Use high-quality, ripe blackberries for the best flavor.
- Sterilize your jars or bottles before filling them to prevent spoilage.
- If you don’t have cheesecloth, you can use several layers of coffee filters for the second straining.
Enjoy your delicious homemade Blackberry Liqueur!
