This variation on a traditional bramble whisky makes the most of autumn hedgerow fruit – a unique and warming tipple to impress your guests on winter nights.
The Ultimate Bramble Whisky
Ed and I love the traditional flavours of sloe gin and bramble whisky as the nights draw in. In this bramble-plus recipe, we have used elements of both and added a optional extra of elderberries, making the most of the fruits of autumn walks. The result is a rich, complex, warming drink that we think is so much better than a plain blackberry whisky.
This recipe is not complicated but it does take time. The first stage is to find your fruit. Although you can vary the fruit, this recipe uses a combination of blackberries, elderberries and sloes.
However, they don’t all ripen at the same time and you want to use the fruit at its best, so I start the bramble whisky with elderberries (if using) and blackberries and leave plenty of room in the jar. I then add the sloes when they’re ripe.
Whatever combination you use, the ratio of fruit to sugar to whisky always stays the same. You need about 500 g fruit and 200 g sugar for 70 cl whisky. If you don’t expect to be able to find sloes, just use 500 g blackberries and elderberries, make a straight blackberry whisky or substitute other autumn fruit such as damsons.
I’ve had the most success with the majority of the fruit being blackberries and sloes, so be cautious when you experiment with the ratios.
Harvesting the Hedgerow
There is a tradition in parts of the British Isles that you shouldn’t gather blackberries after Michaelmas. Apparently the devil was cast down by St Michael into a prickly tangle of brambles, spat on the fruit and ruined it.
Blackberries were therefore no good after the feast of St Michael, which is celebrated on 29 September. It is true that you find more and more spoilt fruit later in the season, but in reality you need to pick your fruit when nature provides.
The blackberry harvest in the UK lasts throughout August and September and into October depending on local conditions and the type of bramble.
Peak blackberrying time varies with weather and exposure, so that sunny hedgerows may fruit at a different time from sheltered woodland plants. If you are lucky enough to have a garden cultivar, it may produce earlier or later than the wild bramble over the fence.
Elderberries are available at about the same time, from mid August into early October, so harvest your blackberries and elderberries together and use these to start your bramble whisky. Sloes can be gathered later in October and added to the mix. We’ve got some helpful hints and tips on harvesting sloes.
How to Make Bramble Whisky
Step one – Choose a mid price supermarket own label blend as the base for your bramble whisky (or whiskey!). To achieve the best results, you want neither cheap and nasty nor premium malt (which would be a waste).
Pick over your ripe elderberries and blackberries, discarding any fruit that is damaged or mushy. Remove all of the stalks from the elderberries (these contain compounds that can cause stomach upsets). If the fruit is dusty, quickly rinse it. Then spread it out on a clean cloth to dry.
Step two – Put the blackberries and elderberries (if using) in a wide-mouthed jar with two thirds of the sugar and whisky. (Don’t use a bottle at this stage, as you need to be able to easily add the fruit.) Give the jar a good swirl to help the sugar dissolve.
Step three – Put the jar somewhere handy and give it a daily shake to dissolve the sugar. Once the sugar has dissolved, put it in a cool dark cupboard. It will rapidly turn a deep wine red.
Step four – When you have your sloes, rinse them if necessary and add them to the jar with the rest of the whisky and sugar. Put the jar back in the cupboard and then leave it for at least three months.
Step five – Give your bramble whisky plenty of time to infuse; three months is the minimum but six months is better. When you can’t wait any longer, pour off the whisky through a jelly bag or clean muslin cloth in a sieve. Taste and add more sugar if needed.
Step six – Pour the strained whisky into a clean, sterilized bottle and seal it tight. You can drink the bramble whisky now, but it will be even better if you leave it to mature for a few months longer. However, it won’t last forever, so drink within a year or so of bottling.
Hints & Tips for Bramble Whisky
- You can strain the whisky with a coffee filter in order to get a clearer whisky. However, it takes more time. We find that a muslin cloth or jelly bag in a sieve works fine.
- Vary the fruit to make the most of what you have available. You could experiment with loganberries, damsons or plums. Similarly, you could use a different spirit, so if you don’t like whisky, try bramble brandy. If you change the recipe write it on a sticky label, and stick it on the bottle, so you remember what you did and can replicate the batch for another time.
- You could add some spice, such as a pinch of allspice, star anise, or some cinnamon for a real winter warmer. Go easy on them however, as a little goes a long way. Experiment with your favourites.
- Try adding orange or lemon peel for extra zing.
- Try adding a splash of blackberry whisky to fruit compotes or berry pies and crumbles.
- Don’t throw away the whisky-soaked fruit. Instead, try these ideas:
- Pick out the blackberries to serve with venison or game recipes, or use them in desserts, served with cream, in fruit puddings or over ice cream to make a grown up sundae.
- Use the soaked fruit to stuff a game bird.
- Cover the stained fruit in sherry to make a new infusion.
More homemade liqueurs and infusions
- Rhubarb and ginger gin – pretty pink and so so delicious.
- Sloe Gin – this British classic is so much better when homemade.
- Toffee Vodka – this popular flavoured vodka uses just two ingredients and is so easy to make at home.
- Christmas Gin – All the flavours of a Christmas pudding makes this infusion perfect for presents.
- Christmas Vodka – rich spiced vine fruits and ready in less than a week!
- Cranberry Gin – Jewel coloured cranberry and orange gin – perfect for Christmas sipping!
Bramble whisky
Ingredients
- 200 g blackberries
- 100 g elderberries ((optional))
- 200 g sloes
- 70 cl whisky
- 200 g sugar
Instructions
- Pick over the fruit and discard any that are damaged. If needed, rinse and gently pat dry.
- Put the fruit in a wide-mouthed 1.5 litre jar along with whisky and sugar.
- Add the fruit as it becomes ripe. It doesn't all have to go in at the same time, but if you are adding some later you need to reserve some of the whisky and sugar in proportion to add with the new fruit.
- If using elderberries discard the stalks, as they can cause tummy upsets.
- Shake daily until the sugar has dissolved. This will only take a week or so.
- Store the bramble whisky in a dark cupboard for at least three months (six is better).
- Using a sieve and muslin cloth, strain off the whisky from the fruit. Decant the bramble whisky into a clean dry bottle. If you can wait, leave it to mature for another three months.
Notes
- You can strain the whisky with a coffee filter in order to get a clearer whisky. However, it takes more time. We find that a muslin cloth or jelly bag in a sieve works fine.
- Vary the fruit to make the most of what you have available. You could experiment with loganberries, damsons or plums. Similarly, you could use a different spirit, so if you don’t like whisky, try bramble brandy. If you change the recipe write it on a stick label, and stick it on the bottle.
- You could add some spice, such as a pinch of allspice, for a real winter warmer. Go easy on them however, as a little goes a long way. Experiment with your favourites.
- Try adding orange or lemon peel for extra zing.
- Try adding a splash of blackberry whisky to fruit compotes or berry pies and crumbles.
- Don’t throw away the whisky-soaked fruit. Instead, try these ideas:
- Pick out the blackberries to serve with venison or game recipes, or use them in desserts, served with cream, in fruit puddings or over ice cream to make a grown up sundae.
- Use the soaked fruit to stuff a game bird.
- Soak leftover sloes in sherry to make a new infusion.
- This recipe is 3 WeightWatchers Smart Points
Rebecca Smith
This sounds like the perfect winter tipple! Might have to give making this a go myself – delicious!
Helen
It is the perfect winter evening tipple.
Terri
How fun to make your own whiskey-this would be a hit at our house!
Helen
It is so nice to use the natural berries to add the delicious flavours.
Safira
I love the addition of blackberries here. I have an abundance of them in my garden!
Helen
It is so much fun to go foraging for them, great to find them so handy.
Cindy Gordon
This is what I’ve been looking for! I’ve been collecting recipes for our Christmas Happy Hour! This is making the list!
Helen
It is such a good winter tipple.
Kristen
This was such a great recipe! I love trying new cocktails and this one was a hit!
Helen
This one takes time to infuse, but worth the wait.
Aimee Mars
I’ve never had bramble whiskey before, but I absolutely want to try it now! This is such a fun recipe and I love the story behind it.
Helen
It makes the perfect winter evening drink.
Heidy L. McCallum
I think this has to be the best recipe I have seen all day so far. I was surfing the web and Pinterest when I stumbled on your Bramble Whiskey recipe. I love this idea, I have never made anything like this so I’m a little nervous but your instructions look straightforward and easy to follow. I will let you know how this turns out!
Helen
Brilliant. You cannot go wrong, just follow the steps.
Rhian westbury
I’m not a huge fan of whisky myself, but this sounds like it would be right up my dads street x
Helen
I tend to find that adding the berries and the sugar makes it easier to drink if you’re not keen on the sharp taste of whisky.
Elizabeth Williams
Never tried bramble whisky before but it sounds delicious and perfect for winter nights. Will have to try it.
Helen
It is wonderful to sip on on cold winter evenings.
Sarah Bailey
Now this sounds like an absolutely incredible whisky to make and just perfect for those berries you can get at this time of year as well. I may have to try and make it for next time we have people over.
Helen
The best thing to do is to make it while you can get the berries, and leave it. It take a good three months.
WhatLauraLoves
Ooh I bet thats absolutely delish as a hot toddy on a cold winters night! xxx
Helen
It’s perfect for a winter tipple.
Emily J Neal
Oooh this looks amazing! I love whisky, I’ll have to try this out!
Helen
It is such a good drink.
Anosa
Not tried bramble whisky before and though I love a good dose every now and again, not tried this before.
Helen
It is definitely worth it, so good for winter evenings.
Louise
I don’t think I’ve ever tried whisky but I must admit, this sounds nice, especially for winter! x
Helen
Whisky itself can be a strong drink and to everyone’s taste. This changes the flavours and makes a much warmer, richer drink.
Rachael
This sounds lovely! It would make such a great Christmas gift and it’s a nice way to use foraged fruit.
Helen
It is the perfect kind of drink to make for gifting.
Lusia
I’m going to try the whiskey & berries, sounds delish! A bit confused as I read elderberries need to be cooked to make them safe but the recipe (and other ones I’ve seen elsewhere) appear to say put straight in uncooked? Any answer will be appreciated. Thanks
Helen
Raw elderberries are fine to eat. If you are worried strip as much of the stalks as you can, but I don’t worry as you really don’t get very much in each glass.