Blackberry vodka recipe, anyone? If you’re out foraging blackberries soon, why not use them to brew this delicious Blackberry Flavoured Vodka. It’s so easy, and so tasty and would make a gorgeous homemade Christmas gift!
Remember how I recently told you about my adorable friend Kate and her freshly published Veggie Desserts cookbook?
Well today I’m bringing you this blackberry vodka recipe courtesy of another beautiful cookbook, written by another beautiful friend!
At this rate I’m going to have to get a dedicated bookshelf just to hold the work of all my blogging buddies!
Today we are focusing on the work of Ren Behan. Not only does she write a beautifully styled blog, but she has also written plenty of recipes for the one and only Jamie Oliver too.
Wild Honey & Rye: A Cookbook by Ren Behan
Ren comes from Polish descent, and her book is a tribute to her food heritage. Wild Honey & Rye is chock full of traditional Polish recipes with a modern twist. The food is full of fun and the book is interlaced with engaging family tales and of course, sumptuous photography.
Please take the time to read Ren’s story on bringing her cookbook dream to life here. And you can find yourself a copy on Amazon here: Wild Honey and Rye – Modern Polish Recipes (affiliate link).
For anyone with a love of Polish food, or a desire to connect with their Polish roots, this book would make the most perfect gift.
I was flipping through to find a recipe to make and share with you today, and I stumbled over the recipe for blackberry flavoured vodka.
Funnily enough, this recipe has been on my to-do list since mid summer, when I first saw the blackberries ripening down here in Cornwall! Seems this was blackberry flavoured fate :)
I’ve made this blackberry vodka recipe on a BIG scale as a) it is a fantastic year for blackberries, and b) I’m making this in advance as Christmas gifts for friends and family this year.
Blackberry infused vodka
Wild blackberry picking for me conjures up memories of childhood days scouring the hedgerows. Getting that special feeling when you find a big group of berries that haven’t yet been found by anyone else. Attempting not to ‘try them all out’. Saving some for later to make homemade blackberry and apple crumble or pie.
Oh and if those dishes make you want to go and bake, I did a little mash up and combined the two right here in my Blackberry and Apple Crumble Pie recipe.
It goes without saying that blackberry vodka was never on the menu back in my childhood days. I am ALL over this recipe now! ;)
If you’ve been lucky enough to find yourself a big haul of blackberries, I can think of few better ways to to use them all up and preserve them, by popping them into alcohol!
And if you haven’t found any yet, go see what you can forage! The wild blackberry season usually starts late summer ALL the way through to the end of October.
This blackberry infused vodka couldn’t be simpler to make.
If you give this recipe a go (and you manage not to break into the stash in the meantime) please join me in raising a glass to Ren on Christmas day :)
- 1 kg blackberries
- 250 g granulated sugar
- 1 bottle (70cl) good quality vodka
Wash the blackberries and place them in a sterilised 1.5 litre preserving jar.
Add the sugar and lightly crush the berries with the sugar.
Pour over the vodka, seal the jar and shake. Leave to infuse in a cool place for 2-4 weeks.
Strain the vodka into a sterilised bottle.
Serve your delicious blackberry vodka chilled, preferably from the freezer.
Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes says
I know so little about Polish cooking, it would be fun to flip through the pages of this book. Love the idea of making this as a holiday gift!
Jane Sarchet says
Me neither Katie, and I love finding out more about different cuisines :)
Jane x
Heidi Roberts says
That looks great. I often have a couple of bottles of blackberry gin on the go!!
Jagruti says
Brewing your own blackberry flavoured vodka is just amazing, I enjoyed reading your post so much, thanks for sharing your method.
sue | theviewfromgreatisland says
Wow, this is spectacular ~ I can’t believe the scale of those jugs of berry-licious vodka ~ this is a must try!
Calleigh Keibler - TheForkBite says
We have picked lots of blackberries and been trolling the internet to scour some recipes. Now, I found your post, so I guess we’ll be tackling this later. Thanks for the recipe.
Jane Sarchet says
Perfect! I think you;re gonna love it Calleigh!
Jane x
Janice @FarmersgirlCook says
All round to your house for a party when this is ready! Such a gorgeous looking recipe and such a great book.
choclette says
Oh wow, those photographs have me wanting to dash outside and pick blackberries immediately – just gorgeous. I’ve not made anything blackberry at all this year which is really quite shocking. Loving Ren’s book too.
Food Ren (@RenBehan) says
Jane this post is so lovely! I love that you made Blackberry Vodka and I’m sure it will prove to be a most useful tipple during the autumn months. Beautiful photographs, too – I’m in love!
Jane Sarchet says
Ahhh, thanks Ren! It’s one I’ve been meaning to make ever since making cassis last year – I just knew the blackberries would give a darn good flavour too :)
Congrats again on your successful publication day Ren, you deserve to be very proud <3
Caroline says
I have been making this liqueur for over 40 years and can assure you there is absolutely no need to use a good quality vodka, the cheapest brand will make just as good drink. In fact it would be a complete waste of money to use a ‘good’ brand. The same can be said for making gin based liqueurs.
Jane Sarchet says
Thank you Caroline, that is music to my ears!
Jane x
Bo says
How long can the blackberry vodka be stored?
Jane Sarchet says
It’ll taste as good as new for a full year, but I do find that if you leave it for much longer it starts to taste a little stale.
It’ll never go off or mouldy due to the alcohol & sugar content, but best to use it up before next blackberry season.
Janie x
Jannie says
I’ve also been making this recipe since the late 1960’s (although, back in the day, I used lbs instead of kg) and agree with Caroline that any cheap vodka will do. It also works with cheap white rum – I’ve not tried it with other white spirits but guess they would also work.
My French neighbours introduced me to another recipe.
Leave the infused berries 6 – 8 weeks then strain overnight to extract as much liquid as possible. Next cover the berries in brandy. Test for sweetness and add more sugar if required. Leave another 6 – 8 weeks then strain overnight. Makes it almost like a liqueur.
Jane Sarchet says
That’s so interesting Jannie, thanks so much for sharing!
Janie x
stev says
Collect the blackberries after You have strained off the liquid, place then into an icecube tray, cover them with melted chocolate and put them in the freezer, serve as a dessert with either double cream or Creme Fraiche
Jane Sarchet says
Oooh, tasty idea!
Jane x
Nathan Busby says
I’ve just finished making my blackberry vodka using this recipe – so thank you! I wondered whether there was any use for the vodka soaked blackberries after the straining, seems a shame to waste the fruit!
Jane Sarchet says
Hey Nathan, great job! My Mum loves them, I think she has them with ice cream!!!
Andrew Linch says
Hi Jane
great recipe I know have 2 litres of great tasting blackberry vodka for Christmas, I am also going to use the vodka soaked berrys to make hand made chocolates, thanks
Jane Sarchet says
Andrew, that’s fantastic news! Would love to know how you get on with the boozy chocolates, they sound lush!
Jane x
Jennifer Prince says
Yes! How did that work out? I’m wondering what to do with the berries after the vodka is made. I mean, who would want to waste vodka soaked blackberries, right??
Jennifer Prince says
I found you via YouTube and just made this (although in a very small quantity). I’m so excited about how easy it was, and I can’t wait to test the results in a few weeks!! I gave you a follow on YouTube, too. Can’t wait to check out more videos!
Jane Sarchet says
Hey, welcome from YouTube! Do let me know how you enjoy it :)
Jane x
mobasir hassan says
Truly appreciate the way you made this Vodka recipe. Everything is so nicely described that really helped me.