Damson Gin Recipe
Submitted by Nicola
This recipe originates from the 'Drinking with Dickens' book, written by Cedric Dickens (great great grandson of Charles!, which includes all the recipes of drinks mentioned in all of Dickens books. My grandfather was Cedric Dickens drinking partner in WWII, and the book was passed down to me.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb Damsons
- 1lb sugar
- 1 bottle of gin (750ml is you like it syrupy, 1 litre if you like less syrupy- both work ok).
Method:
- Prick damsons, put into a clean sterilised glass container that can be sealed. (Demi Johns are perfect)
- Add sugar and shake every day until the sugar is very pink.
- Add gin, shake and store in a dark place. Turn and swill fruit around once a day until sugar has dissolved then leave and shake occasionally.
- After 3 months, strain and bottle.
- Damsons usually ready in September which means gin is ready for bottling just before Christmas.
Top tips:
- Works well with Vodka or Bacardi also.
- Same recipe works well with sloeberries.
- Rather than pricking the damsons, freeze them and when you take them out of the freezer, they split naturally.
When fruit has been used, de-stone and dry on a low heat for a few hours in the oven. The fruit can be used for fruit cakes or christmas pudding (it really does make such a difference using the damsons!)
Filed under All Recipes, Damsons, Fruit, Members Recipes by
Comments on Damson Gin Recipe »
melanie @ 9:56 am
My grandma used to make this years ago, coming up to September now so should be able to get some damsons soon. Cant wait to make this myself and see if it as good as I remember!!
Leone Evrenos @ 5:40 pm
Hi,
I have access to Sloes, can i substitute them in this recipe?
Leone.
Val @ 8:37 pm
Can't see why not!
jan @ 4:58 pm
we have a damson tree in our back garden, it is full of fruit this year. can't wait to have a go at this.could be a very merry merry christmas if its ready in time!
Sharon @ 9:47 am
This sounds lovely! Made the damson jam from here last night and is such a gorgeous colour! Does the gin go the same colour too? Thanks Val for your lovely recipies I am going to get your book! x
Geraldine @ 12:21 pm
How big a jar is required for the recipe? We have a 1.5 litre jar and worry it's too small
Nikki @ 9:20 pm
I think you would struggle with a small jar. I usually do it a demi john- much easier. You do need room to swish it all around.
Mine goes a lovely deep plum colour- I leave the damsons to steep in the sugar until its all really pink and oozy. Vigourous shaking at the sugar stage will ensure the colour infuses. Friends have followed the recipe, but weren't as vigorous with shaking, didn't prick all of the damsons and couldn't wait until christmas to bottle! So it was a light pink clear colour- very nice still, less sweet and thinner in consistency.
And yes sloes do work well- not so sweet. But if the end result is too sweet or syrupy- just add more alcohol to thin it out and suit to taste!!
Sharon @ 12:41 pm
Well I have the vodka ready to go but I am struggling to find a bottle to do it in. Wilkos have a 5 litre Demi john, but as stupid as it sounds I can't work out what is used as a lid/plug. I have looked in 2 different stores and I come away pretty clueless – Please help! thanks
Sarah @ 8:37 pm
If you can't find demi-johns I use sweet jars available from the traditional sweet shops usually free. Also, when you decant the damsons they make a delicious adults pudding when coated with melted chocolate or eat with chocolate mousse for a dinner party. We also use these chocolate covered damsons for little boozy presents at Christmas which go down very well!
Sarah @ 8:38 pm
Go to Boots chemists and you can buy large demijohn corks in the wine and beer making section.
Tractorfactorsteve @ 9:02 pm
Think I'll try my big bag full of mirabelles from the freezer..anything to avoid having to take the stones out of the darned things!
Sharon @ 2:47 pm
Can you use a plastic bottle? I'm just eyeing up a nearly empty 3ltr squash bottle that looks like it could be very handy!
cookingkate @ 3:37 pm
My Damson vodka has developed some, what appears to be, mould on the surface of the liquid. My mother in law thinks that this is yeast, present in the damsons. Is she right? Do you think its safe to drink? I followed the recipe to the letter.
Thanks
Cerri Gallagher @ 4:28 pm
I am just about to bottle my gin – I got great bottles with an old fashioned stopper cheap from Jam Jar Shop – they are an unusual shape for presents and if they hand them back I'll fill them next year! Can't wait to try it.
Nick @ 8:58 pm
The damson vodka has looked fantastic, and has been dutifully poured into presentation bottles for Xmas presents – we're feeling very pleased with ourselves!
I'd now like to try making chocolates with the left-over damsons, but removing the stones seems nigh-on impossible. All I'm left with is a squidgy mess. Any tips for removing the stones in a way that doesn't destroy the fruit? (I was going to put marzipan in the hole left by the stone before dipping in chocolate).