Damson Gin Recipe

Hi

Do you need to de-stone the damsons first. Also, same question for freezing. Thanks

If using fresh damson fruit I've been advised to prick their skins otherwise the stone inside can develop toxins!?? Do you know if this is true?
Also I guess it will help impart their flavour,if using fruit that has been frozen this bursts their skin anyway

Hi, no you don't need to stone them, and apparently if you want to consume the fruit after removing the liquor, the stones will pop out quite readily when squeezed gently.

No, No need to de-stone, that's the beauty of this recipe

Interesting! Have never heard of the toxin issue. You can fork the skins which allows the juice to escape more easily, and of course helps to prevent the fruit from splitting if the oven is a bit too high.I always wondered if the mould that sometimes occurs is just a seasonal thing relating to that batch of fruit, but once its spooned off it tends not to re grow, and there's no mustiness in the remaining fruit, so we carry on eating it….

yes they can produce toxins as they can get mouldy during the firmenting process if they aren't pierced or cut this is info from my husband who's mum has been making it for a very long time!

Just made my first bottle – roll on winter !!!

Can anyone tell me me – can you use Vodka instead of Gin/Brandy and what quantities of sweet damsons to spirit/sugar are recommened?
Margaret

I've have used the recipe above with gin,vodka and brandy

I have 2 jars made with vodka but am waiting for Xmas before I try them….. will let u know!

I grew a damson tree on my allotment.They are large ones so I do de-stone them, put them in a demi-John and a couple of chillies and a bottle of London Gin.Shake it all up and leave it for a few weeks swirling it about now and again then left to settle and clear. After which I decant it back into the gin bottle sampling on the way.The colour is beautiful the flavour delicious and it beats Bacardi equivalent hands down. Nice and warm. Don't over do the chillies. ps you put the chillies into any drink non alc or other for a warm refresher!

I made 6 batches of damson gin last year plus 1 damson brandy, 1 blackberry brandy and 4 sloe gin, all been opened for tasting last week and the flavour and aroma are just fantastic much better for leaving to mature, but I did remove the fruit after 16 weeks.
Any fruit and spirit can be used it`s all part of the fun in making your own.
I decorate in small bottles, gift wrap and use as presents.

I took a bottle of damson gin to a women's meeting and gave each member a shot of same. I wanted them to say whether the recipe could go into a special new recipe book The meeting was a very cheerful one and members felt they would probably need to taste it again at the next meeting before making a final sdecision. We shall see!

Hi All
Damson gin is very easy to spoil by putting too much sugar in the mix in the first place. You cannot take sugar out of a solution, but you can add it in afterwards.
To make Damson Gin.
Use a washed plastic 2 litre lemonade/water bottle.
Prick or slash damsons and half fill the bottle (approx 2lbs) Add 6oz of sugar
Add 1 70cl bottle of gin
Shake up.
Every day or so gently roll the bottle (dont be too rough as this can damage the skin on the damsons and cause a sediment)
Keep away from bright daylight and heat
After time, the resulting liquid will start to darken and mature. The longer you leave it the better it tastes. It will not go off as the alcohol and sugar act as preservatives.
If you start in September, it will be good by Christmas.
When you are ready to serve/bottle/make presents, have a taste. It could be too tart at this stage, add sugar to taste.
It will continue to mature in the bottle.
You dont need expensive kilner jars, bottles and paraphanalia.
Use the plastic only once and it will not taint the Damson Gin

Where can I get damson fruits in New Zealand? Preferably canterbury region

Sorry folks

It is the Slom 2 Ltr jars from Ikea that I am using, see link

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/10082806/

Ikea has a good selection of jars at resonable prices,

Pat

I have damson gin that's about 6 years old!! So so yummy

Damson's are plentiful in Auckland Vicki. Last season a person left 10 trees unpicked that I know.

I have been making Damson Gin now for three years as Sloes are unavailable in New Zealand. I have followed an old Sloe Gin recipe where you pierce the skin with a wooden toothpick. Maybe it is an 'old wives tale' not to use any metal to pierce the skin – who knows?
I have added brown and white sugar – not in the same bottle and cloves and cinnamon stick. Interesting flavours. The Damsons mature in February March in Auckland so now is my time to collect Damsons which I get from an orchard out Glenbrook way (for those that live in Auckland).