[lord flynn]

I have a small amount of black currants that are almost ready. Not sure I want to do jam with them but what else could I do? (anything with alcohol would be nice  ). I was given some gooseberries but not sure if I could combine them in any way?

[doganjo]

Cheap gin, vodka or whisky even - cover them, add the same weight of sugar to berries. Put in a plastic box, shake every day, strain after at least a month, bottle, and enjoy.

Can be done with any fruit and any spirit.  Be warned it's potent

[clydesdaleclopper]

I cook them up and push them through a sieve then freeze in ice cube trays. It's lovely popped into sparkling water or I add it to ice cream, yoghurt etc

[pgkevet]

I had a few pounds of bcurrants this year ..some frozen, some got made into sorbet and some just stewed with minimal sugar and eaten (I like it sharp)
I did have some in brandy in past years.
Biggest nuisance is bearding them all.

[Carse Goodlifers]

We have made a sorbet in the past which was very nice.
Ideal for those long hot summer days

[lord flynn]

Ideal for those long hot summer days

that's sarcasm right? 


thanks for the ideas folks, think I am going to go with the gin and the ice cube idea this year   

[doganjo]

The liqueur can be poured over ice cream fro a really special dessert - yum 

[Carse Goodlifers]

Ideal for those long hot summer days

that's sarcasm right?  ......

No, I'm being serious   
The shorts are on - summer is here.....although its getting darker outside. Anyone fancy their bets that its going to be

[Kimbo]

You are all lucky to even have blackcurrants. My hens ate every single  one 

[Possum]

What about cassis? Then you can make kir royale. I've got a recipe somewhere. Will look it out and post it.

[doganjo]

Kir is white wine and cassis, Kir royal is fizzy white wine (or cava or champagne) and cassis - I LOVE it so please post that recipe for Cassis.

[benkt]

I've done blackcurrant wine before - either on its own or with a little redcurrant, blackberry or elderberry depending on what other fruit I had knocking around at the same time. It's fab!

[cloddopper]

Make black current juice then turn it into wine  at the end of each fermentation stage rack it off into a clean steril container then add another 1/4 pint of warm sugar syrup to the must ,stir it in to get the alcohol levels up. Do that till the fermentation stops working ( often four or five  1/4 pint additions ) Add a pint  bottle of quality brandy  to each gallon to give it some depth .

 This makes as near as dammit a German liqueur black currant called Schwartz Kat ( Black cat ) treat it with respect don't drink & drive it as it's likely to b able to reach 27 % proof if you use a Tokay wine yeast or a Burgundy or Port wine yeast
 There should be no need to " stop " the finished wine as the sugar & alcohol levels are so high that they won't allow it to grow any more .
 If you rack it off after six & again12 months the wine should be left to stand in bulk in a cool dark place for another year , then you will have a fantastic deep polished dark red liqueur .
 T'is a pity I'm now diabetic & don't drink any alcohol anymore, as I used to really enjoy making my own wines , country wines ,  liqueurs and beers for the family and friends as well as for our own use .

[Blondie]

I picked my black currants yesterday. I literally had about 16.

Hopefully have a better harvest next year! 

[pgkevet]

That's a late harvest. Mine all got picked a month ago.. with a couple of Kg in the freezer too. it;s the reds and white the birds ate (again)