Christian Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 Can't wait to hear what it is like! I checked my Crab apples yesterday, pips still red so not ready yet. kate's was a 2007 vintage and was devine. If I leave mine that long, you'll have a bit of a wait It definitely improves with age . I have some sloe vodka which must be 5 years old at the back of the cupboard and that is going to be cracking stuff. Despite my reputation as the biggest forum boozer, I give more away than I drink so I have quite a lot of vintage stuff lurking . You keep telling yourself that. You aren't called 'Knock 'em back Kate' for nothing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 Thanks so much, Christian . I thought that nickname was supposed to be a secret . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 Oops, sorry! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ygerna Posted August 25, 2009 Share Posted August 25, 2009 OK, I will divulge my secrets as you liked it so much . It's basically the same method as you'd use for sloe gin or any of the fruity boozes and there is no need for any accurate measurements as each batch turns out slightly different anyway. Whatever fruit we have leftover gets a boozy treatment of some kind . Get a large glass lidded jar. Wash and chop your crab apples in half. You're looking to half fill the jar with them. Add 8oz sugar and top up the jar right to the top with Brandy - cheap brandy will do nicely. Put the jar in a cool dark place (I don't follow my own advice and keep mine on top of the fridge/freezer ), shake jar daily for a fornight then leave it for as long as you can bear with the crab apples steeping in the brandy. When you're ready to bottle it, strain it first through a plastic sieve then through butter muslin/old pillowcase/old napkin into clean/sterilised bottles. Then sit back and enjoy.................. . Your crab apple tree looks lovely! We planted one when we moved in here 15 years ago and it's a beautiful tree now, absolutely plastered with crab apples! Is yours Malus "John Downie"? Could I use a plastic lidded container instead? I dont have a glass one thats big enough? (Sorry, I seem to be Mrs Million-Questions today ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted August 25, 2009 Share Posted August 25, 2009 Yes, plastic would be fine too. I can't see any reason why it wouldn't work just as well . Must get some going myself as my crab apples are starting to fall now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LesleyH Posted August 25, 2009 Share Posted August 25, 2009 I wish I'd read this thread earlier...we have a jonh downie crab apple tree and now have about 25 jars of crab apple jelly!!! It is fantastic and we have made it the last 3 years...but next year watch out - crab apple brandy here I come!!!! I made raspberry vodka last year and have got some 2 year old lemon gin brewing...determined to leave it for the recommended 3 years! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ygerna Posted August 25, 2009 Share Posted August 25, 2009 Yes, plastic would be fine too. I can't see any reason why it wouldn't work just as well . Must get some going myself as my crab apples are starting to fall now. woohoo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ygerna Posted August 25, 2009 Share Posted August 25, 2009 I wish I'd read this thread earlier...we have a jonh downie crab apple tree and now have about 25 jars of crab apple jelly!!! It is fantastic and we have made it the last 3 years...but next year watch out - crab apple brandy here I come!!!! I made raspberry vodka last year and have got some 2 year old lemon gin brewing...determined to leave it for the recommended 3 years! Now *rubs hands together* tell me about Lemon Gin..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LesleyH Posted August 25, 2009 Share Posted August 25, 2009 Lemon Gin: get 1 litre gin 4 unwaxed lemons 200g sugar peel lemons with potato peeler, careful not to s"Ooops, word censored!"e the white pith - just the yellow skin empty out some gin to make room (put in a jug) put lemons and sugar in bottle and top back up with gin keep in dark place and shake as often as possible (it was suggested the boot of a car and mine was there for some time to help shake shake shake) I am told 3 years is the magic number - I made mine 2 years ago so I will let you know next year! you can drink the gin that won't fit back in the bottle - mine lasted about 10 minutes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperwife Posted August 25, 2009 Share Posted August 25, 2009 hmmmm, now that sounds rather yummy ill make some tomorrow ive just make bramble vodka 3/4 kilner jar of blackberries 1 cup sugar (ish) top up with vodka shake leave until you really cant resist any more , it should go a rather wonderul deep red colour cathy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ygerna Posted August 25, 2009 Share Posted August 25, 2009 Where do you get Kilner jars from please Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperwife Posted August 25, 2009 Share Posted August 25, 2009 Tesco sell them (or something similar if you have a big supermarket type thing near, they should sell them too I think that lakeland sells them too (but more expensive than tesco) and Wilkinsons also I have also been known to use huge pickling jars (like the ones that working mens clubs always have pickled eggs and gurkins in them) infact, any large jar would work hope this is helpful cathy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LesleyH Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 you can get cheap ones from ikea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy chickens! Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 I would go easy on the plastic - I find that it can easily leach a funny taste into the alcohol if you're intending to leave it for a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 alcohol can dissolve plastic and you may end up poisoning yourself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 alcohol can dissolve plastic and you may end up poisoning yourself Really . I didn't know that, Poet. Would that affect the brandy if it was only kept in the plastic container for a couple of weeks then strain off the crab apples and bottle ready for use or would that still be too long to use plastic containers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 I don't know Kate, we just don't do it. I believe the alcohol reacts with the oils in the plastic and starts to break them down so we just don't store alcohol in plastic bottles full stop. You'd probably have to ask a scientist I'm afraid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Crumbs! I'll stick to my kilner jars, I think! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ygerna Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Crumbs! I'll stick to my kilner jars, I think! me too, well, as soon as I get some that is ETA plenty of time to save for some. I don't think my CA's are EVER going to ripen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted August 28, 2009 Share Posted August 28, 2009 you can get cheap ones from ikea Be careful of the seals on these, mine didn't seal properly & I had to ditch a load of peaches in brandy Why not go into a local restaurant & ask if they could keep you their huge mustard etc jars.....our chef uses mustard in kilner jars and I think the olives come in them too....I have quite a selection sitting waiting for grog to be poured into Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LesleyH Posted August 29, 2009 Share Posted August 29, 2009 YIPPEE - I found a bursting john downie crab apple tree in Glastonbury in the church yard on the main street. I now have a jar of crab apple brandy! I am in eager anticipation for next year... when it's ready to make another lot I will be rewarded with this lot...perfect (only a year to wait....hmmmmph ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barkisland Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 Just bumping this thread up as I am going to make some this week. I've just returned from holiday with some DF Brandy and ordered some nice big Kilner jars for the purpose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
