Cherry gin recipe/Credit: Jason Ingram

Cherry gin

Gin fans will love this festive alternative to your classic G&T by chef and food writer Claire Thomson.

Claire Thomson

Published: December 14, 2022 at 2:21 pm

After steeping the fruit in the gin, the trick is to create a syrup by macerating the fruit for several days. You can then sweeten this deeply flavoured syrup further if you like before adding it into the gin – delicious. You can also use sloes for this recipe.

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Shaped hanging ornaments to act as Christmas decorations on sale at Lincoln Christmas market. They are in the shape of stars, christmas trees, angels and hearts/Credit: Getty

Ingredients

1lt gin
200g cherries (I used frozen, defrosted)
2 strips unwaxed lemon peel
75g Sugar for the leftover fruit

Method

Step 1
Add the gin, cherries and lemon zest to a large Kilner jar or suitable container. Leave for at least two weeks, more is fine, shaking every now and then.
Step 2
Strain the liquid back into the original gin bottle. Reserve the strained fruit and put it into a jar. Add the sugar and give it a good shake. Leave this to macerate for at least three days, up to a week, shaking it daily.
Step 3
The syrup that forms from the fruit is intensely flavoured; add this syrup to the gin in the bottle, sweetening to your liking.

Image: Jason Ingram

Claire Thomson is a chef and food writer, and almost always in the kitchen. Discover more seasonal recipes ideas: 5oclockapron.com