You can use both wild and cultivated berries when you make this schnapps. Cultivated berries are just as strong-flavoured as the wild ones. Just remember to pick or buy the berries when they are big, juicy and most ripe.
Pick also a couple of young, fresh black currant leaves and add them to the vodka. The leaves will enhance the wonderful berry flavours.
Direction:
Rinse black currant berries and leaves carefully.
Leave them to dry in the shadow - on paper towel.
If your berries are frozen - defrost them in the vodka.
Use a clean glass jar with tight-fitting lid.
Fill half the jar with berries - plus a couple of leaves.
Fill up with clear, unflavoured vodka - 40% alcohol content (80 proof).
Steep for 3-12 months in a dark place at room temperature, 18-20°C (64-68°F).
Shake lightly and taste it from time to time.
Strain and filter your infusion into a clean glass bottle or jar with tight-fitting lid.
You can serve your black currant schnapps after it has settled for a couple of days. Or you can store (age) it up to a couple of years in a dark place at room temperature before serving.
Note: If for some reason you are not satisfied with your infusion, there are ways to adjust both taste and flavours - click here to see how.
Serve your black currant schnapps at room temperature in suitable glasses. And remember to keep your schnapps bottle tightly closed and in a dark place before and between servings.