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Elderberry Schnapps

Elderberry schnapps - based on fully ripe, black elderberries - tastes almost like a good port wine. It's round and fruity with hints of almond, vanilla, and chocolate. The colour is deep purple.

Serve with ice creams, desserts, cakes, all kinds of cheese and cheesecakes.

Or add the schnapps to chutneys, marmalades, teas, pies, cake fillings, sauces and other dishes where you would normally use elderberry.

Very good as aperitif - or turned into a liqueur.

Elderberry schnapps blends very well with...

WARNING! Do not confuse Black Elder or Common Elder with Red Elder (Sambucus racemosa). RED elderberries are POISONOUS.

Recipe

Use fresh, black and fully ripe elderberries.

Pick them right after the first frost, or freeze them for a week or so before use. The frost makes the berries much sweeter.

Remember to defrost them in the vodka.

Cluster of black elderberries.

Direction:

  • Rinse the elderberries carefully and remove all stems.

  • Leave them to dry in the shadow - on paper towel.

  • Put 8 deciliter whole berries in a clean glass jar with tight-fitting lid.

  • Cover with 3-4 deciliter clear, unflavoured vodka - 40% alcohol content (80 proof).

  • Steep for 1-4 weeks or even more 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.

  • Store (age) it for at least 2 months 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 elderberry 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.