For those of you who follow me over on Instagram, you might have noticed that I make my own gin. It’s super easy and I LOVE the results. I like the strong earthy, botanical flavors of gin. I add a combo of juniper, rosemary, citrus, cardamom, you name it, I probably put it in my gin. And then you mix some tonic and a fresh lime. Devine! I first discovered homemade gin via instagram and then did a google search for how to make it. I didn’t realize that it was so easy. But I can’t find the exact recipe I used and I don’t always follow the same recipe but here is the basic recipe I use and then change according to what I have on hand and my timing.
Homemade Gin–yields one 750mL bottle
1 750mL bottle of vodka
2 tbsp. juniper berries
3/4 tsp. coriander seeds
3 cardamom seeds, broken
2 bay leaves
5 allspice berries
3 whole peppercorns
3 strips fresh lemon peel
3 strips fresh orange peel
pinch of fennel seeds
2-3 whole cloves
pinch of cumin seeds
Combine vodka and juniper berries in a jar (see note below on jars) for approximately 36 hours. Soak longer if you want a stronger juniper taste. After 36 hours, or however long you plan to soak the vodka and juniper, add all the other ingredients. Let this all soak for approximately 3 weeks. Then strain and enjoy! The gin will not be clear. You can filter it if you have the proper tools to do that. I don’t and I don’t mind my gin taking on the colors of the spices.
I find that if you use a wide mouth canning jar it makes the process of straining much easier. The first time I made gin, I used a small neck bottle that I was planning to use for the gin and had a devil of a time getting the lemon and orange peels out. Then I got smart on round 2 and used a canning jar. So much easier! And you’ll want to find and/or save fun bottles to store your gin in.
Also, as you can see the recipe is pretty exact and I’m not much for exact measurements so I add however much I think I will like. There is really no exact way to make gin. You can add fresh lavender and rosemary. I add rosemary to mine. I’ve used both dried and fresh, depending on what I have on hand. You can add different citrus, such as grapefruit. You can also used ground versions of some of the ingredients above. It took me forever to find coriander seeds and cumin seeds. I also make a larger bottle so I double some of the ingredients. I’ve also soaked the juniper berries for 3 weeks and then added the rest of the ingredients and soaked for another 3 weeks. I think the bottom line is, have fun! Experiment! And then enjoy! You are going to have so much fun I can’t wait to hear all about your experimenting!