Blackberry Liqueur

A little late in the year to make this with fresh berries, but it does work just as well with frozen if you have any stashed away.

You need:

3 cups of fresh (or frozen) Blackberries
3 cups of Vodka - get the best you can afford
1 cup of Caster Sugar
1 cup of Water

Add the Sugar and Water to a pan and heat slowly until all the Sugar has dissolved. Allow to cool to room temerature

Now pour the Vodka into a large, clean glass container or decanter - for info, 3 Cups of Vodka is approx a 75cl bottle, give or take. Add the Sugar syrup and the Blackberries, taking care not to crush the berries. Cover with clingfilm and leave to infuse for at least 2 weeks. You can give it a stir every couple of days, but don't go wild and crush the fruit.

After 2 weeks, strain the drink through a fine muslin or cloth into bottles - 1 large or a couple of small. Resist the temptation to drink it right away, but leave it to sit for another couple of week if you can.

The colour is a really deep purple and it tastes great. This would make an ideal home made Christmas present.

Makes approx 1 litre.