This is the French aperitif Vin d’Epine made from the shoots and new leaves of the blackthorn (sloe) bush giving a subtle almond flavoured aperitif. In my previous video I made it with rose wine and vodka. In this edition, I am infusing red wine and brandy for a darker more powerful drink.
Mix the ingredients below together in a large Kilner jar or tupperware and leave in a cool dark place for 2-3 weeks, then bottle and drink: neat like a port or mix with sparkling water (or Prosecco!!), ice and fruit slice for a long summer aperitif.
– Red wine x 1 bottle
– Brandy x 175ml (or more if you like it powerful)
– Blackthorn shoots & leaves about 70-80g (about a quarter of a carrier bag full)
– Sugar 100g
– Botanicals e.g. orange and/or lemon zest, root ginger, juniper berries, clove, cinnamon stick, star anise…whatever you fancy…
…but I would go easy as you down’t want to overpower the subtle almond flavour…but it’s up to you. In this batch I used about 15g of sliced root ginger, the peeled zest of 1 orange and about 6 juniper berries.
Cheers!!