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Produce => Recipes => Topic started by: tomatoada on July 06, 2009, 17:00:54

Title: blackcurrrent surplus/drink
Post by: tomatoada on July 06, 2009, 17:00:54
Has anyone a quick easy recipe to make blackcurrents in to a drink?  I tried googling but they looked a bit complicated.  I would not need to keep it long.
Title: Re: blackcurrrent surplus/drink
Post by: manicscousers on July 06, 2009, 19:01:50
I just sweat them down, with a small amount of water, mash with a potato masher and strain, add sugar or sweetener to the liquid and cool..dilute with sparkling water or lemonade  :)
this keeps in the fridge for a week or so
Title: Re: blackcurrrent surplus/drink
Post by: daileg on July 06, 2009, 19:11:30
mmm like the sound of that
Title: Re: blackcurrrent surplus/drink
Post by: tomatoada on July 06, 2009, 19:36:09
Many thanks.  Like the tip about the potato masher.
Title: Re: blackcurrrent surplus/drink
Post by: tomatoada on July 11, 2009, 13:21:58
Thanks it worked and I made the next lot into b/c jelly in the M/W.  No messing with pans and muslin.
Title: Re: blackcurrrent surplus/drink
Post by: Obelixx on July 23, 2009, 14:59:04
We have had kilos of kilos in our biggest bumper crop ever.  Some have gone to make blackcurrant liqueur - soak in brandy or eau de vie for 2 months then add sugar to taste and bottle - some is making blackcurrant vinegar - soak for 5 days then strain, boil and add sugar -  some have made standard blackcurrant jelly, some have just been frozen for future crumbles and pies and the rest have been used to make loads of spiced blackcurrant jelly for serving with game, pork and in sauces.  Yum.
Title: Re: blackcurrrent surplus/drink
Post by: tomatoada on July 23, 2009, 15:42:21
And I cut of the branches with fruit so pruning the bushes.  Avery useful tip.
Title: Re: blackcurrrent surplus/drink
Post by: Ishard on July 23, 2009, 16:14:11
Blackcurrant syrup

Ingredients:
1kg blackcurrants and no need to "top and tail"
600ml water
375 grms granulated sugar per 600ml of juice

Method:
Bring water to the boil with the blackcurrants. Boil for 1 minute then crush berries with spud basher or mixer. Put all into jelly bag/muslin/tea towel  and allow to drain for 24 hours into a large container. After that time squeeze the last remaining juice.

Measure the quantity of juice obtained and add 375grms sugar to every 600ml of juice. Stir mixture without heating. Then strain again in a clean jelly bag/muslin/tea towel.


Then put into clean sterilized bottles bottles. Sterilize with baby bottle sterilizer

As there is so much sugar in this recipe that the syrup can be saved in the fridge for quite a while.

The recipe can also be used for other soft fruits
Title: Re: blackcurrrent surplus/drink
Post by: mat on July 23, 2009, 16:30:13
Quote from: Ishard on July 23, 2009, 16:14:11
As there is so much sugar in this recipe that the syrup can be saved in the fridge for quite a while.

Ishard; I assume if the bottles are sealed they don't need to remain in a fridge until opening?  Is this correct?

mat
Title: Re: blackcurrrent surplus/drink
Post by: Ishard on July 23, 2009, 19:46:54
Mat Ive always kept mine in the fridge or freezer so I really cant advise you, sorry.

To freeze the syrup easily;

get some food grade plastic bags, the size of a jug you own.

Place the plastic bag in the jug and fill up the bag with the syrup then freeze in the jug. When frozen remove bag from jug and date.

You can if you wish use any sort of box to aid storage in the freezer afterwards as they stack better.

The syrup tastes just as nice when its defrosted but the colour may not be so vibrant.
Title: Re: blackcurrrent surplus/drink
Post by: mat on July 23, 2009, 19:57:59
Thanks Ishard.  Unfortuantely I have no spare freezer space available (or space to put a seperate freezer) so preserving now has to be via other methods!