This recipe was originally posted in 2013 but this Cranberry Infused Gin is still a firm favourite during the festive period. Find out how to make it below.
Homemade Gifts
Personally, I think that homemade gifts are the best kind! After all, Christmas is a time for loving and sharing, and what better way to show someone you love them, then by making them something special just for them!
Are you sharing any of your special talents this Christmas in order to put a smile on your friends’ and family’s faces? Are you knitting, sewing or cooking up a storm in your kitchen making homemade gifts? I’d love to hear all about it in the comments!
One of the simplest Christmas gifts to make also one of my favourites – Cranberry Infused Gin! I get my love of gin from my Dad and somehow along the way I managed to convince my best friend just how awesome gin is too and we spend many an evening setting the world to rights with a gin and tonic in hand.
With this in mind I couldn’t think of anything better to gift than a bottle of Christmas Gin flavoured with cranberries, citrus fruit (orange or grapefruit works best) and star anise.
How to make infused gin
Infusing gin (or any unflavoured spirit) is easy. All you need to do is add your fresh fruit and spices to the gin and leave to infuse. Yes, it really is that simple.
How long you leave it to infuse will impact how strong the flavours become. I recommend a week before gifting.
One thing to be mindful of is that if fresh fruits and other ingredients are not submerged in the spirit then they do risk going bad. If you don't want to risk this happening then make the infused gin in a clean container for a week and then strain into sterilised bottles without the fresh ingredients.
The Recipe
Cranberry Gin with grapefruit and star anise
Ingredients
- 500 grams cranberries fresh
- 1 small grapefruit peel only
- 2 star anise
- 750 millilitres gin
Instructions
- Sterilise your bottles by washing them in hot soapy water, rinsing and then placing in an oven on a low heat until completely dry.
- Allow to cool before piercing each individual cranberry and placing in the bottles.
- Add the grapefruit peel and star anise before covering with the gin.
- Seal the bottle and leave to infuse.
- After just a few days you will see the gin go from being perfectly clear to pink and then bright red!
- Serve chilled on ice with high quality tonic water.
Notes
Nutrition
More festive tipples
The Christmas recipe archive
For more festive recipes check out the Christmas recipe archive.
Jen @ Blue Kitchen Bakes says
Cranberry and cinnamon gin sounds amazing, I actually need to get round to making some cranberry booze this year!
efwalt says
Do it! You won't regret it 🙂
kate @veggie desserts says
I love this!!! So gorgeous, so gin-filled! I would be thrilled to give or get this as a gift.
Emma Walton says
Thanks Kate! I have given it as a gift lots of times and made quite a few people very happy on Christmas morning. This year I have made the bottle all for myself! No sharing!
Janie says
I don't 'get' gin, at all. But it sounds like you taught your best mate to enjoy it, maybe I need to try harder! 😀
Janie x
Emma Walton says
Haha the key is that they are all so different Jane. Often people turn their noses up at the spicy, peppery gins and find the much lighter, fresher, citrusy gins more palatable! Tonic water cam be iff putting too. Start off with gin in cocktails and go from there!
Claire @foodiequine says
Well you know how much I LOVE Gin so this is totally up my street! Festive Mother's Ruin.
Emma Walton says
Thanks Claire! It really is tasty too! If only I could have cranberry gin all year round...
All That I'm Eating says
This sounds like such a good combination! I often infuse gin so I will need to remember this one!
Emma Walton says
Do you have any other recommendations? Always looking for ways to jazz up my gin! Keep an eye out over the next few weeks because I have an exciting gin and pine cocktail coming!
Janice says
This looks so festive! I love cranberries and this is definitely a taste of Christmas.
Elizabeth Alesi says
Hello, How long will this last on the shelf? Will the cranberries get mold on them if they float to the top or is the idea to drink it all in a short time?
Emma says
Hi Elizabeth, I've had mine in the cupboard for 3 months no issues. Give it a good shake and a jiggle and it should be fine!
Mary cahill says
Love love it, can you have this as hot drink, it loves beautiful thank you
Emma says
Hi Mary
You absolutely could have it hot! If hot boozy drinks are what you like why not try mulled vermouth or glogg!
Rochelle says
Can you make this as a kit for gifts with Dried fruit and they add their own gin? What would be the ratio?
Emma says
Hi Rochelle
I'm afraid I've not tried with dried fruit. I find dried cranberries are often sweeter so not sure you'd get the same flavour.