So, we’ve been self isolating for 34 days and I’ve made our first batch of ‘bathtub’ gin – those two statements are obviously not linked!! The name bathtub gin comes from the US Prohibition era when the term was used to describe any illegally made alcoholic drink – the most popular being gin. The gin jugs were too big to fit under a sink tap (water was used to dilute the alcohol) hence the name bathtub gin. We’ve been talking about making gin for ages – now we have no excuse and on the basis it’s ridiculously easy I can see that it might become a great lockdown hobby! Just have to make sure we don’t drink it at the same rate I make it ….
The recipe I’ve given below was my own first experiment – juniper berries must be the main botanical but otherwise you can pretty much put in whatever botanicals or citrus peel you fancy. Cardamom gin is a bit more exciting than cardamom tea!
Equipment: clean empty bottle with stopper (sterilise using boiling water), funnel
Ingredients: 750ml vodka (at least 37.5% ABV), juniper berries, orange peel, coriander seeds, cardamom pods (bruise them for a stronger flavour).
After a week try your gin – use a strainer so you don’t get a glass full of berries, seeds and pods – if you want a stronger flavour, infuse for longer. Once you’re happy with the flavour strain into a clean bottle (or just sieve and serve!). It won’t be clear as you have to re-distill the gin, but the taste will be the same. Apparently if you put it through a Brita filter some of the colour can be removed; sounds like unnecessary hassle to me and there’s nothing wrong with the golden amber colour of this first cardamom gin batch!
Oh, this is more timely than you can imagine!! Thanks for the recipe for a medicinal I need in this season of ills.
I can’t believe I haven’t thought of doing this! You’re a genius! We could all unite for a gin tasting/reunion after all this is over
Sounds like a plan ….
A bit of fun in these very strange times … hope you are all safe and well and one day look forward to sharing a glass or two