Creme De Mure Substitute Recipes

BLACKBERRY LIQUEUR (CRÈME DE MÛRE)

Steps:

• Pick over the blackberries and remove any stalks or leaves. Tip into a large ceramic or glass bowl and pour over the wine. Use a potato masher to crush the fruit into the wine. Cover with a tea towel and leave to macerate in a cool place for 2 days, mashing occasionally.
• Pour the mixture through a plastic sieve, then pass again through the sieve or a colander lined with a square of muslin to remove any bits. 3 Tip the juice into a pan and add the sugar. Heat gently, stirring until the sugar has dissolved, then simmer for 5 mins. Leave to cool, then stir in the vodka or gin. Using a small jug, pour into bottles, then seal and label. It's ready to use straight away. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight for up to 1 year.

BLACKBERRY BRAMBLE

Steps:

• Fill a rocks glass with crushed ice.
• To a cocktail shaker, add additional ice, gin, and lemon juice.
• Shake quickly and pour over the crushed ice in the rocks glass.
• Drizzle the crème de mûre over the back of a bar spoon to achieve a marbled effect.
• Drizzle the blueberry syrup over the back of a bar spoon to achieve the same effect.
• Garnish with blackberries and serve immediately.

HOMEMADE BLACKBERRY LIQUEUR (CRèME DE MûRE)

Steps:

• Put the blackberries in a large glass or ceramic bowl and pour over the red wine. Use a potato masher to mash the berries and release the berries.
• Cover with a clean towel and leave to macerate for 48 hours in a cool place* - give the berries a little mash every now and then if you remember!
• Strain through a wire mesh sieve to remove the berries, then strain again through cheese cloth to ensure all seeds etc are out.
• Pour into a large saucepan and add the sugar. Bring to a gentle simmer on a medium heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Simmer for 8 minutes.
• Remove from heat and stir in the vodka or gin, and then leave to cool completely.
• Pour into clean, preferably sterilised, bottles.
• Store in cool, dark place. It can be enjoyed immediately, but will keep almost indefinitely if in sterilised bottles - if not, then about a year.