| Prep: 30 mins | Cook: 48 hours (steeping period) | Difficulty: Easy | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 330 | 0g | 0g | 22g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 22g | 1g | 0g | 0g |
Growing up amongst the stunning beauty of Montana and its rich, varied food culture has left an indelible imprint on me, Lucas, your Gourmet Guru. However, today, I’m taking a detour from my usual recipes to share one that’s a bit of a departure from bison burgers and huckleberry pies. This, my dear gastronomes, is the Homemade Juniper Berry Gin, a concoction that’s delectable, aromatic and as thrilling as a Montana meadow in full bloom.
A Capacious Blend of Ingredients
The timeless beauty of this gin begins with the infusion of juniper berries, a staple in Native American traditional cuisine. Right at my Montana home’s steps, these little smoked-blue gems are aplenty. Yet, their usage is not limited to our indigenous berry pies but spans a diverse range of foods and beverages. These berries, blended with high proof gin, give the homemade concoction not just an ethereal depth of flavor, but also a health kick. After all, juniper berries are known to aid digestion and reduce inflammation. Add a little sugar, some water, zests of fresh lemon, strips of zesty orange peel, a medley of spices, and voila – we have a gin that is truly a labor of love and a toast to health.
More than Just a Beverage
Homemade Juniper Berry Gin, I assure you is more than just an exquisite drink. This recipe is reminiscent of classic European flavoured spirits, like the Sloe Gin of England or Schnapps from Germany. But it brings forth a uniquely American twist, one that’s directly inspired by the culinary influences that have shaped me. I imagine it paired perfectly with a hearty venison steak or simply served over ice as a lone evening treat right under the vast Montana sky.
Believe it or not, the allure of this gin is not just in its flavor. The entire process of preparing it, from foraging the juniper berries picking to mixing the ingredients, and patiently awaiting the magic to unfold, is nostalgically therapeutic. It’s a reminder of the simpler, slower pace of life in Montana, away from all the bustle.
So next time you pour a glass of Homemade Juniper Berry Gin, savor more than just its taste. Take a moment to appreciate the blended richness of indigenous American traditions, the spirit of the Montana ranchers, and the overarching unity in diversity that distinguishes American gastronomy.
What You’ll Need
- 1 1/2 cups of juniper berries
- 4 cups of high proof gin
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
- 1 cup of water
- 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon zest
- 6 large strips of orange peel
- 6 peppercorns
- 6 allspice berries
- 6 dried red chilies
- 6 cardamom pods
Method
Step One
Firstly, you need to gather all of your ingredients. You should be able to find all of these at your local grocery store or online. Make sure you have 1 1/2 cups of juniper berries, 4 cups of high proof gin, 1 cup of granulated sugar, 1 cup of water, 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon zest, and 6 of each of the following: large strips of orange peel, peppercorns, allspice berries, dried red chilies, and cardamom pods.
Step Two
Next, take your juniper berries and lightly crush them to release their flavor. You don’t want to grind them into a powder, just enough to break the skin and expose the inner parts of the berries. Do this using a mortar and pestle or the flat of a knife. Make sure to collect all the bits and pieces.
Step Three
Add the crushed juniper berries to your gin. Then add the orange peel, lemon zest, cardamom pods, allspice berries, dried chilies, and peppercorns. Stir everything together to distribute the ingredients evenly throughout the gin.
Step Four
Take your sugar and water and without stirring, heat them over medium heat in a small saucepan. Keep an eye on it, you want the sugar to dissolve into a simple syrup. Once completely dissolved, remove from the heat and let it cool off.
Step Five
Add the cooled simple syrup to your gin mixture and stir thoroughly until well mixed.
Step Six
Transfer your mixture into a large jar or bottle, seal, and store it in a cool, dark place for at least two weeks. During these two weeks, the juniper and other ingredients will infuse the gin with their flavors. You might want to give the jar a gentle shake every now and then to agitate the ingredients.
Step Seven
After two weeks, strain the gin using a sieve or cheesecloth. Discard the solid ingredients, and transfer the gin to a clean, sealable bottle or jar.
Step Eight
Enjoy your homemade juniper berry gin. You can drink it on its own, use it in cocktail recipes, or give it as a homemade gift to friends and family.
