Plum Gin

[Anna Stox]

hi folks,

I made three bottles of plum gin yesterday afternoon/evening. I used plums whcih I had picked off the tree (bless the freecylcler who offered access to their tree!) and I was careful to try and only use the whole undamaged fruit (I had plenty to pick from).

Today I noticed that several looked very 'brown' already as shown in picture below. I expected some discolouration but this doesn't look so good! Would this suggest they had been bruised or damaged in some other way? Should I leave them in or are they ok left?

btw I have now decanted this lot into a smaller jar so that it is full. The other two jars, both of which were full to the brim, also had the slightly brown looking fruit.

Any advice gratefully recieved!

Best wishes,
Anna

[Two_Sheds]

Did you prick or pierce those plums to let the juice out Anna?

[Anna Stox]

Yes, quite a few times with a fork. It's the form holes which look like tears in the browner plum.

[Glutton4...]

The discolouration is just the start of the process, nothing to worry about. However, with big fruit, such as Plums, I would quarter them, and removed the stones. I think that would speed up the process. You can use damaged fruit, but cut out the blemishes first.

[Two_Sheds]

^ oh yeah. I thought they were bruises, but they're fork marks. Should be OK then.

I've just read G4's comment: when I make plum wine, the stones come out, otherwise they can leave a bitterness in the wine

[Glutton4...]

We have a glut of fruit round here this year - best I go stock up on cheep Gin!

[Anna Stox]

Hurrah! Thanks for the advice everyone.

Have to say, I was quite surprise at how much even own brand gin seemed to have risen in price.

[Two_Sheds]

I've made these drinks with Aldi's £4 spirit (you need to adjust the sugar though because there's already some in it)

[Anna Stox]

Two Sheds - I went in Lidl (nearest Aldi is miles away), but the cheapest they did was almost £10. I was shocked! Ended up paying £9 similar for Tesco's own brand. Want to make plum brandy next (have heard you can re-use gin soaked plums), so will keep my eye on Aldi and pre-stock.

[binley100]

I was told by a guy who has a business selling fruit gins (at the EGshow) that fruit like damsons, sloes ,plums if you use them from frozen you do not need to prick them as they break down as they defrost in the alcohol. Also stones left in are ok as long as the fruit is not sitting the alcohol for longer than about 3 months.

[Glutton4...]

I always freeze my Sloes first - it started as I didn't have any Gin when I picked the Sloes, but I have continued to do it, as pricking a million Sloes is a booooooooooo-ooooooring and tedious job!