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Elderberry as a botanical
Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2023 12:32 pm
by thepopeofantelope
I can't find anyone using elderberries in a botanical list. I picked up an ounce today before searching. I was thinking of making Odin's gin with 5 grams. Am I wasting precious NGS?
Re: Elderberry as a botanical
Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2023 12:53 pm
by MooseMan
I make a lot of wine with them, but have never tried them as a botanical in gin.
I'd imagine they would be better off as a post distillation maceration botanical? Think "Sloe Gin" maybe?
Re: Elderberry as a botanical
Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2023 1:56 pm
by still_stirrin
MooseMan wrote: ↑Sun Nov 19, 2023 12:53 pm
I make a lot of wine with them, but have never tried them as a botanical in gin.
I'd imagine they would be better off as a post distillation maceration botanical? Think "Sloe Gin" maybe?
+1 MooseMan. I think they’d be a great maceration. Elderberries are not as sweet as grapes, yet have a nice “earthy” flavor. So, it might require a little “back sweetening” after maceration. But, I would make a neutral and use the berries to flavor it after distillation. That’s my thoughts, for what it’s worth.
ss
Re: Elderberry as a botanical
Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2023 2:05 pm
by thepopeofantelope
Ok, I added 40g elderberries and 3g lemon peel to 200ml of my base gin recipe. I'll filter in a month and post findings and adjustments.
Re: Elderberry as a botanical
Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2023 2:42 pm
by MooseMan
still_stirrin wrote: ↑Sun Nov 19, 2023 1:56 pm
MooseMan wrote: ↑Sun Nov 19, 2023 12:53 pm
I make a lot of wine with them, but have never tried them as a botanical in gin.
I'd imagine they would be better off as a post distillation maceration botanical? Think "Sloe Gin" maybe?
+1 MooseMan. I think they’d be a great maceration. Elderberries are not as sweet as grapes, yet have a nice “earthy” flavor. So, it might require a little “back sweetening” after maceration. But, I would make a neutral and use the berries to flavor it after distillation. That’s my thoughts, for what it’s worth.
ss
still_stirrin after replying I thought, I kinda wish I'd saved a half kilo from the summer, to do a maceration with myself!
Look forward to your post once you've filtered it Pope. One thing I can promise, it will be a lovely colour!
Re: Elderberry as a botanical
Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2023 3:40 pm
by Bradster68
My wife loves elder"flower" in her vodka.
We have a bush near our rental cabin, but something’s nabbing the berries before we get there. Maybe one day I'll net it and play around.
Re: Elderberry as a botanical
Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2023 2:41 am
by Demy
I use elderflower as an ingredient in one of my liqueurs, it has an excellent scent....I've never used elderberries...curious about the results
Re: Elderberry as a botanical
Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2023 2:34 pm
by NormandieStill
Bradster68 wrote: ↑Sun Nov 19, 2023 3:40 pm
My wife loves elder"flower" in her vodka.
We have a bush near our rental cabin, but something’s nabbing the berries before we get there. Maybe one day I'll net it and play around.
Are you sure it's not you? If you take all the flowers you won't get any berries!
MooseMan wrote: ↑Sun Nov 19, 2023 2:42 pm
still_stirrin after replying I thought, I kinda wish I'd saved a half kilo from the summer, to do a maceration with myself!
I just found a couple of bags in the freezer. I'll have to take a good look though, I think I picked them back in 2021!
Re: Elderberry as a botanical
Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2023 2:58 pm
by MooseMan
NormandieStill wrote: ↑Mon Nov 20, 2023 2:34 pm
MooseMan wrote: ↑Sun Nov 19, 2023 2:42 pm
still_stirrin after replying I thought, I kinda wish I'd saved a half kilo from the summer, to do a maceration with myself!
I just found a couple of bags in the freezer. I'll have to take a good look though, I think I picked them back in 2021!
Well that's a very timely find you lucky devil!
How about putting on a gin maceration for us NS?
Re: Elderberry as a botanical
Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2023 7:58 pm
by Bradster68
NormandieStill wrote: ↑Mon Nov 20, 2023 2:34 pm
Bradster68 wrote: ↑Sun Nov 19, 2023 3:40 pm
My wife loves elder"flower" in her vodka.
We have a bush near our rental cabin, but something’s nabbing the berries before we get there. Maybe one day I'll net it and play around.
Are you sure it's not you? If you take all the flowers you won't get any berries!
MooseMan wrote: ↑Sun Nov 19, 2023 2:42 pm
still_stirrin after replying I thought, I kinda wish I'd saved a half kilo from the summer, to do a maceration with myself!
I just found a couple of bags in the freezer. I'll have to take a good look though, I think I picked them back in 2021!
Lol. That's very interesting
. But no. We see the flowers then the berries disappear a short time after . No way my wife could be that sneaky
Re: Elderberry as a botanical
Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2023 8:00 pm
by Bradster68
Demy wrote: ↑Mon Nov 20, 2023 2:41 am
I use elderflower as an ingredient in one of my liqueurs, it has an excellent scent....I've never used elderberries...curious about the results
Just had a few vodka elderflower drinks tonight. Very nice
. But no. We see the flowers then the berries disappear a short time after . No way my wife could be that sneaky 