Christmas Fruit Cake Gin Recipe

If you have been following my blog you will know that I purchased a baby still and have been experimenting with making my own gin blends as well as infusing them with fruit from my garden. This Christmas Fruit Cake Gin recipe is a great way to make a special liqueur at the same time as you make a fruit cake (my favourite is Pineapple Fruit Cake). Basically you are soaking all the dried fruit and spices in alcohol first – making a delicious tasting gin (or vodka if you prefer) and then use the boozy fruit in your fruit cake. You can swap out whatever dried fruit you like using and of course any combination of spices that you like too. You can drink the gin straight as a liqueur or it is delicious served with ginger ale.

300g mixed dried fruit (sultanas, currants, raisins, cranberries)
75g caster sugar
2 cinnamon sticks
2 tsp ground mixed spice
6 cloves
½ whole nutmeg, finely grated
zest of a lemon (or orange or lime)
750ml gin (or vodka)

Weigh the dried fruit and sugar, and place into a large jar.

Add spices and zest, then add the gin. Shake well.

Leave for 3 days in a dark cupboard, shaking each day.

Line a sieve with a double layer of cheesecloth and place over a large, clean jug.

Pour the dried fruit and gin mixture into the sieve and allow to drip through into the jug.

Pour gin into a sterilized bottle.

Use the boozy fruit to make your favourite fruit cake.