| Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption |
| Treacodactyl |
Fancy a dram of something different?Our latest article, from Erikht, is well worth a read especially if you fancy making something special for Christmas. "The art of dram-making" can be found here: http://www.downsizer.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=159This is my first year making liqueurs and other experimental infusions and I now have a few more good ideas to try. I also prefer using vodka to gin to soak sloes so perhaps I have a bit of Viking in me? 
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| Erikht |
Well, you never know. If I should belive a rather bitter Irishman I met in Edinburgh once, most people from the British Isles got a bit of viking in them. Not my fault sober norwegians get luckier that dead-drunk irishmen  .
And a tip: if it's still leaves on the black currant bushes, make it, do! That dram will be ready for christmas. |
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| Treacodactyl |
I'm sure I could get enough to give it a try and we stocked up on a few bottles of vodka a few weeks back. In the article by 40% you mean 40% vol? Not sure where I can get anything stronger than 45% in the UK. | ||||
| Caplan |
Great ideas there in Erikht's article!
I agree with Treacodactyl that we'll struggle to get Vodka that strong as in the article but well worth a go with his recipes. Nice work! |
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| Erikht |
The bog myrtle dram that is in the main picture of the article is made with a vodka 37,5% in volume. You can use less strong vodkas if you wish.
Some berries, like black currants, give a lot of water to the drink. But if you want to drink it more like a frtified wine, that is not na problem. |
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| jema |
Great article 
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| Gertie |
[quote="Erikht"]Well, you never know. If I should belive a rather bitter Irishman I met in Edinburgh once, most people from the British Isles got a bit of viking in them. Not my fault sober norwegians get luckier that dead-drunk irishmen .
quote] My hubby (Lundy) is one such result! Er, Viking as opposed to dead-drunk Irish!!! 
Erikht - a very good, informative article. In the past I have tried making a few liqueurs but your article has given me inspiration - we have tons of rowan at the back of our house! 
Thank You. |
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| Fiveravens |
Are ye still slaughtering whales up there in Norway? 
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| Treacodactyl |
A small jar of black current leaves and vodka is on the shelf for it's first week.  Yesterday I started a small jar of chanterelles in vodka and I'm already impressed with 24hrs soaking. What to use the chanterelles for when I remove them from the spirit?
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| Erikht |
Why not put them in a chantrelle chutney? It's lovely! |
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| Erikht |
No, we practice catch and release these days.
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| N.V.M. |
what the ?? |
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| mark |
hmm - now as dublin was a major viking settlement - I often wondered if Dubliners were really more Viking than Celt! Same for people from the West Coast of Ireland! maybe a DNA study will tell us the truth one Day! |
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| @Calli |
Limerick was a viking settlement so my 6 yr old daughter tells me....But what has that got to do with dead drunk irishmen? they can be found all over the world......
'In heaven there aint no beer That's why we drink it here And when we're gone from here All our friends will be drinking all the beer' Pogues
Caught my daughter then aged four, marching around garden singing this at top of her voice word perfect...  Lived in Kerry then...
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| Cathryn |
Great article - I particularly liked the father in law comment. My entire family cannot take instruction either Does anyone know if it is possible to buy a bog myrtle? They grow wild on the RSPB reserve and presumably the rest of the bog near to us but I didn't like to sneak in and dig some up. It smells wonderful though and my garden has bog like tendencies.
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| cab |
Smashing article! | ||||
| Erikht |
If you can buy a plant, great. But don't buy the dried article. Bog Myrtle dram made with leaves that has dried for longer that a couple of days maximum, got a tendency to taste like hay. And my father in law....he just made 2 bottles of Tansy Bitter(common Tansy, Tanacetum vulgare L. ). Very proud. Had read the instructions for once, or so he claimed. And off course, two bottles means that if you like it, you got more, and if not, you can always push it. What he hadn't read, was the part that stated: "a strong essence. Mix with vodka, 1:20." He had just made the equivalent of 40 bottles of a dram he doesn't know if he likes or not.
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| Treacodactyl |
With a little help from Erik I've made a dram based on blackcurrant leaves after reading this article, it was drinkable by Christmas but is continuing to age well and I think will be great for next Christmas. All it contains is the liqueur left over from soaking blackcurrant leaves in vodka for a couple of weeks and then adding a tiny amount of sugar to the bottle. It started off very pale and is getting darker each time I try some. Anyone else made any? | ||||
| Erikht |
Nice colour! That will be a very good dram with some aging. | ||||
| Mr BlueSky |
Nice looking tipple. Could we have a link to the original article please? It seems to have disappeared.
EDIT: sorry .... I just found it 
http://www.downsizer.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=159 |